1st Campaign Commercial

Since this was filmed and shown before the election of 1896, this is probably the first American campaign commercial. Supposedly this was very popular at the time, and reissued after McKinley became president. According to the Kino disc, many people would cheer when this short was finished. Looking at William Jennings Bryan, his Democratic opponent, his first film appearance wouldn't be until 1900. McKinley was a pro-business politician, guided by his friend, financier Mark Hanna.