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Discover Mid-America — January 2008
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Back-in-the-day political persuasion
by Bruce Rodgers, Editor/Publisher
Vicki Walker’s feature in this issue probably reminds readers of the obvious in American life — politics. Some of you could care less about what now seems like a year-around spectacle. It’s your right.
Others may feel the public display of politics — candidates frequently showing up on your television set or, if you live in one of those early primary states, at your favorite café shaking hands — is only appropriate when needed, as in periodically throwing the rascal that’s there now out of office.
But I would bet people who devotedly care about politics or those totally irritated by any mention of it, could find themselves interested in and even collecting the political memorabilia attached to candidate races or particular issues.
Where some could argue there’s not a lot of creativity in politics, that’s not particularly true of the items attached to politics in the way they deliver a message. Walker’s feature only touches the wide variety of political buttons, banners and other assorted items attached to a campaign.
To me, there’s a reaffirming feeling when someone’s message is delivered in something one can hold, more so than a fleeting radio spot or a quickly dismissed television commercial. Buttons on a lapel, stickers on a fake straw hat, signs on a stick immediately attached themselves to the person wearing that button or hat, or bouncing that sign up and down. That’s what made going to or watching a political nominating convention kinda fun. Money and an insane political primary season have pretty much taken that away.
Seeing that politically engaged person, particularly if you’re not a button wearer or don’t have a hat or sign, makes one wonder why that person choose that candidate to back — or so we assume.
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul comes to mind. I always wonder about Paul after I see one of his signs on the curb or in someone’s yard. He doesn’t get much attention in the press compared to the other Republicans, and a lot of journalists think he’s a fringe candidate, but I figure a lot of people have become supporters after seeing one of his signs.
Now, I’m not advocating Paul, just making the connection that the
small things that go with a campaign may have an effect larger than the
cost associated with creating that thing. Maybe collectors of political
items know that, and know that the question of “why” someone
is supported by someone else always lingers no matter how long ago the
political campaign was waged.
People would wonder that of me if they found my Franklin Roosevelt, Fred
Harris, Gene McCarthy, Ralph Nader, Howard Dean or Barack Obama stickers and buttons laying somewhere in my garage or attic.
But I’m always pretty sure why I have them — something to collect of someone I paid attention to.
And here’s wishing all of you a Happy 2008…and remember to vote, please.
Bruce Rodgers can be contacted at publisher@discoverypub.com.
> Refurnished Thoughts Archive — past columns
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