Vote Straight Democratic Ticket

Jugate featuring John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson between white text over red, white, and blue background.

This button dates from the 1960 US Presidential campaign of Democrats John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) and Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973). At the time of the campaign, both Kennedy and Johnson were US Senators. Kennedy was from Massachusetts and Johnson was from Texas. They ran against the Republican candidates, Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) and Henry Cabot Lodge (1902-1985). The race was close in the popular election, but Kennedy and Johnson received 303 of the 537 Electoral College votes; Nixon and Lodge received only 219. The 1960 US Presidential election may be remembered as the first election with live, televised candidate debates. Kennedy appeared cool and collected. Nixon, who had been ill and refused to wear television make-up, was fidgety and noticeably sweating.