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Boing Boing points us to the first use of television spots to secure a presidency. While the JFK vs. Nixon in ‘60 is a famous example of the importance of looking presidential on TV, it was the Ike Eisenhower-Adlai Stevenson face-off that first took advantage of the mass reach of the infant medium. Here's..\n

Jason Jude Chan
By Jason Jude ChanJul 30, 2008
Jason Jude Chan
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Boing Boing points us to the first use of television spots to secure a presidency. While the JFK vs. Nixon in ‘60 is a famous example of the importance of looking presidential on TV, it was the Ike Eisenhower-Adlai Stevenson face-off that first took advantage of the mass reach of the infant medium. Here's a sing-song Disney endorsement for Ike:



And here is a twilight-zone curio from Stevenson:



You can check out Obama and McCain's multi-platform ad campaigns on any major website, but for some historical (and hilarious) reference materials, check out 4President.org, a site that's collected candidates' bumper stickers, brochures, acceptance speeches, and other presidential miscellany from the 1960 campaign to the present. We especially enjoy the awesome variety from '72.

elections and politics

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