Quando o eleitor faz a propaganda política: o engajamento popular na campanha eleitoral de Janio Quadros (1959-1960)

in this article i analyze some aspects of the political performance of janio quadros when he ran for president in the 1960 elections. i criticize the meaning of his deep-rooted image as a populist leader, by pointing out how such attribute was given to him mainly by his enemies. furthermore, i also intend to indicate how many of his supporters were not manipulated by him, or by an alleged propaganda machine. through letters sent to him, it is possible to see that many people produced and distributed political propaganda on their own account. this can be seen in publicly echoed poems, songs, pamphlets or speeches defending janio and his political actions and projects.