Illustrating how the Dems can lose
July 14th, 2008
The new cover of The New Yorker has been getting a lot of attention. The cartoon image shows Barack and Michelle Obama in the oval office, Barack is dressed in traditional Muslim garb, Michelle has an automatic weapon slung across her back, there’s a portrait of Osama Bin Laden hanging over the fireplace which is burning an American flag.
It’s silly and ironic and unlike most brilliant New Yorker covers, it’s an old joke. The Daily Show and Colbert Report have joked, for months, that Obama is a secret Muslim sleeper agent.
Artistically, the Barack caricature by Barry Blitt is pretty weak but the artist’s take on Michelle is very good - I like the body language.
But more than just depicting the joke, the cover also illustrates perfectly how the Dems can lose this election.
The Dems are so overconfident in the absurdity of this kind of irony, that they’re willing to put on newsstands across the U.S. a vivid illustration of every falsehood and bit of misinformation about their candidate - one who is still introducing himself to much of America and trying to overcome the very caricature The New Yorker has made real.
Only a liberal publication like the New Yorker could do this, of course. Had the National Review commissioned this piece, they’d be apologizing for months. But now the National Review can run this picture - as can every right-wing, war-mongering and bigoted outlet - between now and November.
– Steve
Stumble it!
