The presidential campaign is bypassing Binghamton and New York State this year. The Empire State’s not viewed as a battleground state, so there’ll be virtually no advertising by the Obama and Romney campaigns — and no campaign buttons. Campaign buttons were commonplace in presidential campaigns in the past. But they’ve almost vanished in the Internet era.

Local party officials seem to miss the button.

Broome County Democratic Committee chairman James Testani recalls the days when presidential campaign buttons were distributed widely across the country.

But Testani told WNBF News that these days, when you don’t live in a swing state, you’re not likely to see things like campaign buttons.

Broome County Republican Committee chairman David Hamlin said he hasn’t seen any presidential campaign buttons around this year. He said they were “very popular” years ago.

Now, Hamlin said, it’s “almost a lost advertising gimmick.”

Traditionalists who still desire a presidential campaign button can track one down — on the Internet. But they’re no longer free for the asking.

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