Campaigns

This section explores the evolution of campaign posters, emphasizing design alterations and their contextual relevance. The focus is on visual transitions that mirror the transformations in the political and cultural landscapes over time. There is a nuanced artistry and strategic communication encapsulated in campaign posters throughout the years. However, there is also a dark side to campaigns: campaign corruption. There is a focus on the McDonell v. United States Case and how it impacted campaign law and bribery.

Rise of Lithography (19th Century)

Technology: The advent of lithography allowed for mass production of posters with colorful illustrations.
Style: Posters became more visually appealing, incorporating artistic elements to capture attention.
Purpose: Shifted towards building candidate recognition and creating emotional connections with voters.

Grand National Whig Banner: "Onward," lithograph by N.Currier C.1844

World Wars and Propaganda (20th Century)

Style: During the World Wars, campaign posters took on a propaganda tone, emphasizing patriotism and national unity.
Purpose: Motivated citizens to support war efforts and promoted political ideologies.

I Want You, F.D.R - Stay and finish the job! chromolithograph poster by James Montgomery Flagg C.1944

Mid-20th Century to 1970s

Style: Modernist design principles influenced campaign posters, emphasizing simplicity and bold graphics.
Purpose: Reflective of the cultural and social changes of the time, with a focus on individual candidates' personalities.

Nixon's The One! poster C.1968

Late 20th Century

Technology: The introduction of computer graphics and printing technologies allowed for more sophisticated designs.
Style: Posters became more visually dynamic, featuring striking images, stylized typography, and color schemes.
Purpose: Shifted towards branding candidates and distilling complex messages into visually digestible content.

Clinton-Gore Re-election Team, C.1996

Digital Age (Now)

Technology: With the rise of the internet and social media, digital campaign materials became prevalent.
Style: Campaign posters adapted to the digital format, often featuring shareable content optimized for online platforms.
Purpose: Expanded beyond physical posters to include dynamic online visuals, interactive elements, and targeted advertising.

Trump Pence Make America Great Again! C.2016

Artistic Expression (Creative Approaches)

Style: Some campaign posters today feature artistic and unconventional designs, breaking away from traditional norms.
Purpose: To stand out in a visually saturated environment and evoke emotions or convey a specific message.

Hope, color screenprint by Shepard Fairey C.2008

Campaign Crimes: McDonell v. United States (2016)

McDonnell v. United States case, decided by the United States Supreme Court in 2016, centered around former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife, Maureen McDonnell. The case revolved around corruption charges related to the acceptance of gifts and loans from the CEO of Star Scientific, Jonnie Williams, in exchange for promoting Williams' dietary supplement product. Robert McDonnell was convicted on multiple counts of corruption. The case raised questions about the definition of bribery and official corruption. The Supreme Court unanimously overturned McDonnell's conviction, ruling that the prosecution's interpretation of bribery laws was too broad. The decision clarified that for an official act to qualify as corruption, there must be a direct and specific connection between the official act and the gifts or favors received. The decision had implications for the interpretation of corruption laws and set a higher bar for proving corruption in cases involving public officials and the acceptance of gifts or favors.