The "No C.A.R.B." slogan represents popular sentiments of the Democratic party towards the 2004 presidential campaign of President George W. Bush and his first term cabinet in the guise of the anti-carbohydrate diet craze of the moment.

This political campaign button reflects Betsy Gotbaum's 2005 campaign for re-election as New York City Public Advocate. The citywide position, next in line to the Mayor, was created in 1989, after the United States Supreme Court declared New York's system of government unconstitutional; it is roughly equivalent to the former post of City Council President. Among other things, the Public Advocate serves as watchdog over city agencies and as ombudsman for city residents in their dealings with the government. In the 2005 campaign, Gotbaum faced nine candidates, among them civil liberties lawyer Norman Siegel and subway shooter Bernard Goetz. Gotbaum was elected Public Advocate in November 2001, immediately following her service as President of the New-York Historical Society beginning in 1994, continuing a lengthy career in public service.