Madeleine Albright Takes Campaign Pins to the Next Level at the DNC
The use of campaign buttons dates back to George Washington's inauguration, when supporters wore pins emblazoned with "Long live the president." And over time, the political pin has evolved to sport slogans, shade opponents, and highlight issues important to the time and place of the election.
Last night, Madeleine Albright took the tradition to the next level with a gold Hillary pin and a broken-glass brooch, representing Hillary's breaking of the proverbial glass ceiling. The former Secretary of State tweeted an image of her accessary:
After tonight, this pin will be the only piece of glass ceiling left at #DNCinPHL! #tweetmypins #ImWithHer pic.twitter.com/sm5UUQiVw4
- Madeleine Albright (@madeleine) July 28, 2016
Albright is known for her jewelry collection, having even written a book about her pins called Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box. When she spoke at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, she sported a large gold eagle pin, which also drew praise from Twitter.
But Albright's pins weren't the only ones making a buzz at the DNC.
The official Twitter account of North Carolina's Republican Party mistook Vice-Presidential nominee Tim Kaine's Blue Star Service pin, in honor of his son who is serving in the Marines, for a Honduran flag. They quickly deleted their critical message, though not before New York reporter Ben Amey caught a screen grab. They have since apologized.
Here's a screenshot of that @NCGOP tweet about @timkaine, since they deleted it. #DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/LbAywwnnob
- Ben Amey (@BenAmeyTV) July 28, 2016
Bill Clinton also drew attention to his lapel by sporting a Hillary pin in Hebrew, a not-so-subtle nod to Jewish voters.
I just want to point out Bill Clinton is wearing a Hebrew "Hillary" (הילרי) pin tonight at the Democratic convention pic.twitter.com/ra4MwCjBEg
- (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) July 28, 2016
And finally, Hillary herself received some ire on Twitter for her lack of an American flag pin during her speech last night. She opted for a clean lapel, a choice that some people took issue with:
The woman who wants to be the next President of the United States is not wearing an American flag lapel pin tonight. #DemsInPhilly
- Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 29, 2016
Her white suit may have been a symbolic act itself, though. White is the color that suffragettes traditionally wore when petitioning for women's right to vote.
She’s wearing white. #DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/qEB9hJqpgZ
- Amanda Bower (@heyprofbow) July 29, 2016