From Stumps to Web Sites

Gore Research Center - Political Campaigns

Gore Center

From Stumps to Web Sites:

A History of Political Campaigning in Tennessee

Introduction

From 19th Century woodcut to verbose handbills to 21st Century web sites, Tennessee political campaigns and candidates have been colorful. Our unique political figures include frontiersman Davy Crockett, the "fiddling" Taylor brothers, singer Roy Acuff, performer Tex Ritter, race car driver "Coo Coo" Marlin, Anna Belle Clement O'Brien, and Thelma Harper. Of course, the type of advertising used has changed with the times. Sheet music played by live bands at rallies gave way to recorded music played on the radio and television.

With the advent of automobiles, bumper stickers proliferated; hot southern summers inspired campaigners to distribute cardboard fans. Small items such as business cards and buttons remain popular. Identification with a total party ticket has declined in favor of more individual name recognition.

Meeting the people has remained critical throughout Tennessee campaigns, whether the office was local, state, or national.

As early as mid-20th Century, candidates began targeting groups - youth, blacks, women, handicapped, veterans.

Traditionally in the background, women as well as other minority groups, gradually gravitated to the ranks of office holders.

Today, the weapon of choice is the Internet.

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