Throwback Thursday: Political Ad Edition (1950s & 1960s)

Since all my posts this week have been political (usually I try to mix it up a bit but this week not so much) I wanted to keep the theme consistent for today’s post. Thus, last night I started wondering about old school political ads, here’s what I found:

1. “I Like Ike for President” Ad (1952 & 1956)

“Now is the time for all good Americans to come to the aid of their country.” #Patriotic

2. Adlai Stevenson Ad (1952) – Dwight Eisenhower’s opponent

Gee, that was pretty terrible.

3. JFK Ad (1960)

Catchy tune.

4. Famous LBJ Ad (1964) – A very unsubtle reminder of what might happen if you vote for Barry Goldwater.

“These are the stakes to make a world in which all of God’s children can live or to go into the dark. We must either love each other or we must die. Vote for President Johnson on the 3rd. The stakes are too high for you to stay home.”

Woooow. There were a few of these kinds of Barry Goldwater attack ads. Another one directly mentions Goldwater and also shows a little girl, this time eating an ice cream cone instead of picking a daisy. I believe the message is your children will get nuked if you vote for Goldwater. That’s not heavy handed at all.

5. Nixon Ad (1968)

“Think about it, when the decisions of one man can affect the future of your family for generations to come what kind of a man do you want making those decisions?”

Really Nixon, that’s the rhetoric you were pushing?? Mr. Shady McShyster himself. Damn shame.

In any event, after watching those earlier ads from the late 50s and early 60s I think I miss the campaign jingle. Don’t get me wrong full songs by established artists are a good look as well but man those jingles stay in your head!

“Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy…”