Photograph of Dwight D. Eisenhower superimposed over an illustration of a shield decorated with red and white vertical stripes and a blue upper portion with white text.  Red text on a white background.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th president, serving from 1953-1961. Before his election he was a soldier in WWI and a General, leading forces in WWII. He used his reputation of military strength during his presidency to secure a truce between the US and Korea, ending the Korean War in 1953. Eisenhower also eased tensions in the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. He was first elected in 1952 and won reelection in 1956, both victories were against Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson II.

White and yellow text on a black background.

In his address at the 1987 Annual Convention of Kiwanis International, President Ronald Reagan discussed among numerous topics the issue of tax hikes. During his speech, President Reagan famously noted that:

"From now till the day I leave office, I won't hesitate for one moment to use my veto power. And if a tax hike makes it to my desk, I'll veto it in less time than it takes Vanna White to turn the letters V-E-T-O."

The comment is in reference to Vanna White, a television personality who is best known as the hostess of the popular game show, Wheel of Fortune. The show involves contestants solving word puzzles to win money and other prizes as determined by spinning a giant wheel. White has continued in her role on the show alongside the shows host, Pat Sajak

Red-colored illustration of donkey in center of button with red text on a white background.

Edmund Muskie was an American politician who served as the 58th United States Secretary of State, a Senator on behalf of Maine, the 64th Governor of Maine, a member of the Maine House of Representatives, and as the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate in the 1968 election. This button was likely created in support of his campaign for the Vice Presidency. 

Photograph of Lyndon B. Johnson on a white background with vertical red stripes and blue text.

Photograph of United States Capital Building flanked by illustrations of American flags and inset portrait photographs of George Bush and Dan Quayle.  Illustration of yellow scroll below portraits unraveling to center of button.  White text in center on black background.

Incumbent President George H.W. Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle sought reelection in the 1992 presidential election. They ran against Democratic nominees Bill Clinton and Al Gore and Independent nominee Ross Perot. In his previous term, Bush lost the support of many conservatives in the Republican party for failing to deliver on his campaign promise to not raise taxes and ultimately lost the election to Clinton and Gore. 

Cartoon-style illustration of Ronald Reagan on a blue background with white stars.

Ronald Reagan was the 40th president of the United States. He served two terms from the years 1981-1989. Prior to becoming president, Reagan worked in Hollywood appearing in 53 films. His Hollywood career was put on hold when he was drafted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1942. His film skills were put to use during his active duty as he assisted making air force training videos and documentaries.

His political views shifted from liberal to conservative after his time in active duty. In 1954, he became a television host for the General Electric Company. Off screen, General Electric would have him give speeches about various conservative topics. He would travel to various General Electric plants to give speeches and connect with the employees on a personal level. This went on until 1962. In 1966, he was elected governor of California where he served two terms. He started campaigning for the Republican Party’s presidential candidate for the 1976 election. Reagan and his running-mate, George H. W. Bush, beat sitting president Jimmy Carter in a landslide victory in the 1980 election. Running as the incumbents in 1984, Reagan and Bush won 49 out of 50 states against former Vice President Walter Mondale. Reagan is remembered for his fiscal policies, also known as “Reaganomics,” and is often referenced as a hero-figure by the Republican Party.

Green and red text on a white background.
 

The slogan “Reagan Knew and Forgot” is associated with the Iran-Contra scandal during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. The scandal came about in November 1986 when Reagan negotiated the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for the release of the seven American hostages that were being held in Lebanon. The Iranian group that was holding the hostages was connected with the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution. Arms were supplied to Iran from August 20, 1985 to October 28, 1986.

Although some of the hostages were released, three more Americans were abducted in October 1986. It is not clear what Reagan’s role was in the scandal, but the situation affected his popularity and his approval ratings dropped from 67 to 46 percent. Furthermore, the scandal severely damaged the United States’ reputation abroad. There were several investigations and indictments as a result of the scandal; however, George H. W. Bush, at the end of his presidency, ultimately pardoned all of those indicted or convicted.

Blue-colored illustration of Ronald Reagan wearing a cow boy hat with rural landscape in the background with mountains, hills and Mount Rushmore.  Blue and white text.

Republican politician Ronald W. Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. His journey to the Oval Office was helped by conservative states like South Dakota, which saw itself as a part of “Reagan Country.” Though Reagan did not have any direct ties to South Dakota, he knew he could count on the state to vote in his favor during his two election cycles.  It also helped that prior to the presidency, Reagan was a popular actor who starred in several television westerns. South Dakotans, taking a strong liking to these shows and seeing themselves in the actor, overwhelmingly supported Reagan in his bids for presidency.

Illustration of elephant wearing a caparison on a white background inside a red-lined circle.  Blue text along outside edge of button.

Barry Goldwater was a U.S. Senator from Arizona and in 1964 won the primary election to become the Republican Party’s nominee for the Presidential race. Despite losing in 44 states, Goldwater decisively won six southern states, demonstrating his popularity with conservative voters. During this election it was still illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to vote inspiring the sentiment behind this button. This would not change until 1971 with the passage of the 26th amendment to the U.S. Constitution to lower the voting age to 18 years old. 

Blue-tinted photograph of Bill Clinton with red, white and blue outer border with white and red text.

William (Bill) Jefferson Clinton was the 42nd president of the United States. Before his time as president, Clinton was a law professor at the University of Arkansas and then the governor of Arkansas. Spawning from his popular public perception during the gubernatorial campaign, the nickname "Slick Willie" was first coined by Pine Bluff Commercial journalist, Paul Greenberg, in 1980. Once elected, Clinton continued to be seen in a very charismatic light, speaking with a familiar cadence and playing his saxophone on The Arsenio Hall Show. During his time in office, opponents and pundits would use this nickname in connection with the allegations against him of sexual misconduct. Four woman have accused Clinton of sexual misconduct, including the highly publicized scandal between Clinton and his then White House Intern, Monica Lewinsky.