JANET RENO (D-FL) 2002 - For Governor (Lost Primary) - 2¼" - Celluloid.

Love her or hate her, Janet Reno is one of the most identifiable figures from the former Clinton Administration. She's already made her mark in history as the first female US Attorney General -- and as the longest ever serving Attorney General. Waco, Elian -- even the regular spoofs of her on Saturday Night Live -- all raised her profile higher. When no other big name Dems were willing to take on incumbent Governor Jeb Bush (R) in 2002, Reno jumped into the race. She started with a 60-point lead for the nomination and nearly universal name identification (although she also polled high negatives). However, her campaign was hampered by her independence from party leaders (who worked to sabotage her primary effort) and her half-hearted fundraising efforts. Much of Reno's campaign focused on the gimmick of Reno driving her red pickup truck around the state to meet voters. In the end, Reno narrowly lost the primary in a upset to a wealthy trial lawyer. This cute official pin was directly sold by Reno staffers at events early in the primary campaign.

GEORGE BUSH & DAN QUAYLE (R) 1988 - For President & Vice President (Won) - 2" - Celluloid.

This pin was produced by a NYC vendor and sold at various GOP events during the fall campaign. After capturing the GOP nomination over rivals Bob Dole, Jack Kemp and Pat Robertson, Vice President George Bush selected conservative Indiana Senator Dan Quayle as his VP runningmate. A strong economy -- and Bush's stature as President Reagan's designated heir -- help push Bush to a 53% to 46% general election victory over Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis (D). This official button features the main logo used during the fall campaign. An unusual item for Bush collectors.

JOHN McCAIN (R) 2000 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 2¾" - Celluloid.

A decorated Naval aviator and Vietnam War P.O.W., McCain first came to national attention when he was selected to be the first American POW released from North Vietnamese captivity in the "Hanoi Hilton." In 1982, McCain was elected to an open seat in Congress. In 1986, he easily won election to an open US Senate seat. He breezed to easy re-election wins in 1992 and 1998. In 1996, he was one of three finalists for the VP nomination on Bob Dole's ticket. In his 2000 campaign, he emerged from the crowded GOP pack to become George W. Bush's strongest rival. McCain won key early upsets the New Hampshire and Michigan primaries (among others), but his campaign was derailed with a solid defeat in the bitter South Carolina primary. Since then, McCain has maintained his outspoken independence on the national stage. This is one of the few officially issued pins from the 2000 McCain campaign.

WENDELL WILLKIE & CHARLES McNARY (R) 1940 - For President & Vice President (Nominees) - 7/8" - Celluloid.

An Indiana farm boy who became a wealthy and powerful Wall Street attorney, Wendell Willkie had never held any political office before running for President in 1940 (he only switched from Democrat to Republican in 1939). Using a brilliant media campaign, he captured the GOP nomination on the sixth ballot over better known political figures. As the VP runningmate, the delegates selected US Senate Minority Leader Charles McNary of Oregon. Willkie's campaign against President Franklin Roosevelt focused on the "No Third Term" theme. Willkie lost to FDR by a 55% to 45% vote. When World War II broke out, Willkie joined the Roosevelt Administration as a US Ambassador-at-Large. Oddly, neither Willkie nor McNary would have completed the term had they won -- as both died a few months apart in 1944 (Willkie at age 52, McNary at age 69).

GEORGE C. WALLACE (D) 1972 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 1 3/8" - Litho.

By 1972, populist Alabama Governor George Wallace was a major national political figure -- having made his reputation as a fiery opponent of integration, forced busing, and most liberal causes. After an impressive third party bid for President in 1968, Wallace ran for President as a Democrat in 1972. Wallace shocked the nation, convincingly and unexpectedly winning the Florida primary. Strong showings in the primaries in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and North Carolina made Wallace a frontrunner. While campaigning in Maryland in early May, Wallace was shot and left paralyzed in an assassination attempt. After the shooting -- although Wallace later won the Michigan and Maryland primaries -- he never recovered enough to make a real run at the nomination at the Democratic Convention. Wallace was re-elected Governor in 1974, ran for President again in 1976 and -- after a political hiatus and a series of emotional apologies to the black community for his former views on racial issues -- was returned to the Governorship again in 1982-86. He died in 1998. A union bug is printed on the edge of this official Wallace pin.

JIMMY CARTER (D) 1976 - For President (Won) - 1 1/8" - Litho.

This is the original campaign button used when obscure peanut farmer and former Georgia Governor Carter -- "Jimmy Who?" -- first launched his campaign for President. Running a well-planned campaign with an effective field organization and a post-Watergate message of "I'll never lie to you," Carter surprised the pundits and won the Iowa caucus. Primary victories in New Hampshire, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania forced his most serious rivals from the race. A late "Stop Carter" campaign from California Governor Jerry Brown also fell far short. In the end, Carter won the nomination and defeated incumbent President Gerald Ford (R) in the general election by a vote of 50% to 48%.

JOHN B. CONNALLY (R) 1980 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 2¾" - Celluloid.

John Connally rose to prominence in both political parties. He began his career as an aide to Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson. Later, as a businessman and attorney, Connally earned a large fortune from cattle and oil deals. As a Democrat, he served as President Kennedy's Secretary of the Navy. Elected Texas Governor in 1962, he was riding in the Presidential limousine in Dallas when JFK was assassinated -- and was himself also seriously wounded by one of Oswald's bullets. After recovering, Connally was re-elected Governor in 1964 and again in 1966 by landslide margins. Striking up a close friendship with President Nixon, Connally served as Nixon's Treasury Secretary from 1971-72 -- when he resigned to chair Democrats for Nixon. Connally switched to the GOP in 1973. When Spiro Agnew resigned as Vice President in 1973, Nixon originally wanted to pick Connally as the new Vice President (but ultimately selected House Minority Leader Gerald Ford as a "safer" choice). Connally was highly touted as a VP runningmate for President Ford in 1976, but again the call never came. In 1980, Connally decided to run for President. He spent a then-record breaking amount of $10 million before the first primary took place. After a dismal sixth place finish in New Hampshire and a distant second place finish in South Carolina, Connally quit the race. He had won just one delegate from Arkansas. This pin -- featuring the official campaign slogan/logo -- is a remnant from the $10 million campaign.

TOM RIDGE & MARK SCHWEIKER (R-PA) 1998 - For Governor & Lt. Governor (Won) - 2¼" - Celluloid.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge used this button in his successful re-election campaign. A highly decorated Vietnam combat veteran and centrist Congressman, Ridge was first elected Governor in a competitive 1994 race. By 1998, he was unstoppable -- and won this race by a landslide margin. A close friend of George W. Bush, Ridge made the final "short list" of possible Bush VP runningmates in 2000. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Bush named Ridge to be the first Director of Homeland Security (and later Secretary of Homeland Security). Many believe that move -- which elevated Ridge's national stature -- also positioned Ridge to be one of Bush's most likely successors in 2008. With an official disclaimer printed on the face, this button should now be a "must have" for GOP collectors. If Ridge becomes President someday, this could also prove to be a very good investment.

MICHAEL DUKAKIS (D) 1988 - For President (Nominee) - 1¾" - Celluloid.

Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis started the 1988 race with low national name recognition -- but with a strong campaign team with great organizational strength. Others in the race included Dick Gephardt, Jesse Jackson, Gary Hart, Al Gore, Bruce Babbitt, Joe Biden and Paul Simon. This button -- the first official pin issued by the Dukakis campaign -- was used during the early primary season. His win in NH, followed by key wins in other primary states, derailed his rivals one at a time. After the Democratic Convention, Dukakis held a 16% lead in the polls over Vice President George Bush (R). For inexplicable reasons, Dukakis ran a general election campaign substantially less effective than his primary effort and squandered his solid lead. In the end, he lost by a 53% to 46% vote.

MILT SHAPP (D) 1976 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 1 1/8" - Litho.

Before there was Joe Lieberman, there was Milt Shapp. Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp made history in 1976 when he became the first Jewish-American to seriously seek a major party Presidential nomination. Shapp was a multi-millionaire cable television executive when he was elected Governor in 1970 (his second try). Re-elected in a landslide in 1974 over wealthy GOP businessman Drew Lewis, Shapp decided to run for President. While respected, he was never viewed as a first-tier frontrunner. Political reporters openly speculated that Shapp was probably positioning himself for appointment to a Presidential Cabinet post. Although he entered the New Hampshire primary (9th place - 3%), he made his real campaign push in Florida because of the large Jewish community living there. A distant 4th place (3%) finish in Florida -- behind Jimmy Carter, George Wallace and Scoop Jackson -- prompted Shapp to quit the race. He didn't win the Presidency (he won only 88,000 votes) and didn't get selected for the Cabinet ... but Shapp still made his mark as a historical "first." An official campaign disclaimer is printed on the edge of this significant Jewish-related item.

RON PAUL (Libertarian) 1988 - For President (Nominee) - 1 5/8" - Litho - Condition: slight scratches at edges.

Physician Ron Paul served as a Republican Congressman from Texes from 1979-85, before losing the GOP Primary for US Senate in 1984. Eventually, Paul left the GOP and joined the Libertarian Party in 1987 -- not exactly surprising because his views were always rather close to the LP's platform. Paul wanted to abolish the IRS and ATF, restore the gold standard, legalize drugs, end gun control, opposed foreign aid and interventionism, supported free trade, etc. In 1988, Paul agreed to run as an LP candidate for President and defeated Native American activist Russell Means for the nomination. Obviously, Paul knew he would not win but he waged an energetic campaign and captured 432,000 votes. In 1996, Paul -- though still libertarian in his views -- returned to the GOP was was again elected to Congress (defeating an incumbent in the primary). Still serving in Congress these days, "Dr. No" is once again attacking the federal government, ATF, etc., and helping the Libertarians ease ballot access laws.

TED KENNEDY (D) 1980 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 1¾" - Celluloid.

Democrats in 1979 feared that President Carter was so unpopular he could not win re-election over likely GOP nominee Ronald Reagan. This sentiment launched an authentic "Draft Ted Kennedy" movement -- strongly backed by labor unions and liberal activists -- which eventually convinced Senator Kennedy to enter the race. In the beginning, Carter won the early battles decisively. Kennedy only won 37% in New Hampshire -- despite his "favorite son" neighbor status. Poor showings in Florida and Illinois followed, before Kennedy finally stated to gain momentum. He handily won the New York and Connecticut primaries in a major upset. Important primary victories in Pennsylvania, California and New Jersey followed. By the end of primary season, Kennedy had won nearly 7 million votes. At the convention, Carter solidly defeated Kennedy by a delegate vote of 2,123 to 1,150. Kennedy's stirring concession speech at the convention ("The hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.") was probably the highlight of the entire gathering. This button was issued by the liberal Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) group -- one of the first groups to back Kennedy.

ORLAND S. LOOMIS (Progressive-WI) 1942 - For Governor (Won) - 7/8" - Litho.

This vintage button is a fantastic "locals" item for two reasons: it is both a third-party item and a WWII item (note the red national "V" for Victory symbol). In Wisconsin politics of this era, the Republican Party and the Progressive Party were the two stronger parties -- and the Democrats were often relegated to third-party status. The Progressives -- in the tradition of Robert LaFollette and Theodore Roosevelt -- were formed in 1934 when the liberal wing of the Republicans splintered away. As Attorney General, Loomis had narrowly lost his challenger race against incumbent Governor Julius Heil (R) in 1940 by a margin of less than 1%. In 1942, Loomis was back for a rematch. Running an energetic campaign, Loomis defeated Governor Heil by a vote of 50% to 37% (with the feeble Democrat capturing just 12%). In a ironic twist of fate, Loomis collapsed and died on December 7, 1942 -- the first anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack -- less than a month before he was to scheduled to take office. And, in 1946, the Progressives dissolved themselves and rejoined the Republican Party (only to quickly lose control of the GOP to the conservative faction). During their lifetime, the Progressives had reformed election procedures, and established liberal programs on taxation, welfare, business regulation, conservation and labor relations. Although historians still debate the wisdom of their reforms, they unanimously recognize their enduring impact on the national political scene.

GRAY DAVIS (D-CA) 1998 - For Governor (Won) - 2½" - Celluloid.

This sharp looking pin from embattled Governor Gray Davis' first run for Governor was issued by the California Federation of Teachers (there is a small disclaimer on the lower face). Davis -- an attorney and Vietnam War veteran -- began his political career as a top aide to then-Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA), before himself being elected a State Assemblyman in 1982. In rapid succession, he was elected State Comptroller in 1986, re-elected in 1990, lost a US Senate primary in 1992, then elected Lieutenant Governor in 1994. He won the 1998 gubernatorial contest by a surprisingly comfortable margin. Then came the financial problems and energy crisis which wrecked his popularity. Still, despite his tremendously high disapproval rating, he managed to successfully face-off in 2002 against a GOP opponent even less popular than himself. Now, Davis is facing an organized recall drive to remove him from office. The "No on 8" referred to a state ballot question opposed by the labor unions. This is a very uncommon item for locals collectors -- a really great California item!

GEORGE McGOVERN & SARGENT SHRIVER (D) 1972 - For President & Vice President (Nominees) - 1¼" - Celluloid.

This button from the 1972 campaign features the Democratic "replacement ticket" of McGovern & Shriver. Senator McGovern's anti-Vietnam War campaign -- managed by a young Gary Hart and staffed largely by lots of peace activist and hippie volunteers -- managed to defeat the crowded field of early Democratic frontrunners for the nomination. Then came the fiascos. First he couldn't find anyone to run with him for VP -- nearly a dozen prominent Democrats rejected McGovern's VP offer -- before finally settling on US Senator Tom Eagleton of Missouri. Soon, the media revealed allegations that Eagleton had previously been hospitalized for depression and had undergone electro-shock therapy. After initially expressing public support ("1000%") for his runningmate, McGovern quickly forced Eagleton from the ticket a few weeks after the close of the convention. After again being rejected by several top Democratic names -- including Senator Ted Kennedy -- McGovern finally selected Kennedy family in-law and former Peace Corps director Shriver to be the new VP runningmate. In the end, McGovern was no match for President Nixon -- losing 61%-38%. The McGovern-Shriver ticket only carried one state: Massachusetts. McGovern went on to lose his 1980 re-election race. Shriver lost a race for President himself in the 1976 primaries -- and is probably best known today as the father of TV morning news anchor Maria Shriver.

BARRY GOLDWATER (R-AZ) 1980 - For US Senate (Won) - 1 5/8" - Litho.

US Senator Barry Goldwater is the father of the modern conservative movement in the Republican Party -- the man who paved the way for the "Reagan Revolution." An outspoken anti-communist, Goldwater ran an insurgent campaign that captured the 1964 GOP nomination for President. When attacked for being "too conservative," Goldwater responded with his famous convention speech: "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice ... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." After losing that race in a landslide to President Lyndon Johnson (D), Goldwater returned to the Senate in 1968 -- winning re-election then and in 1974 by comfortable margins. He went on to win one last term in 1980 in a very competitive race before retiring in 1996. Note the trademark Goldwater eyeglasses in the design. Two union bugs are printed on the edge of this official Goldwater pin from "the last campaign."

JIM JEFFORDS (R-VT) 1994 - For US Senate (Won) - 2¼" - Celluloid.

Before 2001, liberal Vermont US Senator Jim Jeffords was one of the most obscure GOP members of the Senate. During his decades in Washington, he had never once appeared on any of the Sunday morning TV news programs. That obscurity ended when Jeffords made history in May 2001 by abandoning the GOP to become an Independent (and caucusing with the Democrats). For the first time in US history, a party switcher shifted the balance of power from one party to the other in a Congressional body -- as the Jeffords switch gave Tom Daschle and the Democrats control of the Senate. To Democrats, Jeffords was now a courageous, principled independent. To Republicans, he was a disloyal traitor (who was just re-elected as a Republican in November 2000). In either case, he earned his place in history -- and so has this official 1994 button from this Green Mountain State politician. A nice pin ... as official Jeffords items have always been rather hard to find!

TRENT LOTT (R-MS) 1994 - For US Senate (Won) - 3/4" - Tie Tac Pin.

Mississippi campaign buttons in general are hard to come by -- and that certainly holds true for campaign items issued by former Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott. This scarce tie-tac is one of only two official "Lott for Senate" campaign pins printed to date. A conservative former congressional aide, Lott served 16 years in Congress and rose to power as the House Minority Whip from 1980-88. Despite his seniority in the House, Lott gave it up to run for (and win) a vacant Senate seat in a competitive 1988 contest. Through his organizational skills and conservative networking, he again joined the ranks of the Senate Leadership -- first as Majority Whip (1994-96) and then by succeeding Bob Dole as Majority Leader in 1996 (serving until the Dems grabbed control in mid-2001). When the GOP recaptured Senate in the 2002 elections, Lott was poised to return to the top before his controversial Strom Thurmond comments appeared to be an endorsement of the failed past policy of segregation. Despite repeated apologies, Lott was forced to surrender his leadership post in December 2001.

GERALD FORD & BOB DOLE (R) 1976 - For President & Vice President (Nominees) - 1½" - Litho.

Gerald Ford was America's first entirely "unelected" President. Sure, Vice Presidents had become President in the past -- but they had at least each been elected VP. Not Ford. In 1973, President Nixon selected US House Minority Leader Ford to replace former Vice President Spiro Agnew (who resigned in a bribery scandal). When Nixon himself resigned in 1974, Ford then moved into the Oval Office. Ford's disapproval ratings rose sharply when he pardoned Nixon for Watergate (an action that ssubsequently earned Ford a Profile in Courage medal from the JFK Library) -- and suffered more during a lengthy economic recession. A GOP centrist, Ford had to overcome a divisive nomination fight from the conservative wing of the party (he narrowly defeated Ronald Reagan at the convention). Post convention, Ford trailed former Governor Jimmy Carter (D) in all the polls by a wide margin -- but he narrowed the gap considerably in the closing weeks. Ultimately, the Ford-Dole ticket lost by a surprisingly close vote of 50% to 48%. Ford has suggested he may have won if he had just had one more week to campaign against Carter. This nicely designed Ford-Dole button -- with the official disclaimer on the curl ("The President Ford Committee - James A Baker III Chairman") -- was the main button used throughout the general election campaign

NORMAN MAILER & JIMMY BRESLIN (D-NY) 1969 - For New York City Mayor & City Council President (Lost Primary) - 1 3/8" - Celluloid.

Mailer -- a Pulitzer Prize winning author and acclaimed journalist -- has been a prominent figure on the New York literary scene for decades. Often, as with Armies of the Night and many of his non-fiction magazine articles, his writing focused upon current events and politics. A colorful, beligerent, egotistical and outspoken figure, Mailer decided to jump into the crowded Democratic race for New York City Mayor in 1969. Adding more celebrity power to the ticket, Mailer selected newspaper columnist Jimmy Breslin as his runningmate for Council President. Liberal John Lindsay (R) had been elected Mayor in 1965, ending decades of Democratic control at Gracie Mansion. By 1969, the Democrats wanted to retake the office and had a field of several major mayoral candidates. Quickly labeled a joke by the media, Mailer's campaign responded with a colorful slogan: "The other guys are the joke!" By primary election day, Mailer was calling for NYC to become the 51st state and using buttons emblazoned with slogans like "Power to the neighborhoods!" It didn't work, as Mailer finished fourth place with 5% of the vote. In the race for Council President, Breslin finished a few points better than his mayoral runningmate. Incumbent John Lindsay -- who lost for renomination to a conservative challenger in an upset in the GOP primary -- went on to win re-election as the Liberal Party nominee by a 7-point margin over the conservative Democratic nominee. A fantastic collector's item -- for both political junkies and literary fans!

LEVERETT SALTONSTALL & HORACE CAHILL (R-MA) 1944 - For US Senator & Governor (Won & Nominee) - 1" - Litho.

A nice, vintage locals item from the 1940s. This pin featured the team of Massachusetts Governor Leverett Saltonstall for US Senate and Lieutenant Governor Horace Cahill for Governor. While 1944 was generally a Democratic year, GOP Saltonstall captured 64% to win in a landslide. "Salty" served in the Senate until his retirement in 1966. Cahill was not as fortunate, losing the gubernatorial race to Boston Mayor Maurice Tobin (D) by a vote of 53% to 46%.

RONALD REAGAN (R) 1980 - For President (Won) - 3½" - Celluloid.

This attractive large button, featuring a nice Reagan picture, would make a great part of any complete Reagan collection. In the primaries, Reagan easily dispatched George Bush, Howard Baker, John Connally, Phil Crane and other GOP notables. Reagan went on to win the 1980 general election in an electoral vote landslide over incumbent President Jimmy Carter (D) and ex-GOP Congressman John Anderson (Independent) -- and generating strong enough coattails to help the GOP capture control of the US Senate for the first time since the 1950s. A sharp-looking pin.

BILL CLINTON & AL GORE (D) 1992 - For President & Vice President (Won) - 1 5/8" - Litho.

This '92 Clinton-Gore button bears the official general election campaign logo. It was distributed by the campaign to supporters nationwide (along with some special literature and videotaped instructions) to enable supporters to quickly respond to GOP attacks with Letters to the Editor, calls to radio talk shows, etc. This official campaign pin carries a union bug on the edge.

MARY CAL HOLLIS & ERIC CHESTER (SOCIALIST) 1996 - For President & Vice President (Nominees) - 2¼" - Celluloid.

Mary Cal Hollis -- a special ed teacher -- had a long record of activity for many years on behalf of various leftist, peace and vegetarian causes. She was also the National Co-Chair of the Socialist Party-USA in 1994-98. Hollis' runningmate on the 1996 SP-USA ticket was college professor Eric Chester, a union and peace activist from the left-wing faction within the party. The Hollis-Chester ticket performed terribly -- the worst ever in SP-USA history -- earning ballot status in just five states and capturing only 4,300 votes. Chester lost for the SP-USA Presidential nomination in 2000 -- while Hollis was the party's VP nominee in 2000. Now, in an interesting twist on this button, Hollis and Chester are currently the two leading rival candidates each seeking the SP-USA Presidential nomination for 2004. The red carnation on the button is the symbol of the SP-USA. This official pin is a really nice third party collectible.

CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN (D-IL) 1992 - For US Senator (Won) - 2" - Celluloid.

She may have lost her re-election race in 1998, but Carol Moseley Braun already guaranteed her place in history as the first (and only) black woman to ever serve in the US Senate. Before running for the Senate, Braun was an attorney, a state representative and the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. In the '92 Democratic primary, she defeated incumbent Senator Al Dixon in a shocking 38% to 35% upset (a wealthy, third candidate -- who ran lots of TV spots attacking Dixon -- captured 27%). She went on to defeat a former Reagan aide by a wide 53% to 43% margin. In the Senate, Braun quickly compiled a liberal record and committed many political/ethical gaffes -- helping to ensure her narrow 1998 defeat. This official button, however, is from the 1992 high point of her landmark political career. Braun is back in 2004 as a candidate for President.

PATRICK J. BUCHANAN (R) 1992 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 2¼" - Celluloid.

Before bolting to the Reform Party in 2000, TV commentator Pat Buchanan had been a lifelong Republican. A pro-life social conservative, this controversial former Nixon speech writer and Reagan communications director made his first run for President in 1992. Arguing that President Bush had backed tax hikes and abandoned conservative values, Buchanan challenged Bush in the GOP primaries. Advocating an "America First" trade policy, Buchanan repeated bashed Bush for the nation's economic recession. An aloof Bush complacently ignored the seriousness of the Buchanan challenge for far too long. Caught off guard in the New Hampshire primary by Buchanan's "Pitchfork Brigade," Bush defeated Buchanan by a surprisingly close 53% to 37% vote (with 10% going to other minor candidates). The underfinanced Buchanan claimed victory -- gleefully noting that nearly half of the GOP primary voters in the Granite State voted against Bush. Buchanan stayed in the race throughout the primary season -- even though Bush easily won every subsequent contest -- and went on to gave his famous "America is in a cultural war" speech at the 1992 national convention. This official button displays the main logo of the Buchanan '92 campaign.

MO UDALL (D) 1976 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 1¼" - Celluloid.

Arizona Congressman Morris K. "Mo" Udall joked towards the end of his 1976 Presidential bid that he should be known as "Second-Place Mo." Bright, respected, good-natured and funny, Udall tried to parlay his liberal views and close ties to labor unions into a successful race for the White House. When fellow liberal candidates Bayh, Harris and Shriver faded very quickly, Udall hoped to unite liberal voters behind his effort to win the nomination. Udall finished second in New Hampshire (23% -- only 5 points behind Carter), second in Massachusetts (18%), 5th in Florida (2%), second in Wisconsin (36% -- one point behind Carter), second in Michigan (43% -- 0.3% behind Carter), second in Ohio (21%) ... for a total of over 1.6 million votes. At the convention, Udall finished a distant second with 329 delegate votes to Carter's 2,238. Stricken with Parkinson's Disease, Udall retired from Congress in 1992 and died in December 1998. Official campaign disclaimer on the button's edge. FYI: Udall's son Tom was elected to Congress from New Mexico in 1998.

GEORGE H.W. BUSH (R) 1980 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 1 3/8" - Celluloid.

The pin comes from George H.W. Bush's failed 1980 primary campaign for President. Back in 1980, Bush was pro-choice and attacked opponent Ronald Reagan's economic plans as "voodoo economics." Despite being a former Congressman, Ambassador to China, Ambassador to the United Nations, CIA Director and Republican National Chairman -- thus prompting his slogan of "A President We Won't Have to Train" -- Bush was not seen as an early frontrunner in 1980. He surprised the experts, defeating Reagan, John Connally, Howard Baker and the others in an major upset in the Iowa Caucuses. Reagan came back strong and defeated Bush in New Hampshire a few weeks later. Within a month, Bush's campaign folded. Despite the mutual hard feelings remaining from the primary campaign, Reagan picked Bush to be his VP runningmate -- saving Bush from obscurity and placing him on the road to the Oval Office as "Bush 41."

JAY ROBINSON (Green-IA) 2002 - For Governor (Nominee) - 2¼" - Celluloid.

This is a great third party item from the most recent election cycle. Robinson -- a librarian and organic farmer -- headed the Green Party ticket in Iowa. And -- in case you're trying to figure out what the graphics represent -- the answer: grassroots. Robinson placed third with just under 15,000 votes (1.4%). This rare button was manufactured by the campaign and sold directly from the party headquarters.

DWIGHT D. "IKE" EISENHOWER (R) 1952 - For President (Won) - 7/8" - Litho.

In 1952, both parties tried to draft retired 5-star Army General "Ike" Eisenhower for President. Ultimately, Ike decided to run as a Republican -- and defeated conservative Senate GOP leader Bob Taft for the nomination. The slogan on this button seems an early variant of what eventually became the "I LIke Ike" pins. Americans clearly liked Ike, as Eisenhower was easily elected President over Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson (D) in a 55%-44% vote.

GARY HART (D) 1984 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 1½" - Litho.

Colorado Senator Gary Hart's "new ideas" campaign catapulted him from the back of the pack to first tier status early in the 1984 race. He scored a major upset, winning the New Hampshire primary over frontrunner and former Vice President Walter Mondale. Although Hart went on to win numerous other primaries (including many of the "Super Tuesday" states), arcane party delegate selection rules strongly favored Mondale -- as Hart finished in second place at the Democratic National Convention (1,200 delegates - 31%). Hart retired from the Senate in 1986 in order to concentrate on the 1988 Presidential race -- although womanizing problems in 1987 quickly derailed frontrunner Hart's second run. After a lengthy hiatus from electoral politics, he was back again making a third White House run in 2004 (but dropped out in May 2003). A sharp-looking button with an official campaign disclaimer printed on the edge.

20-32

RICHARD NIXON & SPIRO AGNEW (R) - 1973 Inauguration - 3½" - Celluloid - Condition: Slight edge scuffs (as shown).

The 1973 Inauguration -- coming on the heels of the biggest Presidential election landslide win in US history -- was clearly the Nixon Administration's high point of the next two years. Just ten months later, Vice President Agnew -- pictured on the right -- would resign and plea no contest to a felony criminal tax evasion charge related to bribes and kickbacks he accepted as Maryland Governor. Ten months after Agnew resigned, the Watergate scandal would force Richard Nixon to become the first President to ever resign. This historic button is a nice symbol of the tragically doomed second Nixon Administration.

RONALD REAGAN (R) 1976 - For President (Lost for Nomination) - 1¼" - Celluloid.

After retiring as California Governor in 1974, GOP conservative Ronald Reagan made a second run for President in 1976 (his first run was in 1968). Challenging incumbent President Gerald Ford -- a moderate -- for the GOP nomination, Reagan called for a Republican return to the conservative values emphasized by his political mentor, Senator Barry Goldwater. In the beginning, few thought Reagan had any serious chance of derailing Ford's renomination. The pundits received a serious shock in the New Hampshire primary, as Reagan came within 2% of defeating Ford. Reagan made another major push in Florida, finishing second again with 47%. After a poor finish in Illinois, Reagan finally won an upset primary victory in North Carolina. Reagan went on to win primaries in Georgia, Indiana, California and six other states. Reagan battled Ford all the way through the convention, ultimately losing the nomination to Ford by a close floor vote of 1,187 to 1,070 -- but paving the way for Reagan's 1980 victory. A nice vintage Reagan item.

NORM MINETA (D-CA) 1988 - For Congress (Won) - 2" - Flexible Magnet.

First elected to Congress in 1974, Norm Mineta represented the wealthy Silicon Valley area. He rose in seniority over the years, ultimately chairing the influential House Public Works & Transportation Committee during his final two year in the House. He resigned in 1995 to become VP of a large defense contractor. In 1997, he joined the Clinton Administration as Secretary of Commerce. When President Bush took office in 2001, he invited Mineta to serve in his Cabinet as Secretary of Transporation. It was in that capacity that Mineta ordered the grounding of all aircraft on September 11, 2001 in the the minutes after the terrorist attacks. Mineta remains the only Democrat serving in the Bush Cabinet. This magnet -- an official campaign giveaway -- is a hard-to-find item for this two-time Cabinet Secretary.

CONNIE MACK (R-FL) 1994 - For US Senate (Won) - 3" - Celluloid.

Connie Mack III -- grandson of the legendary Philadelphia Athletics baseball team manager/owner Connie Mack -- started his career as a banker before turning to politics. In 1982, he was elected to Congress at age 40. In the House, Mack was an early Newt Gingrich ally and a strong advocate of supply-side economics. Mack ran for US Senate in 1988 on the slogan of "Less Taxes, Less Spending, Less Government, More Freedom" -- and defeated Congressman Buddy MacKay (D) by a narrow 0.8% margin (provided almost entirely by absentee ballots). In 1994, he easily won re-election by a 71%-29% margin over attorney Hugh Rodham (Hillary Rodham Clinton's brother). Mack's political star seems to still be on the rise, as he was one of two finalists on Bob Dole's short-list for the VP nomination in 1996. The telegenic Mack surprised many with his 2000 retirement -- but his son Connie Mack IV was elected to the Florida House the same year (and is positioning himself to soon run for Congress).