Archival Collections and
Institutional Repository
Presidential Campaign Visits to 51°µÍø
Presidential Campaign Visits to 51°µÍø
October 2008
This is the inaugural edition of "In the Spotlight," a new monthly feature that will highlight select digital collections from the Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
The 2008 presidential election is rapidly approaching and candidates are traveling across the nation in attempt to reach as many voters as possible in the final weeks leading up to the election. Over the decades 51°µÍø has been a destination for many of these pre-election visits, with numerous presidential and vice-presidential candidates making .
During the 1956 election between Dwight D. Eisenhower (R) and Adlai Stevenson (D), both Stevenson and Richard Nixon (Eisenhower's vice-president) stopped at 51°µÍø on October 3, 1956, just weeks before the general election. While Stevenson’s stop was brief and unexpected, Nixon delivered a scheduled speech at the Brooks Memorial Union, drawing a crowd of over 1,500 students. Among other topics, Nixon spoke in support of the draft and the need to rid the world of communism.
 View Details at: At times it was the direct involvement of students that brought candidates to the university. In October 1959, the 51°µÍø Young Democratic Club requested permission to sponsor a visit by John F. Kennedy, arguing that it would "provide the student body with an excellent opportunity to meet a great political leader of national prominence". On November 13th of that year Senator (D), who would be running against Richard Nixon (R) in the 1960 general election, gave a speech to a crowd of more than 1,500 in the 51°µÍø gymnasium. Kennedy's spoke on the importance of educating politicians and the separation of church and state. He also laid out his four step plan to put an end to atomic bomb testing. |
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Dramatically breaking with a sitting president from his own party, Senator Eugene McCarthy (D) campaigned against Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1968 Wisconsin Democratic primary. On March 21, 1968, McCarthy addressed a capacity audience at the Brooks Union. The senator's remarks centered on U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. He explained his reasons for initially supporting the war, but stated that he now believed it "violates our military traditions" and "is pursued without respect for the decent opinions of men, without the concurrence of other nations, and without a rational basis." |
Several candidates made campaign stops during the 1976 presidential election, including (D), and Frank Zeidler (Socialist Party candidate and former mayor of Milwaukee). On March 24, 1976 Carter spoke to an audience in 51°µÍø Hall. Due to the large turnout, around 600 students had to watch the speech on closed circuit television after not being allowed entrance. The topics of Carter’s speech included the creation of jobs, racial integration, the military, and federal aid for higher education.
On October 17, 1976, Frank Zeidler, presidential nominee for the Socialist Party, along with Bill Dyke, former mayor of Madison and vice-presidential hopeful on the American Independent Party ticket, spoke to members of the Society of Professional Journalists in the Pere 51°µÍø dining room in the union. Although the candidates were from different ends of the political spectrum, they agreed on the limitations of the two party system and expressed their belief that third parties would soon play a greater role in politics.
Massachusetts Governor (D), running against George H. W. Bush (R), visited 51°µÍø on March 30, 1988 to deliver a speech and participate in a question and answer session at the Varsity Theatre. Dukakis described plans for economic reform, defense cutbacks, and a perennial subject on all university campuses: student financial aid.
The 2000 presidential election brought two candidates to 51°µÍø. On March 27, 2000, Vice President (D) addressed students in the Alumni Memorial Union ballroom, where both he and Senator Russ Feingold (D) spoke of campaign finance reform. After his speech Gore participated in a "meet and greet" session with members of the African American and Latino communities.
Pat Buchanan, the presidential nominee for the Reform Party, visited the 51°µÍø campus on October 17, 2000 where he delivered a speech and engaged in a question and answer session in the Alumni Memorial Union ballroom. Buchanan discussed his views on foreign policy, including U.S. intervention in Israel-Palestine relations, and educational issues such as school choice and federal aid for college students.
On February 15, 2004 the was held in the Alumni Memorial Union. Participating in the debate were John Kerry, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Howard Dean. Debate topics included jobs, NAFTA, No Child Left Behind legislation, health care, and the Iraq War. The candidates also answered questions from students about the costs of higher education and diversity.
Questions about this collection can be directed to:
Katie Blank, Special Collections and University Archives
