Saturday, January 5, 2008

The Best Presidential Election Commercials or I Voted for Jimmy Carter

This election, treat yourself to commercials from elections past at The Living Room Candidate, Presidential Campaign Commercials 1952 - 2004. This fascinating, eye-opening, nostalgic gem is an online exhibition of The Museum of the Moving Image.

Watch the country turn from blue to red to blue. See Tricky Dick in black and white; Lyndon Johnson with Lady Bird by his side (After the death of John F. Kennedy, Johnson promises to do his best, acknowledging that it's all he's got to offer.); Images of children juxtaposed against atom bombs exploding (Subtle message, Careful who you vote for.); I Like Ike; Young Jimmy Carter in his plaid flannel shirt. . .

It's a fabulous collection and in the context of an election year . . .

"The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal is the ultimate indignity to the democratic process."
-Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson, 1956

Little did he know what ultimate indignities the holders of high office could bring.

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