The first presidential TV ad premiered in 1952 when ad man Rosser Reeves created commercials for Dwight D. Eisenhower. One Disney animated spot on television even included a song with the theme "Everybody likes Ike".

Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson had little interest in helping ad executives shape his image. Yet, in one musical spot promoting his candidacy, a woman sings that Stevenson "will lead us till the peace is won."

In the 1956 presidential race, which actively pitted Eisenhower against Stevenson, a television spot also featured the first negative advertising. Stevenson's running mate, Estes Kefauver, highlighted promises that he claimed General Eisenhower did not keep.

Now as of 2016, political TV campaign commercials which started in 1952 are not likely to stop anytime soon.

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