Political Slogans and Their Impact on Elections

The assignment explores the role of political slogans in shaping public perception and influencing electoral outcomes. It delves into the history of famous slogans such as 'A chicken in every pot' and 'Read my lips: no new taxes,' examining their impact on election results and the politicians who used them. The analysis also touches on the use of slogans in more recent elections, highlighting their continued relevance in modern politics.

SLOGAN ANALYSIS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Analysing slogans and including comments on context, language features and stylistic devices
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REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

MAIN BODY
Analysing slogans and including comments on context, language features and stylistic devices
1. Tippecanoe and Tyler too
Tippecanoe and Tyler too was a popular campaign song of Whig's party, a political party
in the US. It was used in colourful Log Cabin Campaign in the 1840 presidential elections of US.
Tippecanoe was the candidate, William Henry Harrison, hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe in
1811 and John Tyler was candidate for vice presidential post (Tippecanoe and Tyler Too:
Meaning, History & Significance. 2018). The presidential election was won by both Tippecanoe
and Tyler and it was made to Harrison's victory over the Shawnee at Tippecanoe in 1811, basis
for his career, reminding people of his success in past on frontier.
2. Don’t swap horses in the middle of the stream
It was being used by President Abraham Lincoln in re-election campaign was reference
to his presidency during Civil war. Election because was held during this war, Lincoln was afraid
of losing voters based on strong democratic opposition. In this context, Lincoln's presidency was
the horse caught in middle of stream referred to Civil war (Mieder, 2017). The language feature
is clear as it highlighted and illuminated risks and impracticalities of switching in presidents
during the mid-war. Seeking this, with the help of this slogan, mass support was generated in
first term. While, he sealed 55 % of vote in second term against opponent George B. McClellan.
3. Patriotism, Protection and Prosperity
The slogan being provided by William McKinley's motto from election in 1896 named as
Patriotism, Protection and Prosperity. The slogan was quite impactful as it created impact by
making it sound poignant. It is required that slogan should make impact and try to convince
voters that they want to vote for someone who could stand for something that big which they
aspire to be (McDonald. 2016). The slogan was quite effective in real context as it provides basic
human needs of safety, survival and supporting labourer as well.
4. A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage
The slogan was provided by Hoover in 1928 during time of national prosperity,
Republican presidential candidate made outrageous promise during campaign of A chicken in
every pot and a car in every garage (A chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage. 2016).
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If Hoover were to use federal government today to implement promise for every American
people, price tag would lead to over $5 billion.
5. Not just Peanuts
This slogan was used by Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter after winning unexpectedly
democratic primary in the year 1976. He sought for making stress upon his humble roots as a
peanut farmer and proved that he was the candidate to be taken seriously (MAG. 2009). He then
proved the same with his slogan Not just Peanuts for making clear that he was serious candidate
for the post and consist all required skills and capabilities, Governor should posses.
6. Leave no child behind
The slogan was given by Children's Defence Fund, organisation committed to care
children and leaving no child behind in any manner. As a result, George Bush was forced to
change name of his initiatives with regards to education and creatively, it became 'No Child left
behind' (ESC. 2004). The main idea behind this slogan to provide good education to all children
and when to vacate any Catholic Church, they should be diligent and make sure that no child is
left behind to tender mercies from the local priest. Thus, this slogan was used to bring equality.
7. God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve
The slogan was originated from conservative Christian slogan intended to summarise
Judeo-Christian based on Bible arguments against gay sexual practices (Kaoma, 2018). The main
stylistic device and context of saying slogan implied that natural human life is being
demonstrated by Bible-based creation of humans as male and female pair. It can be analysed that
people should not make biasness in accordance to the sexual orientation of humans as God has
not made any differentiation or restriction on same sex attraction. This phrase was also used by
Democratic Unionist Party MP David Simpson in British House of Commons' debate that was
based on same sex marriage.
8. Make love not war
The slogan is an anti-war one associated with American counter culture in 1960.
Primarily used for those who were in opposition to Vietnam war but is invoked in other anti-war
contexts (Allyn, 2016). Make love is being referred to initiating practice of free love which was
growing in youth of America who have criticised marriage for people who supported war and
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favoured traditional capitalist culture up to a major extent. Thus, stylistic device being referred to
promote love and not war in effective manner for making peaceful world to live in.
9. Labour isn’t working
It was regarded as advertising campaign in the UK and was run by Conservative Party in
1978 in anticipation that Prime Minister of Labour Party, James Callaghan would make a call for
general election. It was reviewed that unemployment was high after war between 5-6 %. The
advertising campaign was successful as it was viewed in parlance as backing up conservative
claims against labour (Holloway and Pimlott‐Wilson, 2016). It was re-used in 1979 in elections
and Conservatives won election by having 43 seat majorities with party leader becoming Prime
Minister of the nation. It was again used in later years as it was quite effective in highlighting
weaknesses of system in reducing unemployment rates.
10. Read my lips: no new taxes
It is a phrase being spoked by George Bush at 1988 Republican National Convention.
The main theme of giving this line was most prominent and he pledged not to take tax from
American people further being consistent part of 1988 election of Bush. The slogan was mainly
based on the context of earning good votes in the election and come to power (Williamson,
2017). The impact of such election promise was considered and supporters believed it helped
George Bush to win presidential election in the year 1988. However, such promise was not kept
considered and was partially attained in favour of American people.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Allyn, D., 2016. Make love, not war: the sexual revolution: an unfettered history. Routledge.
Holloway, S. L. and Pimlott‐Wilson, H., 2016. New economy, neoliberal state and
professionalised parenting: mothers’ labour market engagement and state support for social
reproduction in class‐differentiated Britain. Transactions of the Institute of British
Geographers.41(4). pp.376-388.
Kaoma, K., 2018. Contesting the Biblical Adam and Eve Narrative: Jesus on Sexual Diversity.
In Christianity, Globalization, and Protective Homophobia (pp. 149-169). Palgrave
Macmillan, Cham.
Mieder, W., 2017. “Little Pitchers Have Big Ears”: The Intricate World of Children and
Proverbs. Children's Folklore Review. 38. pp.39-56.
Williamson, V. S., 2017. Read My Lips: Why Americans Are Proud to Pay Taxes. Princeton
University Press.
ONLINE
A chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage. 2016 [Online] Available
Through:<http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question101957.html>
ESC. 2004 Leave No Child Behind [Online] Available
Through:<https://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/27/messages/947.html>
MAG. 2009 10 Memorable Presidential Campaign Slogans [Online] Available
Through:<http://mentalfloss.com/article/22920/10-memorable-presidential-campaign-
slogans>
McDonald. 2016 Four Tips for creating effective campaign slogans [Online] Available
Through:<http://www.prejeancreative.com/pc_blog/2016/07/12/four-tips-for-creating-
effective-campaign-slogans/>
Tippecanoe and Tyler Too: Meaning, History & Significance. 2018 [Online] Available Through:
<https://study.com/academy/lesson/tippecanoe-and-tyler-too-meaning-history-
significance.html>
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