Hail to the Candidate: Presidential Campaigns from Banners to Broadcasts

A curator at the Smithsonian, Melder ( Beginnings of Sisterhood ) presents persuasive evidence that the so-called ``evils'' of the modern American political system have existed since the nation's birth, bolstering his argument with illustrations of the hats, buttons, banners and other political memorabilia in the museum's collection. The first president, George Washington, was also the first to be concerned about his image (he was idealized even on a memorial pitcher) and the first to be subjected to smears. The substitution of symbols for rational discourse may have reached its zenith in 1840, when William Henry Harrison's handlers saturated the country with pictures of log cabins designed to reinforce the image of Harrison's rustic simplicity and wartime sacrifice. The real difference between campaigns of yesteryear and those of today appears to be the level of participation of the electorate. Before mass communication, the banners and torches, parades and debates of the ``hurrah'' era of campaigning tell of a giant, participatory festival that provided not only information but entertainment to generations of Americans. Thanks to Melder, even-20th century media addicts can revisit that era. (May)