Presidential pins have existed since George Washington's inauguration in 1789. Interestingly enough, they were originally worn as buttons sewn onto lapels. Widespread production of campaign pins did not begin until the election of 1896, in which William McKinley defeated William Jennings Brian. Ever since, pins have been essential to campaigning. With many different sizes, colors, and styles, they are now as much collectors' items as they once were political symbols. As the majority dull together, several stand out from the crowd. These are the best presidential campaign pins since the election of 1896:
5. LBJ and Civil Rights
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Lyndon B. Johnson ran for president in 1964 amidst a civil rights movement that swept up America by the feet. During his presidency, Johnson protected the rights of oppressed African Americans. His pin loudly states his alignment with civil rights. Its strong political substance separates it from the crowd.
4. Teddy Roosevelt, the Rough Rider
Teddy Roosevelt inherited the presidency after the assassination of William McKinley, the aforementioned father of the modern presidential pin. Roosevelt's supporters build upon his predecessor's campaign tools, designing a pin that embodied Roosevelt, a man of action and success.
3. JFK
This pin of John F. Kennedy is the footprint in which ample other pins have followed. It is friendly in its simplicity, patriotic in its colors, and strong in its centered design. In 1960, this pin backed up the feel-good impression that Kennedy already gave to the American public over television.
2. McGovern
The only candidate to not win the White House on the list, George McGovern, a South Dakotan, ran for president on the Democratic ticket in 1972. Before running for the Oval Office, he served here and there, making a name for himself as a strong proponent of this and that.... The pin really tells you all you need to know about the guy. Plain and clear, the man's name was McGovern - he was born to be in public office. If only we could have such well-defined leaders in today's world of politics.
1. Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower
At one point or another, everybody has liked Ike. Heck, I still like Ike. This is his pin, what's not to like? It's red, white and blue. It's positive. For Eisenhower fans, this pin was (and is) a great was to show support. Nothing more clearly states you like a candidate than a pin that says "I like [insert said candidate]." Above all, the pin makes a short, catchy rhyme out of a long, cumbersome name, a trick that would have served Herschel Vespasian Johnson (VP, 1860) well.
