Buzz
When a politician hits the campaign trail, it’s almost expected that they will shake countless hands and hold a fair number of babies. While handshakes are understandable, the tradition of kissing babies often feels awkward and, frankly, a bit unhygienic. So why does this continue?
The tradition of kissing babies dates back at least to Andrew Jackson. A story published in 1887 recalls an incident during his 1833 New Jersey tour, where Jackson, recognizing that handling babies was part of the campaign trail, eagerly scooped up a messy-faced infant from its mother. He proclaimed the baby to be “a fine specimen of American childhood” before shoving it in front of his Secretary of War, General John Eaton, urging him to kiss the child. Eaton pretended to comply, the crowd laughed, and the mother had an amusing tale to share later. While this story contains a few historical inaccuracies—most notably that Eaton had already resigned from his post two years earlier—such baby-kissing episodes have persisted, including one involving Abraham Lincoln.
In modern times, politicians view baby-kissing as a way to present themselves as more approachable and relatable, with the hope of winning over voters, particularly parents. At best, the parents get to tell their friends and family that their child met a potential future president. At worst, it’s simply a memorable photo op with a famous figure, which isn’t such a bad thing for the baby book.
Not everyone believes that kissing babies is an effective strategy. In 1889, Benjamin Harrison declined to kiss a baby, earning praise from suffragist and activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She referenced the editor of the *New York Tribune*, who wrote, “The parent who always expects the baby to be kissed, and the person who feels bound to kiss every baby that comes within reach are equally foolish and obnoxious characters. Children have a right to their kisses as well as older folks. They should not be made the prey of every officiously amiable person in their circle.”
Despite some politicians voicing their dislike, the tradition continued. Richard Nixon, for instance, avoided it, fearing it would make him “look like a jerk.” Geraldine Ferraro, the 1984 Democratic vice-presidential candidate, wasn’t fond of the practice either. She once told *The New York Times*, "As a mother, my instinctive reaction is how do you give your baby to someone who's a total stranger to kiss, especially with so many colds going around? And especially when the woman is wearing lipstick? I mean, I find that amazing that someone would do that." Still, she went along with it to satisfy the public.
On the other hand, Hubert Humphrey, the 1968 Democratic presidential candidate, openly expressed his genuine affection for children. He explained that spending time with youngsters after long hours of handshaking with adults left him feeling “refreshed.”
In modern times, candidates are divided: Bernie Sanders prefers to avoid baby-kissing, while Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both embraced the tradition. Ultimately, as long as politicians believe that kissing babies will sway voters, this peculiar practice shows no signs of fading away.
