1000 percent
Encyclopedia
1000 percent is a catchphrase in common use in the U.S. in the mid 20th century meaning extreme action or highly enthusiastic support. For example, novelist Truman Capote
wrote, "Prison is where she belongs. And my husband agrees one thousand percent." Playwright Loring Mandel
wrote, "Those coal people, those pinball people. I want them behind us a thousand percent."
It was most famously used by Democratic Presidential candidate George McGovern
in 1972. It backfired badly and became a byword for foolish and insincere exaggeration, and today is often used in irony or sarcasm.
On July 25, 1972, just over two weeks after the 1972 Democratic Convention, McGovern's running mate
, Thomas Eagleton
, revealed that he had received electroshock therapy for clinical depression
during the 1960s. McGovern had been running an emotional crusade against incumbent President Richard Nixon
; the Republicans counterattacked by suggesting that McGovern was crazy, so the evidence that his running mate had secretly undergone psychiatric treatment three times for mental illness
destroyed the McGovern strategy. Eagleton was hospitalized in 1960 for four weeks for "exhaustion and fatigue." He was hospitalized for four days at the Mayo Clinic
in 1964, and for three weeks in 1966. He twice underwent electroshock therapy for depression. Influential Democrats questioned Eagleton's ability to handle the office of Vice President, and McGovern's competence in choosing top officials. In response to initial, daily pressure from the media and party leaders that Eagleton be replaced, McGovern announced that he was "1000 percent behind Tom Eagleton, and I have no intention of dropping him from the ticket."
McGovern subsequently consulted confidentially with preeminent psychiatrists, including Eagleton's own doctors, who advised him that a recurrence of Eagleton's depression was possible and could endanger the country should Eagleton become president. Consequently, on July 31, McGovern announced that he had reversed his position "in the interest of the nation", and Eagleton announced that he was withdrawing his candidacy to prevent continued diversion from greater issues, and for the sake of party unity.
Five prominent Democrats turned down McGovern's desperate pleas to replace Eagleton, leaving the party in disarray, prior to Sargent Shriver
's appointment. McGovern lost by one of the largest landslides in history.
Truman Capote
Truman Streckfus Persons , known as Truman Capote , was an American author, many of whose short stories, novels, plays, and nonfiction are recognized literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's and the true crime novel In Cold Blood , which he labeled a "nonfiction novel." At...
wrote, "Prison is where she belongs. And my husband agrees one thousand percent." Playwright Loring Mandel
Loring Mandel
Loring Mandel is an American playwright and screenwriter whose notable works include the TV movie Conspiracy.-Career:...
wrote, "Those coal people, those pinball people. I want them behind us a thousand percent."
It was most famously used by Democratic Presidential candidate George McGovern
George McGovern presidential campaign, 1972
George McGovern, a United States Senator from South Dakota, launched his second candidacy for the presidency of the United States in an ultimately unsuccessful bid for the 1972 presidential election.-Leading up to the announcement:...
in 1972. It backfired badly and became a byword for foolish and insincere exaggeration, and today is often used in irony or sarcasm.
On July 25, 1972, just over two weeks after the 1972 Democratic Convention, McGovern's running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
, Thomas Eagleton
Thomas Eagleton
Thomas Francis Eagleton was a United States Senator from Missouri, serving from 1968–1987. He is best remembered for briefly being the Democratic vice presidential nominee under George McGovern in 1972...
, revealed that he had received electroshock therapy for clinical depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
during the 1960s. McGovern had been running an emotional crusade against incumbent President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
; the Republicans counterattacked by suggesting that McGovern was crazy, so the evidence that his running mate had secretly undergone psychiatric treatment three times for mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
destroyed the McGovern strategy. Eagleton was hospitalized in 1960 for four weeks for "exhaustion and fatigue." He was hospitalized for four days at the Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
in 1964, and for three weeks in 1966. He twice underwent electroshock therapy for depression. Influential Democrats questioned Eagleton's ability to handle the office of Vice President, and McGovern's competence in choosing top officials. In response to initial, daily pressure from the media and party leaders that Eagleton be replaced, McGovern announced that he was "1000 percent behind Tom Eagleton, and I have no intention of dropping him from the ticket."
McGovern subsequently consulted confidentially with preeminent psychiatrists, including Eagleton's own doctors, who advised him that a recurrence of Eagleton's depression was possible and could endanger the country should Eagleton become president. Consequently, on July 31, McGovern announced that he had reversed his position "in the interest of the nation", and Eagleton announced that he was withdrawing his candidacy to prevent continued diversion from greater issues, and for the sake of party unity.
Five prominent Democrats turned down McGovern's desperate pleas to replace Eagleton, leaving the party in disarray, prior to Sargent Shriver
Sargent Shriver
Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr., known as Sargent Shriver, R. Sargent Shriver, or, from childhood, Sarge, was an American statesman and activist. As the husband of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, he was part of the Kennedy family, serving in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations...
's appointment. McGovern lost by one of the largest landslides in history.