That Cuddly Candidate Seeks To Sweetly Sweep The Swing (as in Playground) States

Promising "hunny" in every pot and puppies for everyone, Winnie the Pooh was the "children's choice" in the "Winnie the Pooh for President" campaign that started in 1968 and was repeated in the following election years of 1972, 1976 and 1980.  In cooperation with Sears —then the exclusive Winnie the Pooh licensee—Disneyland Park ran Pooh as a cuddly candidate focusing on the "youth vote." This delightful letterhead topped Pooh's press release in the 1972 campaign, which was kicked off at the Children's Party convention at the Contemporary Resort Hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. (Ironically, Pooh's opponent—and ultimate victor—Richard M. Nixon delivered his infamous "I am not a crook" speech at the same Disney venue in 1973.) Naturally, Pooh is seen with his press secretary Tigger and political advisor Eeyore in this charming art, depicting the silly old bear's October 21 whistle-stop tour which started in Oakland and ran down the California coast to Disneyland. Stop by tomorrow, Election Day, to see one of Pooh's most prized campaign materials.