Winnie the Pooh For President (1976)

There's a long history of comic strip and animated characters running for United States President as publicity stunts. What few people today are aware of is that Winnie the Pooh ran for President in 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980. He ran under such campaign slogans as “Hunny In Every Pot,” Yoyo a-go-go," “A Good 5-Cent Candy Cigar,” "Pooh in 72." and "Winnie's a Honey of a Candidate." This means that Pooh must be A LOT older than most assume and that the Hundred Acre Wood must be located in the United States of America. We don't know which party Pooh was affiliated with but his voice performing, Sterling Holloway, was a registered Republican.

The initial campaign was to tie in with the original release of the featurette Winnie the Pooh & the Blustery Day and used for Disneyland marketing. The other campaigns were also tied in with Disneyland marketing and featured stage shows and a parade. The Pooh characters also went on a cross-country tour by railroad car "campaigning" like a genuine Presidential candidate.

Sears & Roebuck, which was affiliated with Winnie the Pooh for many years, also sponsored these campaigns with merchandise sold in their department stores. A contest was also held where one family from each state would win a free trip to Disneyland where they would cast their vote for Pooh.

This song was written and released for Pooh's 1976 campaign and was released on an LP with a story about after Pooh learns about the US Presidency, he desires to run for President himself.

Legal action from the rights holders to the original Pooh characters prevented further campaigns.

Written by Larry Groce

Performed by Sterling Holloway, Larry Groce, & the Disneyland Chorus

Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.