Notable Figures
While the winners and losers of presidential elections are most often remembered, many people campaign for the chance to be their party’s nominee. This leads to many campaign buttons from presidential hopefuls, some of whom are recognizable names. Though many of these hopefuls never made it to the White House, some would eventually prove successful in later years.
The Kennedy Family
Many members of the Kennedy family have been involved in public service and national politics. President John F. Kennedy is, perhaps, the most well-known, but two of his brothers have also sought the office. When President Lyndon B. Johnson announced he would not run for re-election in 1968, Robert “Bobby” Kennedy began campaigning. He quickly gained attention; however, the Senator and former attorney general was assassinated before he could secure the nomination.
Attention and polls favored Edward “Ted” Kennedy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972, but he ultimately chose to postpone plans for the presidency. The long-serving Senator would later seek the Democratic nomination in 1980 but lost to incumbent President Jimmy Carter.
Douglas MacArthur
General Douglas MacArthur had presidential aspirations long before he officially made a bid for any party’s nomination, but his commitment to the war effort and his work in the Pacific theater of WWII kept him from running. After his removal from military command in 1951, MacArthur set off on a speaking tour in which he heavily criticized the Truman Administration, garnering him some political interest. Although he gave the keynote speech at the 1952 Republican National Convention, he did not campaign seriously and failed to secure the nomination.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
While he was our longest serving president from 1933 to 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt had an earlier go at the White House in 1920, but as James A. Cox’s vice-presidential running mate. They lost the election to Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge and, one year later, Roosevelt became ill with polio, causing him to step back from politics for a short time.
Nelson Rockefeller
When people hear the name Rockefeller, oil magnate John D. Rockefeller probably comes to mind first; however, this button is from his grandson, Nelson Rockefeller’s presidential campaign. Rockefeller served as Governor of New York from 1959-1973. During that time, he unsuccessfully campaigned for president in ’60, ’64, and ’68. He would go on to serve as vice president under President Gerald Ford from 1974-1977.
Richard Nixon
After serving as vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon ran for president in 1960 against John F. Kennedy. This election saw the first televised presidential debate, where many thought Nixon, having refused to wear any makeup, appeared sweaty and disheveled against a very photogenic and charismatic Kennedy. Nixon lost this election by a razor thin margin in the popular vote.
Ronald Reagan
Just a year after becoming Governor of California, Ronald Reagan made a small run for president in an attempt to challenge Richard Nixon in 1968. Reagan hoped to split the vote between Nixon and Nelson Rockefeller, allowing him to edge in with just enough votes to secure the nomination. His plan was unsuccessful, and it would be almost 10 years before Reagan attempted another presidential bid.