
From the Scoop Archive - 9/23/2006
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Strange Campaigns
While we are all familiar with the usual types of political campaign items,
occasionally some real doozies get produced, and oftentimes forgotten. We've all
seen political buttons, ribbons, poster and even clothing, but how many of you
can say you've seen a political seashell? Or a political egg?
We're not kidding you. Over the years, some truly strange items have had
candidates' slogans emblazoned on them. For instance, during the 1884
presidential election, a wooden egg with a die-cut brass chicken mechanism was
produced with advertising on the egg. The chicken would pop up, revealing the
campaign pitch, "I Crow For Cleveland," in obvious support of Democratic
candidate Grover Cleveland.
Another bizarre campaign item was produced for the 1908 presidential
election. Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan and his running mate John
Worth Kern names were engraved on a Tiger Cowrie seashell, with the smooth,
spotted surface removed, leaving "Bryan & Kern For President" in
raised letters. This item was more than likely sold at a seaside resort
town.
With a new presidential campaign every four years, be sure to keep an eye
open for more strange campaign items. Who knows what will turn up
next?
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