David Colburn to kickoff library presidential campaign exhibit with discussion of his book on Florida politics

November 3, 2008

David Colburn, historian and author, will speak about his new book “From Yellow Dog Democrats to Red State Republicans” covering Florida’s political trends and its place in national politics at 2 p.m. on Nov. 3 in Smathers Library Room 1A on the first floor. The talk will be followed by a reception at 3 p.m. at the opening of the exhibit “Buttons, Badges and Bumper Stickers – 160 years of Presidential Campaigns” in the Smathers Library second floor exhibit gallery. Colburn will be available for book signing at the reception.

The exhibit includes items from the private collection of John Owen Clark and opens just in time for the 2008 election. Clark will provide commentary at the reception. Sponsored by the Stewards of Florida History, a support group of the PK Yonge Library of Florida History at the University of Florida, and the UF Department of Political Science, Political Campaigning Program, the exhibit is open through Dec. 15.

“Buttons, Badges and Bumper Stickers” illustrates some key components of presidential election campaigns as they have affected Florida, the nation and the candidates themselves. The exhibit introduces viewers to the world of campaign memorabilia from the early ribbons, badges and watch fobs worn to state and national conventions to recent novelty pins.

Featured items include ribbons from the campaigns of Andrew Jackson (1828) and Abraham Lincoln (1860) and an example of a torch carried in turn-of-the-century torch light parades. While the exhibit contains many campaign standards and oddities from candidates who won through to the White House, it also reminds us of the forgotten or unsuccessful bids by Al Smith, the first Catholic candidate, James Cox, founder of Cox Communications, and Barry Goldwater.

The exhibit showcases pins and badges associated with campaign firsts, the evolution of bumper stickers as vehicles for espousing a political cause or candidate and the rise of negative campaigning. The role of Florida in national politics – exemplified in the stormy and controversial voting returns of the 1876 and 2000 presidential elections – is also prominent. An actual West Palm Beach voting booth complete with butterfly ballot is showcased.

The libraries thank Goerings Book Store for their assistance at the book signing. The events are free and open to the public.