“Vote or Die” and More Election Day Wisdom
In the Hamptons and across the U.S., today is Election Day, the day we get out to the polls and follow the time-honored American tradition of casting a vote. In honor of another time-honored tradition in politics—the campaign slogan—we celebrate our favorite sayings that have driven candidates to victory, and defeat, at the voting booth.
The Five Best…
I Like Ike—So successful in 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower rode “I Still Like Ike” to victory again four years later.
Are You Better Off Now Than You Were Four Years Ago? Ronald Reagan asked voters this question in 1980. As Jimmy Carter will tell you, the answer was a resounding NO.
Cox and Cocktails—Warren Harding used this one as a slam against James Cox’s desire to repeal Prohibition in 1920. Today, anybody and cocktails seems like an okay idea.
It’s the Economy, Stupid—Bill Clinton was talking to George H.W. Bush in 1992, but it was the voters who were listening.
Whatever any candidate in any party in 2012 comes up with to convince voters he or she can fix the situation we’re in.
And the 5 worst…
Who Is James K. Polk?—Henry Clay asked this question in 1844 to point out the anonymity of his foe. America answered with “He’s the guy who beat Henry Clay.”
We Polked You in ’44, We Shall Pierce You in ’52—You read that right. Franklin Pierce was referencing James Polk’s 1844 victory and went on to win one of his own.
Don’t Be a Girly Man: Vote Republican—Arnold Schwarzenegger became the Governator of California with this one. Or despite it.
I’m Not a Witch…I’m You—Okay, maybe it wasn’t an official slogan, but covens everywhere winced when Delaware’s Christine O’Donnell uttered the now-infamous phrase while running for a Senate seat. Come to think of it, it wasn’t only covens doing the wincing.
Vote or Die—Some 7 years after Sean P.Diddy Puffy Puff Daddy Combs tried to inspired the youth vote with this one, we’re still not exactly sure what it means. If you didn’t vote and are still with us, maybe you can shed some light on the matter.