Presidents and Campaigns


Blaines and guests, Bar Harbor, 1889

Blaines and guests, Bar Harbor, 1889
Item 20919   info
Maine Historical Society

At the summer residence of politician James G. Blaine (1830-1893) in Bar Harbor are, front row, from left, James G. Blaine Jr., Mrs. Henry Cabot Lodge, President Benjamin Harrison, Harriet Stanwood Blaine, wife of James G. Blaine, who is next to her, and Harriet Blaine, their daughter.

In the back row, from left, are Henry Cabot Lodge, Walker Blaine, son of James Sr. and Harriet; and E.W. Halford, private secretary to President Harrison.

Blaine served in the Maine House of Representatives, the U.S. House, where he was Speaker from 1869-1875. He was U.S. Secretary of State in 1881 and 1889-1892 and a candidate for president in 1884.

Henry Cabot Lodge (1850-1924) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts at the time the photo was taken. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1893-1924.

Theodore Roosevelt, Old Orchard Beach, 1902

Theodore Roosevelt, Old Orchard Beach, 1902
Item 134   info
Maine Historical Society

President Theodore Roosevelt waves to the crowd that surrounds his train at Old Orchard Beach in 1902.

Roosevelt was known for his conservation efforts -- preserving parks and forestland. He served as president from 1901-1909.

He won a Nobel Peace prize in 1906 for his work in negotiating the Treaty of Portsmouth that ended the Russo-Japanese War.

Theodore Roosevelt visiting Portland, 1902

Theodore Roosevelt visiting Portland, 1902
Item 156   info
Maine Historical Society

President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) waved his hat to an excited crowd outside the home of Thomas B. Reed in Portland.

Roosevelt was president from 1901-1909. He was William McKinley's vice president, elected in 1900. McKinley was assassinated, dying on Sept. 14, 1901 and advancing Roosevelt to the presidency.

Thomas Brackett Reed (1839-1902) served in the U.S. House from 1877-1899. He was Speaker of the House from 1889-1891 and 1895 until his resignation in 1899.

President Taft arrives in Biddeford Pool, July 28, 1910

President Taft arrives in Biddeford Pool, July 28, 1910
Item 23621   info
McArthur Public Library

The president of the United States, William Howard Taft (in dark coat and white yachting cap), can be seen stepping across the landing, after leaving the launch from the presidential yacht Mayflower.

The white Mayflower can be seen offshore, to the right of Stage Island. Notice the clothing trends of the time (especially the woman in the white dress).

President Taft campaigning, Sanford, 1912

President Taft campaigning, Sanford, 1912
Item 9564   info
Sanford-Springvale Historical Society

In his bid for reelection, President William Howard Taft made a rare campaign stop in Sanford on October 23, 1912, for half an hour. He is believed to be one of the only sitting presidents to visit Sanford. Taft is the large man standing in the open car with his back toward the camera.

The police officer standing directly before President Taft is Joseph Frechette (1878-1932). The man wearing the derby standing next to the left-rear bumper is believed to be Clifford Holdsworth, who lived to be more than 100 years old and donated Holdsworth Park to the Town of Sanford. It is noted on the original photo that Russell Goodall is also standing next to the car.

William Howard Taft, Houlton, 1917

William Howard Taft, Houlton, 1917
Item 18465   info
Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum

Former President William Howard Taft (1857-1930) visited Maine on May 17, 1917.

Taft, an Ohio Republican, was elected president from in 1908 and served one term. He was chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1921-1930.

President Harding, Poland Spring, 1921

President Harding, Poland Spring, 1921
Item 6752   info
Maine Historical Society

President Warren Harding (1865-1923) visited Poland Spring in 1921, enjoying the recreation offered by the resort.

Harding, who was elected in 1920, died in office in 1923.

The Ricker family, owners of the resort, began operating an inn informally in 1793. They built the Wentworth Riccar Inn in 1797. By the early 20th century, the popular resort offered golfing, swimming, fresh Maine air, walking trails, horseback riding, the noted Poland Spring mineral water, and other amenities.

President Roosevelt, Eastport, 1936

President Roosevelt, Eastport, 1936
Item 23406   info
National Archives at Boston

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt looks over the model of the Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Project, which was intended to utilize the power of tides to generate electricity.

Roosevelt managed to fund the project for one year during the Great Depression. Housing and other facilities were built in Quoddy Village before the project was abandoned.

This photograph was taken on July 30, 1936.

Nixons and Guy P. Gannett, 1952

Nixons and Guy P. Gannett, 1952
Item 6117   info
Maine Historical Society

From left, Richard M. Nixon shakes hands with Guy P. Gannett, publisher of the Portland Press Herald and head of Gannett Publications. Patricia Nixon and Fred Scribner are looking on.

Nixon, a California Republican, was elected vice president in 1952 and again in 1956, running with Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Nixon was elected president in 1968 and re-elected in 1972.

'Yes, I'll Try a Pair' cartoon, 1964

'Yes, I'll Try a Pair' cartoon, 1964
Item 12115   info
Margaret Chase Smith Library

Vic Runtz worked for the Bangor Daily News, which published his political cartoon on January 28, 1964, showing Senator Margaret Chase Smith at a sporting goods store picking out a pair of running shoes. Margaret Chase Smith was running for US President in 1964.

The shoes have a sign over them saying "GOP Presidential Primary." A little man representing Maine is waving a Dirigo banner watching the Senator and a little press cat is writing "'Formidable' is the word for Margaret!"

Margaret Chase Smith campaigning for President, New Hampshire, 1964

Margaret Chase Smith campaigning for President, New Hampshire, 1964
Item 12112   info
Margaret Chase Smith Library

Margaret Chase Smith stood in front of a pile of pulp wood at the Groveton Paper Company in Groveton, New Hampshire, during her Presidential campaign in 1964.

Margaret Chase Smith for President Campaign Button, 1964

Margaret Chase Smith for President Campaign Button, 1964
Item 12114   info
Margaret Chase Smith Library

A button from Margaret Chase Smith's 1964 presidential campaign.

The button has a picture of the Skowhegan Republican on it, with her name and "For President."

Margaret Chase Smith (1897-1995) took over the U.S. House seat held by her husband, Clyde Smith, after his death in 1940. She served in the U.S. Senate from 1949-1973.

We Want A Woman In The White House

We Want A Woman In The White House
Item 12229   info
Margaret Chase Smith Library

Sheet music of a song written by Bucky Searles and Dick Nirenberg and copyrighted in 1964 for Republican Margaret Chase Smith's presidential campaign.

The words to the song are as follows : We want a woman in the White House, we want some hist'ry to be made....To make the country hustle, give Uncle Sam a bustle, and make the Gen'ral Staff the ladie's aid. We want a woman with some know-how....Someone to carry on the fight....She'd eliminate a war and be home again by four, She's a woman and a woman's always right. She has a secret weapon that would cast a peaceful spell. It's "Bingo" played by Hotline with Nikita and Fidel. Evacuate the Pentagon; On this we're standing pat....But leave the building standing and we'll put in a laundromat. WE WANT A WOMAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE, Someone who really knows the score she would make the G.O.P. join the Democrats for tea, With a WOMAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE, and you know that it's the right house, with a woman President in Sixty-Four.

Lyndon B. Johnson's visit to Portland, 1964

Lyndon B. Johnson's visit to Portland, 1964
Item 9542   info
Maine Historical Society

Majorettes and band members stand amongst the crowds during Lyndon Johnson's visit to Portland September 28, 1964 during his campaign for re-election as President of the United States.

Johnson, a Democrat, became president when John F. Kennedy was assassinated Nov. 22, 1963. Johnson was elected in 1964 and served one full term.

Lyndon B. Johnson in Portland, 1964

Lyndon B. Johnson in Portland, 1964
Item 9544   info
Maine Historical Society

Lyndon B. Johnson came to campaign in Portland, September 28, 1964, for re-election as President. The visit included parades, processions, a rally, and speeches.

Vice presidential campaign poster, 1968

Vice presidential campaign poster, 1968
Item 10622   info
Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library

This poster was used during the 1968 vice presidential campaign. Muskie, a native of Rumford, was the running mate of Vice President Humbert H. Humphrey, the Democratic party's presidential candidate.

Muskie was Maine governor from 1955-1959, U.S. Senator from Maine from 1959-1980, and ran in the Democratic primary for president in 1972. He did not win the nomination.

Edmund S. Muskie and family, 1968

Edmund S. Muskie and family, 1968
Item 10815   info
Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library

Senator Edmund S. Muskie, his wife Jane, and son Ned, age 10, await the 1968 election results.

Muskie was the Democratic vice presidential nominee, running with Hubert H. Humphrey.

Muskie bumper sticker, 1972

Muskie bumper sticker, 1972
Item 10625   info
Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library

This bumper sticker is from Sen. Edmund S. Muskie's 1972 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

California governor campaigning, 1980

California governor campaigning, 1980
Item 10945   info
Maine Historical Society

California Governor Jerry Brown shakes hands with supporters in Saco, January 31, 1980, as part of a campaign tour. He sought the Democratic nomination for president.

This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

Democrats share laugh, Lewiston, 1980

Democrats share laugh, Lewiston, 1980
Item 10976   info
Maine Historical Society

Maine Senator George Mitchell, left, First Lady Rosalyn Carter, and Governor Joseph Brennan, share a laugh at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in Lewiston, October 27, 1980. Mrs. Carter was in Maine promoting the re-election bid of her huband, President Jimmy Carter.

Willman worked for United Press Interational, a wire service that provided news and photographs to various organizations.

This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

Edward Kennedy campaigning, Portland, 1980

Edward Kennedy campaigning, Portland, 1980
Item 10956   info
Maine Historical Society

Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy gave a "fire and brimstone" speech in Portland on February 1, 1980, in his effort to gain Maine Democratic support for his presidential campaign.

This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

Senator Kennedy on campaign tour, 1980

Senator Kennedy on campaign tour, 1980
Item 10946   info
Maine Historical Society

Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy, standing with Maine Governor Joseph Brennan, greets a crowd in Lewiston on January 15, 1980, as part of Kennedy's campaign tour for the Democratic nomination for president.



This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

John F. Kennedy Jr., Portland, 1979

John F. Kennedy Jr., Portland, 1979
Item 10657   info
Maine Historical Society

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Maine Governor Joseph E. Brennan are shown at a campaign stop in Portland, December 8, 1979.

They were supporting the candidacy of Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy for the Democratic nomination for President.

This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

Gus Hall, presidential candidate, 1980

Gus Hall, presidential candidate, 1980
Item 10979   info
Maine Historical Society

Gus Hall, the Communist Party presidential candidate, spoke to reporters in Portland on October 21, 1980. He was the first Communist Party candidate on the Maine presidential ballot since 1940.


Gene Willman, the photographer, worked for the wire service, United Press International.


This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

George Bush, presidential candidate, Portland, 1979

George Bush, presidential candidate, Portland, 1979
Item 10648   info
Maine Historical Society

George H. W. Bush makes a point to reporters at a news conference on August 8, 1979. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for president. He lost the nomination but became the vice presidential running mate of Ronald Reagan. The pair was elected.

This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

Candidate Bush on beach, Kennebunkport, 1980

Candidate Bush on beach, Kennebunkport, 1980
Item 10969   info
Maine Historical Society

Republican Vice Presidential candidate George H. W. Bush responds to cheers from onlookers at the beach on Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, his family's summer estate.

He was running with Ronald Reagan for the presidency in 1980.

Gene Willman, the photographer, worked for the Kennebec Journal. The cut line reads: "esw/Gene Willman.


This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

George Bush, Dorothy Walker Bush, Billy Graham, Kennebunkport, 1980

George Bush, Dorothy Walker Bush, Billy Graham, Kennebunkport, 1980
Item 10968   info
Maine Historical Society

Republican Vice Presidential candidate George Bush, his mother, Dorothy Walker Bush, and evangelist Billy Graham pose near the Bush family summer estate at Walker's Point on August 3, 1980.

This item is in copyright. Rights and reproductions for all UPI (United Press International) images are currently managed by Getty Images. The Maine Memory Network includes this and other UPI images for educational purposes only, and cannot broker its use. For more information, please contact Getty Images Customer Support.

This slideshow contains 27 items