Buttoned Up: George H.W. Bush and... Bob Dole?

The dream team that wasn't. Editor's note: To get you in the mood for ballot-casting, The Latest Word is kicking off each weekday between now and the November 4 election with Buttoned Up, a look at political buttons from my family's extensive collection... At first glance, this button featuring George...

By Michael Roberts

October 29, 2008

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The dream team that wasn't.

Editor's note: To get you in the mood for ballot-casting, The Latest Word is kicking off each weekday between now and the November 4 election with Buttoned Up, a look at political buttons from my family's extensive collection...

At first glance, this button featuring George Herbert Walker Bush and Bob Dole doesn't seem that unusual -- except for the fact that the two didn't actually wind up running for the presidency together. Both Bush and Dole, Gerald Ford's veep choice in the 1976 competition he lost to Jimmy Carter, targeted the Oval Office in 1988 -- but when Bush emerged victorious, he passed over the Kansan in favor of Dan Quayle, who, if memory serves, was no Jack Kennedy. Click "More" to see a button commemorating the actual Republican ticket in '88. -- Michael Roberts

Yes, it's true: Dan Quayle was once a heartbeat away from the presidency...

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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