matthewrosedev, Author at Matthew Rosenbaum Political Pins

Republician Party Divided

Overview

Political pins for Nelson Rockefeller — Political pins for 1976 Republican Candidates

These pins display how divided the Republican Party was in 1976. In addition to running against future President Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination, appointed President Gerald Ford had previously selected former NY Governor Nelson Rockefeller to be his Vice President. Many assumed that ‘Rocky’ would be Ford’s running mate in 1976. But people in Ford’s cabinet, notably his Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld, resented Rockefeller and convinced Ford to jettison him and pick the much more conservative Senator Bob Dole of Kansas as his running mate.

Ford and Dole ultimately lost in a squeaker to Jimmy Carter. Of interest is the middle button, possibly made by angry NY Republicans who were upset that Ford dropped their man from the ticket. It is the only button of its kind known to exist. The cartoon button is also somewhat of a rarity, having been made in Las Vegas and having significant value from the 1976 campaign.

This collection of campaign buttons provides a fascinating window into one of the most tumultuous periods in modern Republican Party history. Let me elaborate on the various layers of political drama and significance represented here.

The 1976 Republican Primary Battle

The 1976 Republican primary was one of the most contentious intra-party battles in modern American politics. Gerald Ford, despite being the sitting president, faced a formidable challenge from Ronald Reagan that went all the way to the convention floor. This was unprecedented. Sitting presidents typically face only token opposition for renomination. The Reagan challenge represented the growing conservative movement within the Republican Party that felt Ford was too moderate and too willing to work with Democrats.

Ford’s Unique Position as Appointed President

Gerald Ford’s situation was historically unique; he was the only person to serve as both Vice President and President without being elected to either office. He became VP when Spiro Agnew resigned in 1973, then President when Nixon resigned in 1974. This gave him less political capital than a traditionally elected president would have had, making him more vulnerable to primary challenges and internal party pressure.

The Nelson Rockefeller Factor

Nelson Rockefeller represented the liberal wing of the Republican Party – what was often called “Rockefeller Republicans.” His selection as VP in 1974 was seen as Ford’s attempt to maintain party unity and provide experienced leadership during the post-Watergate crisis. However, Rockefeller’s liberal positions on social issues and his support for big government programs made him a bit repugnant to the party’s growing conservative base.

Internal Palace Intrigue

The role of Donald Rumsfeld (then Ford’s Chief of Staff) in pushing Rockefeller off the ticket illustrates the behind-the-scenes power struggles within the Ford administration. Rumsfeld, along with other conservatives in Ford’s circle, saw Rockefeller as a political liability. Their successful campaign to remove him demonstrated the growing influence of conservative operatives within the Republican establishment.

The Bob Dole Selection

Choosing Bob Dole was Ford’s attempt to appease the conservative wing of the party while still maintaining some independence from Reagan. Dole was seen as a reliable conservative with strong debate skills who could attack the Democratic ticket while Ford stayed “presidential.” However, this strategy backfired somewhat, as Dole was seen as too harsh and partisan during the vice presidential debate.

The Narrow Loss to Carter

The Ford-Dole ticket’s narrow loss to Jimmy Carter (2 percentage points in the popular vote) has led to decades of speculation about whether different choices might have changed the outcome. Some argue that keeping Rockefeller might have helped in northeastern states, while others believe a more conservative choice might have energized the Republican base.

The Significance of These Specific Buttons

The Middle Button’s Rarity: The fact that this appears to be the only known example of this particular button makes it extraordinarily valuable to collectors. It likely represents New York Republicans’ genuine anger at Ford’s treatment of their former governor. Rockefeller had been a popular governor of New York for 15 years (1959-1973), and his dismissal would have been seen as a betrayal by many New York GOP activists.

The Las Vegas Cartoon Button: Political cartoon buttons from specific locations are often rare because they were produced in small quantities for local consumption. Las Vegas in 1976 was still a much smaller city than today, making locally produced political memorabilia particularly scarce.

Broader Historical Significance

These buttons collectively tell the story of the Republican Party’s evolution from the moderate, establishment-oriented party of the 1960s to the more conservative, populist-influenced party that would dominate American politics in the 1980s and beyond. The 1976 election was essentially the last hurrah for the Rockefeller wing of the Republican Party, and these buttons capture that transition in real time.

The internal GOP divisions shown here also foreshadowed the party’s future struggles between its establishment and insurgent wings, conflicts that would resurface in various forms through the Tea Party movement, the Trump presidency, and continue today.

Collector and Historical Value

These buttons are worth way more than just their price tag – they’re like little pieces of American history you can hold in your hand! Sure, they’re from one election, but they tell the story of how American politics was completely changing during the 1970s.

What makes them cool is that they show what regular people were feeling at the time. While official campaign ads and speeches gave you the polished version of events, these buttons capture the raw emotions – the excitement, the anger, the disappointment – of everyday Republicans who were watching their party tear itself apart.

That middle button being so rare makes it extra special. It’s not just a neat thing to own – it’s like having a piece of evidence that helps us solve the mystery of how politics works. We often think political change happens because of big, dramatic moments – famous speeches or major policy announcements. But the truth is, it’s usually lots of small decisions and local reactions (like some ticked-off New York Republicans making their protest button) that end up changing everything.

These little buttons help us understand that real political change doesn’t just come from the top down. It bubbles up from people in their local communities who get mad, get organized, and make their voices heard – even if it’s just through a homemade campaign button that somehow survives for nearly 50 years to tell their story.

Gore / Lieberman

The 2000 presidential campaign is one of several elections that have gone down in history as both controversial and divisive. That year, Governor George W. Bush, the son of a former president, took on the Vice President of the United States, Al Gore. Governor Bush selected a long-time D.C. insider and former advisor to three U.S. presidents, Dick Cheney. When it came time for Vice President Gore to select his running mate, he chose a centrist Democrat, who also happened to be an Orthodox Jew, Senator Joe Lieberman.

Many were shocked by the pick since there were many more seasoned candidates, but Lieberman was known for his straightforward approach to politics and was a likable guy. That he became the first fully Jewish candidate to be nominated on a national ticket (Barry Goldwater’s paternal side of the family was Jewish) was somewhat unique, and the Gore campaign certainly “played that up” when campaigning in more heavily Jewish sections of the country. It is therefore somewhat ironic that Gore / Lieberman met their Waterloo in Florida, the state with the third most Jews in the US. Ultimately, Bush/Cheney squeaked in, as the US Supreme Court determined Florida was won by the Republicans. That being said, and as the button above proclaims, Gore and Lieberman ran a gutsy campaign.

Clinton / Gore

In 1990, President George HW Bush was riding high with a nearly 90% approval rating – unheard of in presidential polling numbers. He was coming fresh off a smack-down of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and the economy was in pretty good shape. Plus, he seemed a likable enough guy.

All that changed in 1991 when a recession hit and Bush suddenly seemed unable to do anything right. A young Governor and Senator pounced. Bill Clinton was the Governor of Arkansas, who picked as a regional running mate, Senator Al Gore of Tennessee. Both were young (Clinton, 46 and Gore, 44), energetic, and seemed to be pretty centrist for Democrats. They began to appeal to blue collar workers with the messaging, “It’s the economy, stupid!”

Clinton/Gore were not Bush’s only opponents in the 1992 race. IBM CEO Ross Perot decided to get into the fray and had definite ideas on how to improve the economy. By the time the debates rolled around, Bush was truly flustered. An unfortunate moment caught on camera during one of the debates showed Bush looking at his watch as if to say, “When is this thing gonna be over?” In the end, Clinton/Gore defeated Bush/Quayle pretty handily; however, if Perot hadn’t entered the race, Bush might still have won.

Although Perot didn’t garner any electoral college votes, he drew over 19 million votes, many of which might have gone to Bush. A little known fact: Bush came in third in the state of Maine with Perot barely besting him for second place – a real blow to a sitting President. Clinton and Gore would go on to serve two terms in the White House, but neither in 1992 nor in 1996 did Clinton garner 50% of the vote.

Ronald Regan’s Potential Running Mates

As the summer of 1980 approached, the Reagan Revolution began to sweep the country. While the media made him out to be a power-hungry, nuclear bomb crazy political leader, many citizens were more fed up with high inflation, high interest rates, hostages in Iran, and the USSR seemingly ascendant.

They saw Reagan as a potentially strong leader who would combat the malaise that had enveloped the US. He effectively utilized his sunny disposition and positive attitude in articulating America’s potential, and many Americans preferred this type of leader.

As it turned out, many elected officials felt the same way and began to tout themselves as potential running mates. At one point, it was thought that former President Gerald Ford was going to go on the ticket, but that possibility fizzled when Ford said it would have to be a co-Presidency.

Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana was believed to be one of the possibilities for Vice President, and his campaign hurriedly printed up buttons in an effort to get support at the Republican Convention. Congressman Jack Kemp of Buffalo, New York, went even further, setting up an actual storefront right outside convention headquarters to persuade convention delegates to support him.

At one point, his buttons were seen throughout the convention halls. Others had buttons printed up as well, in an attempt to attach themselves to Reagan and the ticket. The buttons above demonstrate one of many ways in which “hopefuls” advertise themselves as possible choices for office.

Ultimately, Reagan chose former congressman, CIA director, and Republican National Committee Chairman, George H.W. Bush, as his running mate. The Reagan Revolution went into overdrive, and on Election Day, Reagan swept the country, winning 489 electoral votes to President Carter’s 49.

Charles Evans Hughes

Charles Jughes political button — Charles Hughes Political Button

Here is another important historical figure from our past that many people may not be familiar with: Charles Evans Hughes. I always find it fascinating that most people don’t know who he was, but he served as an important historical figure for nearly four decades.

Overview

Charles Evan Hughes was a former popular Governor of New York. He was a brilliant legal mind and was nominated to serve on the US Supreme Court in 1910 by President William Howard Taft. Justice Hughes sat on the US Supreme Court as an Associate Justice for barely six years before he agreed to be the Republican Party’s standard bearer for the 1916 Presidential election.

Political Aspirations and the Election

The world was at war, and many did not think that the current President, Woodrow Wilson, would keep the US out of the conflict. Hughes became the favorite and, on the day after the election, several prominent newspapers had declared him the victor. In actuality, Wilson won a second term in a very tight race. Hughes had lost his Supreme Court job, which he dearly loved, and then lost his shot at the Presidency, a job he truly desired. He ultimately served as Secretary of State in the 1920s, but then President Hoover nominated him to sit on the Supreme Court again, this time as Chief Justice. Hughes served as the 11th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1930 to 1941.

Lost History of a Determined Man

Hughes’s career reflected a rare blend of judicial brilliance, political ambition, and national service at some of the most critical moments in American history. As Chief Justice, he presided over a Court that navigated the constitutional challenges of Theodore Roosevelt’s New Deal, balancing the powers of government during a period of economic turmoil and transformation. His opinions helped shape how the Constitution was interpreted in modern governance, especially in cases involving commerce and federal authority.

Beyond the bench and the ballot box, Hughes also played a significant role on the world stage. As Secretary of State under Presidents Harding and Coolidge, he was a key figure at the Washington Naval Conference, promoting disarmament and stability in the post-World War I era.

Conclusion

Despite his towering influence, Hughes is often overlooked in the popular memory of American history. His legacy, however, lives on through landmark legal precedents and his steadfast dedication to public service, demonstrating how one individual can help guide a nation through both domestic and international challenges.

Hon. Matthew A. Rosenbaum (Ret.)

Landon / Knox

Lyndon / Knox button with sunflower — Landon / Knox button with sunflower

In 1936, the United States was still deep in the throes of the Great Depression. The majority of Americans still blamed former President Herbert Hoover for the mess they were in, but FDR’s New Deal hadn’t done much, and in some cases, the economic climate was just as bad, if not worse. Republicans believed they had a chance to defeat Roosevelt and made Alf Landon, Governor of Kansas, the party’s presidential standard bearer.

In choosing a running mate, Landon’s first choice was New Hampshire Governor Styles Bridges. In a weird quirk, the New Hampshire Governor missed out on forever being attached to a Presidential ticket, merely due to his surname. When Democrats got wind of the prospective ticket, they began using the slogan, “Landon Brydges Falling Down!”

The Brydges idea was quickly dismissed, and Frank Knox, a Chicago newspaper publisher, agreed to be Landon’s running mate. On Election Day, Landon / Knox only won two states, Maine and Vermont. Neither man won their home state. It was the most significant lopsided Presidential victory since 1820 (for more information on that election, research “The Era of Good Feelings).

The button shown is in the design of a Kansas sunflower, the state’s floral symbol. After the election, Landon retired from active politics but had a very successful private life, living to be 100 years old, more than halfway through the Reagan presidency.

Adlai Stevenson

Political button of Adlia Stevenson — Political button of Adlai Stevenson

Harry Truman never thought much of Adlai Stevenson. The button shown here depicts a buttoned-up Harry Truman, showing support for Adlai Stevenson for President. In 1956, the ever-popular Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower was up for re-election. Although Ike was popular for his role in WWII, he hadn’t been as exciting as a Chief Executive. Republicans had lost ground in the mid-term elections, and the President had suffered a heart attack in 1955. Adlai Stevenson, who had unsuccessfully run against Eisenhower in 1952, thought he had a real chance, the second time around. Truman thought otherwise.

The former President cast his lot with New York Governor W. Averell Harriman as his pick for the Democratic nomination. Truman was very vocal about his support for Harriman, calling Stevenson a “defeatist candidate.” Stevenson’s people were incensed, and the Democrats looked like they might further fracture their party.

Ultimately, Stevenson was able to successfully out-maneuver Harriman with some well-timed endorsements and by promising to put a Southerner on the ticket. Stevenson successfully obtained his re-nomination, out-dueling both Truman and Harriman and further marginalizing the former President from his party. In the end, Stevenson lost once more to Ike. It wasn’t even close. And Truman was able to say the four words he’d been dying to say since Stevenson’s second nomination: “I told you so!”

Dukakis – Bentsen

The Wild Ride of 1988

The 1988 Democratic presidential primary was one of the most chaotic and unpredictable in modern American political history. It was a wide-open contest that reflected a party in transition, struggling to find its identity in the post-Reagan era. No other Democratic primary race before or since has featured as many different primary winners as the 1988 race. What began with a clear front-runner ended in a political free-for-all that captured the volatility and drama of American electoral politics.

The presumptive favorite at the outset was Senator Gary Hart of Colorado. Hart had been the runner-up in the 1984 Democratic primaries, finishing second to former Vice President Walter Mondale. With his youthful energy, moderate appeal, and forward-looking message, Hart seemed to represent the next generation of Democratic leadership. By the time 1988 rolled around, he was widely expected to secure the nomination with relative ease.

The Hart Scandal

But Hart’s campaign was derailed before it even had a chance to build momentum. In the fall of 1987, news broke that Hart had been involved in an extramarital affair with a woman named Donna Rice. The scandal, made all the worse by Hart’s earlier dare to the press to “follow me around,” dominated headlines. A photo of Rice sitting on Hart’s lap aboard a yacht named “Monkey Business” became emblematic of the controversy. Initially denying the affair, Hart eventually bowed to the mounting pressure and suspended his campaign. Though he briefly re-entered the race in early 1988, the damage was irreparable. His fall from grace opened the door to a crowded and unpredictable field.

The Race Without a Clear Leader

With Hart out of the way, the Democratic nomination became a wide-open race. Five different candidates would go on to win individual primaries and caucuses, highlighting the party’s fractured nature. The major contenders included civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who energized voters with a historic and passionate campaign; Senator Al Gore of Tennessee, a youthful centrist voice from the South; Representative Dick Gephardt of Missouri, who emphasized labor and economic issues; and Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, known for his bow tie and earnest demeanor (not to be confused with the famous singer-songwriter of the same name).

Dukakis Emerges from the Pack

Michael Dukakis political pin — Michael Dukakis. Wikimedia Public Domain

Ultimately, it was Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis who emerged as the nominee. Dukakis ran as a technocratic, no-nonsense manager, touting his record of economic success and governmental efficiency in Massachusetts. To bring regional and ideological stability to the ticket, Dukakis selected Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate. Bentsen, a seasoned lawmaker with deep Southern roots and conservative credibility, was seen as a strategic pick to appeal to moderate and swing voters in the South.

Following the Democratic National Convention, the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket surged in the polls. For a brief moment, they held a comfortable lead over the Republican ticket of Vice President George H. W. Bush and Indiana Senator Dan Quayle. But the momentum didn’t last.

From Momentum to Missteps

A series of campaign missteps and public perception issues quickly eroded Dukakis’s advantage. One of the most infamous moments came when Dukakis participated in a photo opportunity riding in a military tank—a move meant to counter criticisms that he was weak on defense. Instead, the image backfired. The oversized helmet and his awkward appearance became a punchline and political liability, reinforcing the narrative that Dukakis was ill-suited to lead on national security.

Another blow came during a televised presidential debate, when Dukakis was asked whether he would support the death penalty if his wife were raped and murdered. His answer, a calm and rational “no,” delivered without a hint of emotion, stunned viewers. It may have been intellectually consistent with his principles, but to many voters, it came off as robotic and unfeeling—an image that plagued the rest of his campaign.

Election Day Results: A Harsh Reality

Despite these setbacks, Dukakis did manage to carry ten states on Election Day—a more substantial showing than any Democrat since Jimmy Carter’s victory in 1976. However, it wasn’t enough. George H. W. Bush won in 40 states and secured both the Electoral College and the popular vote with ease.

A Candid Conversation with Michael Dukakis

The following year, I had the chance to meet Dukakis at a health care conference. He was remarkably gracious, thoughtful, and patient, taking nearly ten minutes to talk with me about his campaign and the lessons he had learned from it. He acknowledged his mistakes without defensiveness and spoke candidly about how he had moved on. What struck me most was his humility. He shared a quiet anecdote: on Inauguration Day in 1989, he didn’t attend the ceremony. Instead, he packed a sandwich from home, stayed in, and watched George H. W. Bush’s inauguration on television. Just a regular guy.

That small moment of introspection said a lot. In an era of political theater and spin, Dukakis reminded me that behind every campaign is a real person—flawed, human, and capable of grace even in defeat.

John McCain

In 2008, John McCain finally got his wish to be the Republican nominee for President. His timing and his selection of a VP candidate were both horrible.

Since 2005, President George W. Bush’s popularity had plummeted, due in part to the perceived mismanagement of Hurricane Katrina relief, specifically to New Orleans, and due to a looming financial crisis that would crater the stock market in September 2008. This, coupled with a new face of the Democratic party in Barack Obama, made McCain’s climb to the pinnacle of American government that much steeper.

For Vice President, McCain, a decorated war hero, chose little-known Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Though attractive, herself a fresh face in national politics, and the first female nominated for Vice President of the Republican Party, Governor Palin proved to be a marketing disaster. Her appearances on national TV programs did nothing to dispel the idea that she was inexperienced and could be a divisive voice. The media did nothing to point out her positive attributes, namely that conservative women (and men) liked her.

In the end, McCain and Palin were handily beaten by Obama and Biden.

The pin shown here is one of my favorites, having been made for the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. The slogan and visuals are great. The campaign was not.

Nelson Rockefeller

New York has had many famous governors, from DeWitt Clinton to Mario Cuomo. None, however, compares to Nelson Rockefeller, the political and business giant.

A Man of the People

Rockefeller was elected to four terms as Governor of New York, more than any other Governor in the Empire State. Although his family was considered the richest in the world then, he was friendly and approachable, and truly loved meeting with regular citizens and rank-and-file voters. He was known for appearing unannounced on the state senate and assembly floors to push for bills he felt were essential to New York voters. His “Hiya Fella!” signature greeting is still remembered by those who had the pleasure of meeting him.

One of my associates told me he was sitting in his car on Madison Ave., stuck in traffic, when he looked to his left. There was Nelson Rockefeller in his limo right next to him. Rockefeller gave him a friendly wave and he waved back.

Political Career

‘Rocky’ had grand ambitions beyond New York State. He attempted to run for President three times, but his timing was always off. Ultimately, he was chosen by President Gerald Ford and confirmed by the Senate to be Ford’s Vice President, a position he never really wanted. His left-leaning policies made him anathema to the Republican Party, and ultimately, he was jettisoned from the Ford ticket for the election and replaced by the more conservative Bob Dole.

I love this pin because of Lincoln’s shadow and the conveyed message. Rocky was a forward thinker who cared about society’s betterment. He was the last governor to maintain New York’s status as the Empire State. Ten New York Governors were nominated for US President, and four were elected to the highest office in the land. Regrettably, Nelson Rockefeller wasn’t one of them.