• Politics

Why Republicans Run in Cowboy Boots

Cowboy Boots Paul Ryan
Even Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin has been known to wear them.J.D. Pooley—Getty Images
By Ryan Teague Beckwith
Politics. Personalities. USA. pic: August 1981. Santa Barbara, California. President Ronald Reagan shows off his cowboy boots. Ronald Reagan (born 1911) became the 40th President of the United States serving from 1981-1989.
Like a lot of Republican ideas, the trend toward wearing cowboy boots began with Ronald Reagan.Popperfoto/Getty Images
BUSH PERRY HUTCHISON
President George W. Bush, showing off boots with the presidential seal here at his inauguration, furthered the trend.Pablo Martinez Monsivais—AP
Cowboy Boots Tim Pawlenty
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, shown here on the stump in Iowa, favored cowboy boots.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
Cowboy Boots Rick Santorum
They're also a favored fashion statement for former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.NBC News/Getty Images
Cowboy Boots Rudy Giuliani
Even former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was known to sport a pair.Jose Luis Magana—AP
Cowboy Boots Sarah Palin
It's not just men. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been known to put on a pair of cowboy boots.Jeff J. Newman—ZUMA Press/Corbis
Huckabee Campaigns As January 3rd Iowa Caucus Approaches
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also goes for the look.Justin Sullivan—Getty Images
PERRY
Like his predecessor, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry long favored cowboy boots, but he's no longer able to wear them.Tom Worner—AP
Ted Cruz
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is also a fan.Charlie Neibergall—AP
On the Road with Rand Paul
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul also favors boots with blue jeans, a classic Western look.Charles Ommanney—Getty Images
Cowboy Boots Bobby Jindal
These days, if you're running for president as a Republican, chance are good that you are wearing cowboy boots.Richard Shiro—AP
Cowboy Boots Paul Ryan
Even Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin has been known to wear them.J.D. Pooley—Getty Images

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