Considering the crazy ways things seem to keep happening after we send the politicians from both political parties to Washington D.C., a new kind of candidate for President might not be a bad idea. Or, we could revive an old campaign.........
On March 4, 1948, Howdy Doody, the marionette star of the Howdy Doody Show, the first nationally shown daily television show for children, announced his candidacy for President. While some people did not take Howdy's candidacy seriously, the response from his main constituency, kids, was amazing. Over 250,00 requests came in for "I'm for Howdy" campaign buttons.
"Buffalo Bob" (Bob Smith) , Howdy's co-star and the show's host had hired gag writer Eddie Kean to work with the show. Over the years, Kean wrote 99 songs and 1,980 scripts during his tenure on the show. He wrote the two campaign songs featured on this page, "I'm for Howdy Doody" and "Howdy Doody for President.
Howdy's campaign platform promised, amongst many other things appealing to most kids,
two Christmas holidays but fewer school days a year and more pictures
in history books. Time magazine even took note of the campaign, reporting
that Howdy was also pushing for free admission to the circus and rodeo.
Advertising sponsors
joined in Howdy's campaign efforts. Children were invited to vote
by filling out a form printed on the end of Wonder
Bread bags. Post Cereals included a Howdy Doody for president
ring.
When the final votes were tallied, Well known TV columnist Jack
Gould reported that Howdy finished third in the overall presidential
race that year, behind Harry Truman and Thomas Dewey, but racked up 10 times the
votes afforded Henry Wallace.
Howdy Doody campaign songs in MP3 format:
I'm for Howdy Doody!
Howdy Doody for President
Both of the MP3 files above are audio extractions from one the original shows featuring the Howdy Doody for President campaign. Collections with this and other episodes of Howdy Doody are available from various stores that sell DVD with collections of classic television shows.
Lyrics:
I'm for Howdy Doody!
(Note - for those of you who do not know, the reference below to "peanut gallery" refers to the guest children seated in the show's seating area.)
BUFFALO BOB:
I'm for Howdy Doody, are you?
PEANUT GALLERY:
Yes, I am!
BUFFALO BOB:
I'm for Howdy Doody, so let's all give him a hand.
I'm for Howdy
Doody, are you?
PEANUT GALLERY:
Yes, I am!
BUFFALO BOB:
I'm for Howdy Doody, the finest boy in the land.
You can look
all night,
look all
day,
look from
Maine to Californ-eye-ay,
ask each
boy and girl you see,
you will
find they all agree that they're for Howdy Doody.
Are you?
PEANUT GALLERY:
Yes, I am!
Howdy Doody For President
Howdy Doody,
for president,
He's America's
choice.
Howdy Doody
for president,
the favorite
of all the girls and boys.
Howdy Doody
for president,
He's the
fellow for me.
Howdy Doody
for president,
Let's sweep
him on to victory.
