The best photo wins

Back in 1956, there was a lot of harrumphing in political circles after Virginia Grant was elected Democratic national committeewoman from Oregon, beating her rival Gladys Last. The complaints centered on the fact that 33-year-old Grant was pretty much an unknown with no political experience (she was a waitress at the Aloha Room bar in Portland) who didn't bother to campaign much at all, whereas 46-year-old Last was an old-hand at politics and had campaigned actively.

But what really scandalized people was that in the voters' pamphlet mailed to all registered Democrats, Grant included a "glamour shot" of herself, while Last just used a "regular photo." And it seems to have been the photo that tipped the election in Grant's favor. She won by an 18,000 vote margin over Last.

Their photos are below. (I could only find a watermarked photo of Last's). Which one would you have voted for?

Posted By: Alex - Fri Dec 26, 2014 - Comments (8)
Category: Politics, 1950s

Cat takes center stage

November 12, 1951: As British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden was delivering an address at a meeting of the General Assembly of the U.N. in Paris, urging calm in Europe, a black cat suddenly got up on the stage and strolled across it, without a care in the world. This prompted discussion in the media as to whether the cat was a sign of good or bad luck. It was finally agreed to be a sign of good luck since a black cat in France is apparently a good omen (which I didn't know).

I think most political speeches would be greatly improved if cats randomly wandered across the stage during them.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Oct 18, 2014 - Comments (9)
Category: Politics, Cats, 1950s

Destination Earth

Mars needs petroleum byproducts!

Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 21, 2014 - Comments (5)
Category: Aliens, Business, Advertising, Products, Motor Vehicles, Politics, 1950s

Andrew “Bossy” Gillis, Two-Fisted Mayor of Newburyport

As intermittent mayor, he ran Newburyport, MA, from his gas station, and when out of office was not averse to punching the current mayor in the face.

There's a good summary of his antics here.

The kind of authentic politician so lacking today. The article from 1937 below gives some of his flavor.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 04, 2014 - Comments (6)
Category: Politics, Curmudgeons and Contrarianism, 1920s, 1930s

Self-Elected

Congratulations to Asad Asif on his recent election to the Middlesex County Republican Committee. What makes this unusual is that he was elected with only a single vote — his own. During the primary election, he was the only person who bothered to cast a vote for that position, and he wrote in his own name, thereby securing the position.

Of course, what makes this a lot less remarkable is that it's a meaningless position that no one else wants. So the Republicans basically have to beg people to do it. And a lot of the time it's unfilled. [newbrunswicktoday.com]

Posted By: Alex - Wed Jun 25, 2014 - Comments (5)
Category: Politics

The Republic of Indian Stream

I love these charming bits of history that reveal a more eccentric America, where things were more fluid, creative and wild.

More info here and here.

And here's what the bustling center of the Republic and its citizens look like today.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Apr 26, 2014 - Comments (9)
Category: Politics, Regionalism, Curmudgeons and Contrarianism, North America, Nineteenth Century

Abe Lincoln’s Ghost

Don't go mistaking any old tall ghost for Lincoln.

Original article here.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 16, 2014 - Comments (9)
Category: Dreams and Nightmares, Politics, Superstition, 1980s, Nineteenth Century

Do the President Twist

Posted By: Paul - Thu Dec 19, 2013 - Comments (9)
Category: Music, Politics, 1960s

Abstract Controversy

This painting was commissioned and displayed in a public building in the 1960s. It immediately aroused ire and controversy and disgust. Can you guess why?

Answer after the jump.



More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Sun Oct 20, 2013 - Comments (7)
Category: Art, Confusion, Misunderstanding, and Incomprehension, Death, Politics, 1960s

Dwight Eisenhower, Artist

I did not know, until I saw a mention in The New York Times for September 15, 2012, that President Dwight Eisenhower had been an amateur painter.

What a token of a distant, more civilized era. Imagine a current President having the time to devote to such fripperies.

An article, with pictures, about his career exists. PDF here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 25, 2013 - Comments (6)
Category: Art, Politics, Historical Figure, 1950s