Buttons And Magnets

Every time an election is coming up, you will see an assortment of campaign materials that are given away.  You will see banners, posters, t-shirts, buttons and so much more.  During the last elections, you must have gotten free McCain buttons during campaign rallies.Buttons are really an easy way to campaign.  It is very easy to give away and very easy to wear.  You can easily put in pictures, logos and mottos of the candidates.  It really is a great way to spread your message across.  And some people love collecting campaign paraphernalia and buttons are very easy to collect as well.  Next election, you will be seeing new buttons for new candidates

When Obama took the election to become our latest president, it was a historic, memorable, and previously unmatched event in our history. And it was only natural to want to commemorate his run with a nice presidential button. These were a quick, easy, (and even fashionable) way to express your political allegiances to the world. But what will happen to all those Obama buttons now that the election is over?

In general, people tend to cool their political views once their candidate actually makes it to the White House. For that reason, it makes sense that the instances of posters and buttons has diminished since the historic election and inauguration. In honor of Obama’s message of change and living in a cleaner, more sustainable way, don’t just throw away your buttons. Rather, recycle them, and you won’t be contributing to our growing waste problem. Or, if you’re particularly dedicated (and organized), save your buttons in a drawer for four years and don them for the next election.

Election is one of the events when most brilliant ideas sprout almost everywhere. Politicians came up with a lot of propaganda and gimmicks that will make them be known by more voters and therefore increase their chance of winning.

Among the most common, yet indispensible campaign gimmick is the use of political campaign buttons. Aspiring leaders of large and small organizations make use of buttons for the following reasons:

- it can be used by everyone, even as an accessory       
- it’s small and very easy to distribute
- it’s more affordable

I have always been apathetic when it comes to politics. I feel that only the rich really have influence on what happens to our country. But the last election was really significant for me. But because of the crisis we are experiencing right now, I think that it is really time to make a change. Not since the time of JFK had I really felt that I was important, or that my vote matters. This election I had my candidate, and I believed that he could help us change this situation that we are in.

During the last election, I proudly wore my Obama paraphernalia, which included pin-back buttons with his picture on them. Barack is the man. He is the one who can make a difference. But we all need to pitch in. He can’t do it all on his own. The difference is here. The difference is us!

The election is over and our country has a new president. I am so happy that Obama won. I have high hopes for him and for our nation.

I even campaigned for him in my own little way by pinning a custom made button declaring who I was voting for on my shirt. The button always made people I met smile. It was definitely an effective campaign tool.

My friends and I have really been following the election this year. But we got bored with all the Obama paraphernalia we already had. We like to make watching the debates fun and we’re really excited for election night. So we came up with a contest to see who could be most enterprising and create a button.

On the night of the last debate we all brought our creations. They were all quite creative. But, it was a contest so we had to choose a winner. I thought mine was the best it said “babes for Obama.” But everyone else thought our other friend’s was better, it said “this button sucks, but Obama rocks!”

Although you might think that showing your support for a political candidate with a button is a relatively new idea, it actually goes as far back as our original founding father, George Washington.

His supporters were present at his inauguration in droves wearing brass buttons reading “G.W.—Long Live the President.” And ever since, their popularity has yet to wane. As the technology improved, these campaign buttons became increasingly complex, quickly incorporating pictures of the political candidates.

The first election where buttons were widely used as a campaign tool was in 1896 between William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley. They have been seen on the campaign trail ever since. In recent years, there has been a shift to campaign stickers, because they can be produced en masse for rallies and other political events.

People who want a more permanent alternative to campaign stickers still turn to campaign buttons as the primary way to show their political support.

One of the most famous political campaigns against Franklin D. Roosevelt used a large number of buttons to promote a message.  Wendell Willkie was running for president in the direst of times.  The depression that brought so much misery to the United States was leading directly into World War II, and people were looking for a change. 
 
 In 1940, Willkie’s campaign included millions of lithographed slogan buttons that were dispersed throughout the United States as a quick response to news items about Franklin D. Roosevelt.  These buttons are now a collector’s item bringing in big bucks to those who kept these buttons in mint condition.  Recently, we have seen a rise in button production by political campaigners in favor of disposable lapel stickers.

Buttons are a wonderful way of directing a person’s attention.  Weather you are running for high school treasurer, planning a major even, or pointing out a cause, a button always grabs people’s attention.  It is one of those things that draw the eye directly to it and make people curious about the message being displayed on the button. 

One example of high profile people using buttons to suit a purpose is during elections.  Presidential campaign buttons are a staple for candidates that want the public to know who they are.  With a button a candidate marks their territory, so to speak, and allows the constituent to feel like they are a part of a team.

I have seen some unusual or even crazy Obama political buttons during this years Presidential Election.  This one was really out there.  I don’t think anyone thinks that Obama is gay, but he looks good as a gay guy.  I guess at least one Gay Pride Group feels Obama is their best canidate.