Subtlety of Political Persuasion
Political persuasion is an art form used every day by politicians to hint subtle messages to voters. At first glance, the items in this case may not look as though they areconnected. However, an underlying theme of “methods of persuasion” is the thread that ties each item together. Each of these items relies on different forms and tactics to recruit voters to support either a certain party, candidate, or movement. The various forms of campaign material seen in this case also highlight strategies that are commonly used in political persuasion such as creating pamphlets or encouraging people to wear buttons in support of different causes. Each item individually furthers the field’s understanding of how campaigns and elections have evolved over time, as novel recruiting and persuasion methods have become more prominent, as well as more effective. Ultimately, when examined critically, these items reveal a key motivation in American politics: persuasion.
Credits: Brandon Berry, Mary Beltran, Greta Colombo, Jeshua Suescun
Item Title: New Friends for the GOP
Candidate/Campaign: -
Date: undated
Collection: Senator John Tower Collection
Pamphlets created by the Republican Party circa 1960. They were part of an effort to sway more conservative Democrats to vote Republican. The pamphlets detail ways to promote the GOP and make their presence known among communities.
Item Title: Here Comes Those Crowds of Republicans
Candidate/Campaign: -
Date: undated
Collection: Senator John Tower Collection
Another pamphlet created by the Republican Party circa 1960. They were part of an effort to sway more conservative Democrats to vote Republican. The pamphlets detail ways to promote the GOP and make their presence known among communities.
Item Title: Streamer Elephant: "Ele"
Candidate/Campaign: 1968 Election
Date: 1968
Collection: Thomas Quirk Collection of Young Republicans
This is a piece of campaign memorabilia from the 1968 GOP convention, where Richard Nixon accepted the Republican nomination for president. "Ele" (short for elephant) features the location of the convention on one ear and the event on the other ear. There were different variations of "Ele" created for the convention.
Item Title: Nixon Tanning Reflector
Candidate/Campaign: Richard Nixon, 1968 Presidential Election
Date: undated
Collection: Bruce Barrick Papers
This piece of campaign memorabilia is a perfect example of unique political advertising. Made circa 1965-1970, this tanning reflector is an item made in support of Richard Nixon sometime during his presidential campaign. On the front of the reflector is a catchy slogan reading “Get That NIXON Victory Glow”. The item was likely custom made by a Nixon supporter using an item provided by National Airlines, a Miami based airline. This piece has no information about it anywhere online or in the Nixon Library, making the item that much more unique.
Item Title: 10 Ways You Can Help Richard Nixon
Candidate/Campaign: Richard Nixon, 1968 Presidential Campaign
Date: undated
Collection: Sentor John Tower Collection
A campaign item specifically targeting Nixon supporters, this brochure was created for the 1968 presidential Nixon campaign by the United Citizens for Nixon. The brochure details ten different ways candidate supporters could spread the word about Richard Nixon. It offers simple suggestions from displaying signs and banners around your home, to holding meetings or parades. From the phrase “here’s how you can help,” on the first page we see an intentional call to action from Nixon to the people and his campaign supporters. The 1968 primary would go on to be Nixon’s first victory in the presidential primary.
Item Title: George Bush on the Issues Facing America
Candidate/Campaign: George H.W. Bush, 1992 Presidential Campaign
Date: undated
Collection: Campaign & Political Memorabilia Collection
During George H. W. Bush's reelection campaign, his campaign released promotional information to the public in the form of brochures such as this one which detail where Bush stood on a plethora of issues that were facing the country in the lates 1980s and early 1990s. This brochure also includes a detachable form which describes various ways that an individual could have promoted and gotten involved in the campaign.
Item Title: Buttons - Science
Candidate/Campaign: -
Date: undated
Collection: Campaign & Political Memorabilia Collection
Although these pins represent opposing political ideologies, they are both centered around one common topic: science in politics. Research has repeatedly shown that attitudes towards science and politics are closely intertwined. As political polarization has increased, so has mistrust in science, particularly in findings that contradict pre-existing attitudes. The first pin, created by a group that supports free market public policies, reflects their distrust of the available science on climate change. The second, however, demonstrates a frustration toward misconceptions and mistrust of science. Regardless of the specific message, the aim of both pins is to shape public views on science.