A Brief Visual History of Eating on the Campaign Trail
A Brief Visual History of Eating on the Campaign Trail
2 minute read
Robert Kennedy, managing his brother's presidential campaign, stops for a snack at a restaurant in Spanish Harlem. August 25, 1960.Bettmann—Getty Images
On Monday, the Republican presidential race returned to a subject that has deep roots in the history of American politics: what, where and how candidates eat while they campaign.
At an event in Rhode Island, candidate Donald Trump mocked the eating habits of his rival John Kasich, saying that he had “never seen a human being eat in such a disgusting fashion.” (Kasich earned attention in New York for “going wild” with two helpings of spaghetti.)
It’s not the first time that the 2016 race has turned culinary, as Hillary Clinton’s hot sauce choices and Bernie Sanders’ soul-food sit-down have also garnered headlines. And candidates have long campaigned on their stomachs, breaking bread with citizens across the country as a way to demonstrate their solidarity with local people—and to keep up their energy on the long road toward Election Day. It has become, as the New York Timesphrased it in 1976, “one of the more familiar rites” of an election year.
To celebrate that rite, here’s a look back at some of the campaign chow that has graced the plates of America’s most famous politicians.
Gov. Joseph Ely of Massachusetts, left, candidate for re-election, and Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York, stop for a hot dog on the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts, Oct. 30, 1932, where they are campaigning together. AP PhotoAdlai E. Stevenson (3L), Massachusetts Governor Paul Denver (4L) and John F. Kennedy (L) during their campaign trail, eating, 1952.Mark Kauffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPresident Eisenhower drinks soda from a bottle during the big Republican rally at his Gettysburg farm, which was the kickoff of his campaign for re-election. Sept. 13, 1956.Bettmann—Getty ImagesRichard M. Nixon eating cranberries with his meal during campaign. 1959.Paul Schutzer—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesRobert Kennedy, managing his brother's presidential campaign, stops for a snack at a restaurant in Spanish Harlem. August 25, 1960.Bettmann—Getty ImagesDemocratic Presidential nominee Jimmy Carter, left, eats some freshly roasted barbecue chicken with his brother Billy Carter at Billy's gas station, Sept 11, 1976, Plains, Ga. Jeff Taylor—AP PhotoDuring the election campaign, President Gerald Ford and his running mate Bob Dole eat hot dogs at a photo opportunity in Dole's hometown, Russell, Kansas, August 1976. Dirck Halstead—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty ImagesSenator Ted Kennedy laughs as he shares a meal with unidentified supporters at a restaurant during his campaign tour for the Democratic nomination for president, 1980. Robert R. McElroy—Getty ImagesFormer Vice President Walter Mondale holds an apron bearing an image of a bagel-presented to him during a visit to Zabar's Deli, campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. March 25, 1984.Bettmann—Getty ImagesSen. Gary Hart bites into a slice of pizza while on the campaign trail in Boston's historic Faneuil Hall district, March 5, 1984.George Whitney—AP PhotoPresident George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush patronizing food stand during campaign stop at state fair. Aug. 23, 1992.Dirck Halstead—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty ImagesDemocratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton eats an ice cream cone with running mate Al Gore at the My Favorite shop in Buffalo, New York. The candidates are on the last day of their third bus tour. Aug. 23, 1992.Tim Clary—AFP/Getty ImagesRepublican presidential candidate Bob Dole and California Governor Pete Wilson grill a steak during the annual Republican steak and Oyster Feed in Sacramento, Calif., Oct. 27, 1996. Dole was in the middle of a three day campaign trip through California. J. David Ake—AFP/Getty ImagesRepublican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan and wife Shelley eat lunch at the local McDonald's restaurant in Greenwood, South Carolina, during a break while driving across the state for campaign stops. Feb. 28, 1996.Chris Wilkins—AFP/Getty ImagesVice President and presidential candidate Al Gore laughs as he stirs a vegetable stew as volunteer Veronica Park(2nd-L), Rep. Tony Hall, D-OH, and volunteer Olivia Ivy(R) look on during food preparation for the homeless as part of World Hunger Day Oct. 15, 1999, at Martha's Table in Washington, DC. Mario Tama—AFP/Getty Images
