Pinback button promoting Edward M. Kennedy for president, 1968.
Almost immediately following Robert Kennedy's assassination in early June, throwing the race for the Democratic nomination into chaos, speculation mounted that the surviving Kennedy brother, Edward (Ted or Teddy to the faithful) would act as surrogate and carry the banner of Camelot into the Chicago convention. The junior senator from Massachusetts held brother John's seat in the Senate but had yet to distinguish himself with any notable legislation, and at 36 was barely old enough to become President were he elected. In any case, he declined to run (also refusing the VP spot with Humphrey) and there are only three buttons known from 1968 promoting his candidacy, this being the most desirable and elusive. An essential addition to any comprehensive Kennedy or 1968 collection.
