Buttoned Up: William Jennings Bryan and John Worth Kern, Denver's original Democratic nominees

What Bryan lacked in hair, Kern more than made up. 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... This reproduction...

By Michael Roberts

October 28, 2008

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What Bryan lacked in hair, Kern more than made up.

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...

This reproduction displays the first Democratic presidential aspirants to get their party's blessing in Denver: William Jennings Bryan and John Worth Kern, who ran in 1908. The pair wound up being crushed by William Howard Taft, who was more than hefty enough to manage the job; his weight was estimated at around 335 pounds. That's what it means to be large and in charge. -- Michael Roberts

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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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