New Yorker Editor David Remnick Talks to ABC News About Cover Controversy

and Aston
I don’t remember a picture on the cover of a nationally once respected magazine like the New Yorker of Bush dressing like a terrorist and burning the American flag…do you?
especially when he was running for office.
He just needed to acknowledge bad judgement…sounds like he doesn’t even have the discipline to do that.

At first I thought it was a malicious faux mock up. Imagine how hard I laughed when I discovered it’s actually hit the newsstands! Obama has no sense of humor. That’s why satire is off limits (according to him anyway).
And on a day when Obama thought he’d try to bamboozle us again with his latest “refining” of his Iraq strategy. Poor boy!

Satire, for the generation that gets their news from the daily show, America is in for a lot of rude awakenings.

What can you do? Anybody who looks at this magazine cover and says “I knew it all along” or isn’t offended in any way most probably had no intention of voting for Obama anyway. So I don’t think it feeds misinformation in such a way that it’s going to cost him any votes. It’s more likely that he’ll get a sympathy vote or two from it. All the Clinton supporters who cried foul over her treatment by the media can really cry me a river after this stunt.

Even though it’s just satire, it seems more like something MAD magazine would print.

Ouch! the truth really really does hurt especially when all you have is a false image to run on.

As Obama told Hillary supporters….’get over it’.

Tell me one thing that is wrong in that cartoon!!
His outfit is part of his African heritage, why isn’t he proud of that?
Flag burning, relates to his friend Ayers that is know terrorist.
Osama bin laden, picutre…well that is a little too much..I will admit. Maybe because of the name similarties. Osama vs. Obama

I understand the satire. However, there are people who will wander past the magazine stand and see that cover and believe it. For people who say that Obama needs a sense of humor, do they realize how many threats he has received? If this cover inflames one person (who doesn’t “get” the satire) with a gun, God help us all.

The worst thing about the New Yorker cover is that it’s exactly the kind of story that dominates the airwaves, blogs, and newspaper coverage at a time when there are approximately 7,486,213 more important things to talk about. I’m disappointed that Charlie Gibson is going to devote precious airtime talking about it.
It’s not good for the candidates, the media, or the voters.

Obama isn’t running against Bush, he’s running against McCain. So, I wonder if New Yorker Magazine will be publishing an issue next with a satirical cartoon of Senator McCain morphing into President Bush. No… I guess that wouldn’t be satire, would it? That would be fact.

Even with satire their is a line…
I think equal time they should make fun of McCain being old…
it could go something like this…sorry I had to just dound this info…
When the following President’s reached McCain’s age…and these are the 5 oldest presidents…(none of whom were as old as McCain.
1.RONALD W. REAGAN –had his wife whispering sweet information to him in the second half of his Presidency
2. WILLIAM H. HARRISON- had died in office
3. JAMES BUCHANAN- had believed “patriots owned slaves” and had by the time he left started the civil war.
4. GEORGE H.W. BUSH- had George jr.
5. ZACHARY TAYLOR- died in office
that’s all true…although I wasn’t there for the consummation of GW.

Scary, the last time I saw a response like this was when the Danish cartoons came out. Is this what the future holds in this country too???????

If I had a subscription or an advertising contract with the New Yorker, I’d cancel it!!! Depicting a presidential candidate to look like Osama Bin Laden and his wife as his terrorist partner is beyond disgusting. Bin Laden images do not depict satire considering that we lost over 3,000 citizens on September 11 and over 4,200 troops in the ensuing wars. Obviously Mr. Remnick’s charisma bypass operation was a success. I hope the risk that he has taken will cost his magazine countless $ in lost revenue.

Funniest New Yawkah covah that I’ve seen in a very long time—usually they are awful. However this one is magnificently over the top, and I’ll bet that Obama loves it.

What’s the big deal? We all know Obama is a flip-flopper.

I’m glad that the New Yorker is standing behind its decision to print this cover – most people are wise enough to see this as nothing more than satire – it reflects more on conservatives and than on Obama. I wish Obama had as much faith in the American people as the New Yorker does. The editor in chief of the magazine is right – it shouldn’t make editorial decisions based on someone’s political campaign.

This picture is almost libelous.

it feels like some smarmy new york attitude with chuckles and very little awareness of the seriousness of the racist content. stereotypes of this sort are mad magazine humor not new yorker humor.

My problem with Obama supporters is that many do not understand satire and therefore criticize a favorable cover of a magazine. However, I think the New Yorker has missed the point – that many Americans believe Obama is not what he says he is – a Christian – and therefore, they do not know what his real beliefs are – or in fact, that he has any beyond wanting to be President.

A joke isn’t funny unless it contains a whiff of truth. That’s what makes this cover so potent.

It seems that Obush doesn’t really believe in free speech if he’s the target.
tsk, tsk, dont be so sensitive , barack

how can anyone know what obama is with all the nasty e mails fox news with their stupid terriost fist jab and his name doesnt help but the fact is obama is christan and american and wants to do good for this country as well as us and maybe alot of people use these fear tacticts to hide their racisim because some cant bear the fact of having an african american president which is sad its ok if you dont like him but thats sad to slander and smear his family like this what if his children see this magazine sad sad sad!!!!!!!!!!!

There is no denying the picture of him that’s on the Internet in Muslim garb .. nobody argues about that! With that said – my how this great nation has fallen (so hard and fast) that this clown even has the opportunity to run! Ridiculous!

This New Yorker cover and controversy will ensure he loses in November and it makes me so very happy.
The media actually did something good for a change.
I’m going to buy a copy and frane it.
McCain 08

I support Obama and I see no problem with the New Yorker cover. I expect taht the morons that think Obama is a muslim never would have voted for him anyway and thats a good thing. There is a certain portion of the electorate that should remain republicans.

After reading some of these comments I wonder who the real enemy is. You far right republicans that expend all your time and energy dragging this country down with your condescending, and degrading comments should join my comrades and myself in a fight against the real enemy (Al-Qaida in Iraq, and the Taliban in Afghanistan)Both Obama, and McCain want to change this country for the better, its people like you (extreme far right)who puts the stain in the fabric of this country I, and so many Americans love, and fight for.

After reading some of these blogs all I can say is I am thankful that very few of the voting public is represented here. The Obama haters cant win on issues so they have to come up with smear.

What Most High Messiah Barack Obama perceives as slurs is of no importance or consequence to the application of 1st Ammendment rights for the New Yorker magazine…
The only thing missing from the Obamabot whining is throwing out the race card…

I think Obama should’ve actually embraced the cover and said “hey the pictures may be over the top, but unfortunately it depicts what some people actually amazingly still beleive of my background”.
It would’ve nailed home the point at how silly it is that people actually beleive the satire presented on the cover.

Obama didn’t complain or distance himself from Ayers when he was attending dinner parties at his house and yet Ayers was photographed stomping on the American flag.
Michelle is pretty scary.
See nothing wrong with the left winged New Yorket pointing out the obvious.

Leon – that was the smartest comment made…
This election is about cleaning up mess – whoever is picked is destined to fail!

and Leon
I think more likely…the repubs DO NOT want a dem in that white house with access to everything they have been doing…
I am sure there is a lot of work right now trying to backdate and hide and fire adn more because they know all the bait and switch that has gone on by the oil companies and the rest for the past 8 years is about to not have an ally in the white house…scary times for the republicans who allied themselves with the Bush administration.

Amen DL! Finally some truth here…
Along with many of his political chrnies jumping ship, more 4 star admirals and generals have resigned under this administration than any other in history. The reason is half war and half benefits. You would think an administration so hell bent on war would at least help to benefit those fighting within it!
If our military leaders are resigning, our military is weak. That’s what civilian Americans don’t understand and nor should they have to. As an active duty officer, I question the administration for this reason only.

it’s funny, but obama said recently in jax florida that “they will be coming after me because i am black.” it seems to me that the only ones coming after him are from his own party or supporters. from bill and hillary clinton to jesse jackson and now the New Yorker, these are the ones pointing out his color or name. you won’t see or hear this kind of stuff from john mccain. this is why me, like so many other democrats will be voting for sen mccain to be our next president!

I saw the cover, it is an exact match of what all the libs dont want you to see and read.
Free Speach ONLY if it’s liberal, dont we all know that by now.
typical democratic double speak.

I LOVE the cover!!!! It depicts the Obama’s the way many many people see them. Why not go after the root of the problem versus the picture. Obama needs to dig a little deeper but he may not like what he finds.

Inside jokes should stay inside the cover — there really are people who would believe the depiction and unfortunately they are the ones who look at the pictures and don’t comprehend the words.
Besides it was incomplete — if it were it would have had Hillary or McCain with a thought bubble — okay now for the encore — “equal time” being “equal time” Beer Suds and dollar signs for Cindy and full fury and madness for John??

It isn’t satire if nobody is laughing for the reasons intended.

Jay hawk
If McCain was satirized in a way that was offensive to him being in a POW camp or Hillary in some way that was degrading to women…i.e some violence toward women issue…
that would be inappropriate for a national magazine…whether we get upset because it is obama or not…the magazine has to take the hit from advertizers and subscription cancellations… most of whom probably support Obama…whom this bad judgement call was about.
their is a line with satire and “venue”
right to free speech doesn’t mean if you go out and have an aryan nation rally… a bunch of people aren’t going to surround your parade screaming at you…
There is a place and time…and the New Yorker made a bad judgement call on this…whether it be Obama as a terrorist…or McCain as a wife beater… it was inappropriate…and it will hit them in the pocketbook.

Pam: Bin Laden images do not depict satire considering that we lost over 3,000 citizens on September 11
**********************************
Rev Wright (BHO’s spiritual adviser) said those deaths were chickens coming home to roost. BHO took his little girls to learn such ideas. Can you see how America has trouble knowing what is going on behind his “smiling face”? “Smiling faces sometimes lie!”
Apparently you think those 3,000 death’s were pretty vicious–unless Obama is opportunistically using them. Then they are okay.
With Obama the box is so prettily wrapped, but human bones lie within.

Mr. Remick: Add your name to the list of those who deliberately lie; misrepresent; destroy reputations; further bad judgements….etc… and take your name off the lists of credible reporters whose judgement can be relied upon. All done in the name of humor or irony? In reality you become a part of the evil that frightens people for their own pleasure. These are serious times and someone in your position has the opportunity to enlighten and educate people to the truth. A “LIE” is simply the intent to deceive. I beleive you have the intent to deceive and no matter what guise you use to spread the lies, you have made yourself a part of the problem. It is too bad that you are in a position to influence people as your hatred and odd sense of humor are so distorted. If I were your mother, I would be very ashamed of you.

“Tell me one thing that is wrong in that cartoon!!
His outfit is part of his African heritage, why isn’t he proud of that?
Flag burning, relates to his friend Ayers that is know terrorist.”
and
“Wait, was it the artist who said they were proud of their country for the first time? Was it the artist who hung around with Bill Ayers? Was it the artist who attended a radical church for 20 years? The artist only drew a picture that depicts the behavior of the Obama’s. It looks like the chicken have finally come home to roost.”
+100%

Guy at Barnes & Noble says all New Yorkers sold out LOL
really looks like the liberal wishes for them to go out of business, well are incorrect as usual.
“Another Scorned Woman for Hillary“

Once upon a time.. there was a TV commercial line that asked “Where’s the beef?” Today we have two noodles running for Prez, one’s a linguinni and a one’s a spagetti, and there just ain’t no beef in either of these congressional patsies. Perhaps the satire is not which one is better than the other. Perhaps the joke’s on US. After all, in a country with over 300 million citizens and 55 million illegals, are O’Bama and McCain the “best” we have? Maybe we ought to import a Chinaman or Indian, or an Arab Prince, and sign the country over to him for four years. Might cost a little more, but what the hay, if he takes dollars why worry. Right? Left? Whatever?

I think most people were corrected in believing Obama is really Christian, but the few that refused to be believe the facts, cannot and will not believe it. You can no more change their minds than you change the minds of 9/11 conspiracy theorists.
Also, I think people are forgetting what satire is and why it’s needed and the history of satire used in politics.

This New Yorker cover is a nasty piece of work, and no amount of weasel words will cover it up nor camouflage it. This is too crude to be called satire. It is right down there in the gutter with toilet graffiti, and I for one believe it is intentional. Some great writers contribute to the New Yorker. This must be acutely embarrassing to these serious and reputable professionals.

This cover depicts an all time low for the New Yorker. What a sleazy way to boost your sales.
I agree with HonestAbe…

HonestAbe, BHO has a new slogans:
Disgust: Yes we can!
Anger you can believe in!
Obamaall theway: BHO is going to save us all from the New Yorker?
Why doesn’t he keep his kool and talk about solutions. And, oh my God! Dare I say it? Debate big bad McCain.

Obama: What you see is what you get. (even in an illustration)

I can’t believe the anger in so many of these posts! Isn’t this still AMERICA, where freedom of speech and freedom of the press are cherished?! The fact that so few see the humor in this satire is downright frightening!! Do you people REALLY want to live without the freedom to openly express your opinions. This is the PC movement running rampant!
I have for years considered myself a liberal. However, if this is an example of what liberalism has become in this country, I must reconsider. How awfully sad is the state of this nation after 8 years of an irresponsible and reckless administration running roughshod over the Constitution. It sickens me.
God, PLEASE bless America!!
I am a veteran and a Patriot, in AZ.

Funny thing is that people are already starting to work on their satire of the New Yorker Magazine’s cover. Just wait for the fake covers to show up soon. Hope they can take it as well as they give it, cause the ideas I’ve heard floated knock the ball out the park.

Can’t wait to see the cover with John McCain riding the bomb over Iran ala Slim Pickens as Major Kong in Dr. Strangelove.Equal exposure to all candidates I say.If our presidency is determined by one magazine cover we are doomed.

Wake up Senator Obama supporters. Did you think for one moment that the conservative right was going to allow Senator Obama tobecome president without a fight. Some of us saw this coming months ago and tried to get you to understand that the Republican Party was using Senator Obama to keep Senator Clinton or Senator Edwards from winning the nomination because they have always felt that their chances of winning against Senator Obama are greater. The Republicans have become masters at using the race card to win elections. Have you forgotten their “Southern Stategy of 20 years” and their Willie Horton technique. They played the Democractic Party and may get away with another victory. P.S. Did I memtion that they knew these things about Senator Obama all along and that they knew all along that he is considered the most liberal Senator in Washington, D.C. which makes it almost impossible for him to gain enough independent White votes to win the election. They continue to outsmart the naiveness of hte Democractic Party. Final P.S. I am a Southern African American Democractic Christian who will continue to hope we have not blown a huge opportunity to get our country back on the right track. I will definitely vote for Senator Obama because four more years of Republican leadership will almost litterally destroy our great nation. Absolute final P.S. to naieve Democratic leadership, please resign. During the past 20 years, we’ve only had two great Democracts that I feel are as smart as or are smarter than the Republicans — those two are President Clinton and Senator Edwards. That’s why the Republicans fear them so much.

john
The right did this?
How did you come up with that?

It’s still called freedom of speech…the last time I checked….or have the Obama robots changed the rules? Wake up America! Obama is a fraud! No matter what a novel and feel-good choice Obama may be, he is the WRONG person at the WRONG time!

To Kathleen Rand Reed:
You deplore the picture and don’t view it as satire and then you write offering deplorable ways to depict Cindy McCain and John McCain.

Question is . . . Might the New Yorker magazine cover be a case of Life Imitating Art? Or . . . Art Imitating Life ?
No matter . . . either way . . . “It works!”
Meanwhile . . Hillary’s minions are busy working on the best plan for exposing obama’s overtly fake “Certification of Birth” attributed to the State of Hawaii. The fanatical Clinton post menopause storm trooper crowd will be on the move around the time of the Dilemmacrat Party convention. When B. Hussein Obama, as a non citizen is disqualified to hold office as President of the United States, the party stooges will turn their lonely eyes to queen Hillary for salvation. She then becomes the lawful nominee. As clueless John McQueeg stumbles around sucking up to border crashing illegal aliens, taking lousy advice from his dimwit advisors, making aggravating statements and disaffecting masses of tentative voters . . . Hillary wins the White House. Hail President Hillary!
Remember, it ain’t over til the Pant Suit Lady sings!

No one surely thinks this was innocent satire on the part of the New Yorker. If you go that far, then one has to look for who benefits from the smear.
I think there are three prime suspects: the creepy Clintons, geriatric McCain, or a move by the New Yorker to take over National Enquirer. There are not a lot of people who benefit.

I’m not an Obama fan and I’m not mesmerized by his oratory, but I really don’t see the humor (satirical or not)here.

>>>disambiguates
____________
it’s all in the point of view, isn’t it?
And let’s not forget that the group which dabbled in slander and dawdled in slime the most…… was that associated with Obama…. (who never had to lift his lily white hand to do any such dastardly deed….. oh he of the teflon vest…..)
I am enjoying this respite; hope it lingers.

I can just imagine the halloween costumes.

Jake, you shouldn’t be personally attacked, but neither should the artist for the New Yorker. Isn’t free speech the foundation of all our liberties? Why is it that everyone is so vigilant about spotting “racism” (where there is none in numerous cases) but no one cared a thing about the Hillary Nutcracker or the urinal target being sold on the internet with her face on it, why did an elected official think it was okay to compare Hillary to Glenn Close’s homicidal/suicidal character in Fatal Attraction, the list could go on and on.

Mrs. T, “paranoid conservatives” aren’t saying these things about Obama. These rumors all started with the Clinton campaign. If you want to point the finger of blame for the sort of characterizations of Obama that the cartoon represents, you need look no further than the Democratic Party.

WARNING – - SARCASM BELOW
How ’bout that New Yorker magazine perpetuating the myth of the NE Liberal Elite. Sure, they were trying to mock all the myths and misunderstandings being disseminated by the intellectually-challanged (eg, everyone outside the NE). What they fail to understand, in their Ivy-league-fueled-intellectual-superiority, is that many people (let’s just call them Conservatives, for shorthand), do not get sarcasm. And worse, some Yankee Rag is seen 1) approving of a terrorist in the Whitehous, and 2) probably more importantly, is mocking the fact that this is a REAL issue for them. This is what BillyBob and Cooter debate while sharing a 12pak of Schlitz, and now there is proof that their worst fears are true. Sure, this group also beleives that the moon landing was fake, and that W was a great war hero, but they still vote, and they vote for whom the Limbough tolls.
I’m nominating the Democrats as the “most likely to lose an un-losable election”. I can hardly wait for Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Wright, and Al Sharpton to weigh in on this. Their insight is consistently helpful in furthering allienation.

Perhaps The New Yorker cover would have been better utilized had it been directed at those who believe the essence of the satire as factual.

But what about the fact that some folks see the images not as a satirical caricature but as an accurate portrait?
About one out of 10 Americans continue to believe that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, is a Muslim, after all.
I have never heard Obama say one negative word about any so called satirical caricatures of George W Bush – now that he is in the spot light; God or Allah forbid.
If one were to really know the Muslim religion they would realize that it is OK to lie to a non believer, one never knows the truth, we Christians are considered the unwashed.
I have also witnessed many politicians take the oath and end up being self serving and power hungry. Obama being one of them – took the oath and has less than 150 days experience – absent from the floor because he spends so much time on the road hyping himself for president job. Now is or has he really lived up to his oath of office NO-NO-NO!
Now he is upset about a political caricature of himself – so what – if you can’t stand the heat in the kitchen get out. What is he going to do when our enemies start calling him stupid – cry. The real world is tough so get used to Obama.

This cartoon is almost as racist as the Danish cartoon depicting the prophet Muhamad with a bomb in his turban. It seems that New Yorker is doing a better job at perpetuating vicious and racist stereotypes than it is at humor. I didn’t think it was funny at all. What’s next? ‘Satires’ depicting Arab-Americans as members of terrorist cells? As if we needed that kind of ‘humor’.

MHP – - I agree that the best sarcasm is based on facts. But here, the New Yorker is blasting the fact that 10-15% of Americans beleive that he is a terrorist etc. So this isn’t about whether or not he is Christian enough, but is about mocking those that beleive he is not. That’s what makes this so damaging to the campaign, as it mocks the beliefs of this group.

I love it. I will buy two copies. I agree with the people that state that if it was Bush or McCain or even Hillary, Obama would just stand there and laugh. But insult him or his family and watch out. Sounds like a certain “religion” that goes crazy over a cartoon. So maybe where there is smoke there is fire.

What a disgusting but representative expression of the kind of attitude and thinking that has the USA in a pickle in the world and the infrastructure in such an awful site. This is racism from the right who don’t want to kill a child in an abortion but want guns in everyones hands to blow adversaries away.Senator Grahams insensitive and ingnorant comments about “mental recession” is so indicative of how out of touch politicians are about domestic issues. Americans are not eating can’t afford to keep their houses and we are supposed to engage in an intellectual discorse over what is obviously a racist depiction on the cover of a promenent magazine. What a sad day for American when the racics couch this as politics. I find our current ruling class repugnant. Pointless in Portland

This was not innocent high-brow satire on the part of New Yorker. This was a smear. They figure that if they can mislead 10% of the public (OK, the dumbest 10%) then that is a substantial number of people. And the argument that the liberals are constantly making negative cartoons about Bush is not a good comparison, since he is ALREADY president, and no one can do anything to change that short of impeachment.

I see many comments from right wingers “haha i guess more people are buying the magazine than you lefties would like to beleive” and other such nonsense because it is apparently selling out as if this is a bad thing for Obama.
THIS IS GREAT FOR OBAMA because the article in the New Yorker is actually in DEFENSE of Obama and serves to debunk these silly rumors.
If anything the right wing zealouts should be championing a boycott of the magazine, not laughing and pointing fingers and going “aahh haaa” like we’re on a playground as if you’ve somehow just gotten over on someone.

Timmy T – point taken and I apologize to any conservative who I may have offended – I really wasn’t sure who believed those silly rumors, but as a Hillary supporter, I know I never believed them.

RIGHT WING DUM DUMS – “If anything the right wing zealouts should be championing a boycott of the magazine…” – The funny thing is that there’s so many people who don’t realize that this cover is satirizing many of the false beliefs these wacky righties have. They’re being satirized and don’t even realize it. How funny is that?

The New Yorker magazine tried to pass this off as a parody of conservatives. In reality it is their play for controversy. Unfortunately Michelle is not an AK enthusiast. In fact I assume quite the opposite. What the New Yorker has unwittingly captured in this cartoon is unrelated to their purported “Obama as terrorist portrayed by conservatives narrative”. What they have distilled in this cartoon is B.O. and wife’s smugness. They have superior attitudes and the cartoonist has captured it with the looks on their faces and trying too hard to be cool fist-bump.
Gee what will poor little old me do if Obama does not get elected? Who will tell me what to do or what to think? I’ll be lost. And apparently so will pretty boy Robert Redford.

it doesnt matter that the story behind the illustration puts the Obamas in a good light. Anybody who has done even a superficial investigation into the Obamas public past, knows that Obama, and his wife have both displayed racial resentment towards whites, and that they both chose to join a black liberation congregation, remaining there for 20 years, only leaving for, political expediance. We also know that the Obamas have befriended anti-american radicals, and that almost every terrorist group both domestic, and abroad would like to see him elected as the next President. We know that he kicked two men of God under the bus, Wright, and Pfleger, both men who he credits with being moral compass. Wright now refers to Obama as just a politician who will say whatever he has to for political gain. I can go and on and on. Obama was definately Muslim as a child, his family is Muslim today in Kenya, and on and on and on. Lies pandering, no experience, arrogant, flip flopper and always condescending. How is this guy even around? Any other politician would have been laughed out of this race before it started.

I wonder if Michelle was more of a “normal” American if there would be less hatred toward Barack? I know that they are trying to give her a makeover but I think the damage was done early on.

I thought it was a brilliant cover. I read it exactly as the editor described it. It’s not insulting to the Obamas at all. Too bad they didn’t appreciate it and see it as a piece that is positive for them. Sad that they have no sense of humor.

That cover was hilarious! Sorry to the obama cultists, the ‘change’ and ‘hope’ politician, who has already shown he can flip-flop any promise or personal pledge the second he finds it politically gainful.
He is the same old politician with a whole bunch of question marks about his past (muslim before a reverend white catholic), his character (lots of shady associates) and his abilities (no experience). Seems as soon as any satire is thrown his way his godly presence does not approve of he gets all whiney and crybaby about.
Its a rough world out there Oblame-a. Get used to it.

That magazine cover shows one of the examples in how America is declining! There are some Americans who are so highly ignorant that they would believe that Obama is a Muslim! There are some Americans who would believe in every lies about Obama! These ignorant Americans are going to vote for McCain! And When they do, and John McCain wins, this country will lose from within.

There are some Americans who are so highly ignorant that they would believe that Obama is a Muslim! There are some Americans who would believe in every lies about Obama! ____________You know you are right some people believe every lie he has told, they believe he is a saint and they pay no attention to the it when he gets caught in a lie, or he flips flops {which he does on every thing}

Obama followers: “The sky is falling, the sky is falling! Pathetic bunch.

Freedom of speech, 1st Ammendment. Right to keep and bear arms, 2nd Ammendment. The reasoning for this is simple ….

Get use it….this is just the beginning.

I never thought I’d see the day where a man running for Presidency in this country would denounce his Pastor of 20 years for racial issues, then be defended by so many in this country. And what’s with the African American, Mexican American, and all the others? Pick one. Do you want to be an African or an American? Do you want to be a Mexican or an American? I mean really.

My – the obama group sure can WHINE!
Too bad – the media is now doing their job and reporting all the Facts about this guy – he is a FRAUD. Where was all this outrage for Hillary – she was bashed daily – and they thought it was Funny. Where is the problem – looks just like the obama’s.

What – the obama guys can’t take a JOKE – Mac was “just messing” – oh – but when it is about glory boy obama – now that’s a different story.
Cover is great!

Their campaign team is trying to reign in M.O.’s militancy and probably succeeding to a degree, however based on her previous statements and behavior you can only conclude that she is an angry, unappreciative, whining, poor me nightmare. But she has a right to be per the guilt ridden Libs.
So if she becomes the 1st lady she can subsidize her meager W/H income (her & BHO) by writing a book entitled “THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE BEEN PROUD OF MY COUNTRY”. If they lose (God willing and I’m not religious) she can still write a book entitled “LOOKING BACK – THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME I WAS PROUD OF MY COUNTRY.”

This may actually help Obama. Most see this as an unfair attack and will sympathize with him and Michelle. Much like the sympathy vote Hillary got in NH.

I tend to think that the picture is belittling Muslims. What an insult to be compared to the Obama’s.

i thank its great its about time they get on obamas tail

This looks like a picture 10 days into Obama’s first term. But, they should have included all the shadowy people he loves to hang around with.

I think that the American public actually is trying to like Barack but just can’t get past Michelle. The phony makeover they tried to give her just didn’t work. Never under estimate first impressions.

OMG people this was a SATIRICAL piece and the last time I checked, Freedom of Speech still reigns supreme in our great country. Now let’s see what the Observer will do to McCain. With the way things are going for our country right now, humor is desperately needed. Obama sheep please stop the whining!!

By the way, ‘Joe Reed’. If only elections were held by those media polls, Algore/Kerry/Humphrey/Dewey/Carter would have been elected. Oh, and Hillary would have been the nominee.
Tell you what. I’d be willing to bet my house against your house that Obama doesn’t win Montana. Are you game? (if you actually own a house, that is. I’d settle for your Iphone if you don’t)

The campaign reps are on Larry King Live trying to explain why we haven’t had even one general election DEBATE at this point. I have been questioning this all along. If Obama is really the man for the job, why won’t he agree to MANY DEBATES and prove himself once and for all. OBAMA NEEDS TO DEBATE NOW!!! Why won’t he agree to debate???

Regardless of my political bent, I was disappointed to see one of my favourite magazines descend to such poor judgement with regard to cover art. Even John McCain thinks it stinks. Though I imagine he is wondering what their humourists will do to HIM, given the obvious lack of relevance necessary for cover art. It smacks of locker-room humour at the country club at best, and plays only on the concept that his name sounds Muslim.
If it was supposed to be satire, why didn’t they just print it inside the magazine with a caption?
Everyone knows that covers are visible even to people who don’t buy the publication. Not everyone “gets” their sense of humour, necessarily.
Your interview with the editor was particularly funny in that it sounded more like a simpering schoolyard fistfight, with him backtracking and throwing the blame on you for even questioning him. Really funny, actually.
I think he has done his publication and readership a tremendous disservice. I wrote a letter to him stating this, and received an autoreply “out of office” notification, with a brief explanation of their selection of cover art.
Yeah, I’ll bet he’s out of the office! Perhaps a strongly suggested “hiatus”? I don’t expect to see too many “letters to the editor” published anytime soon.
What a wuss!

Some of this flap may be BO camp action calculated to take attention away from the serious story inside the magazine, which had some seriously critical things to say about Obama’s record.
Ah, well. Maybe the cover will sell more issues, and eventually some buyers will get round to opening it. Unless they just frame the whole issue under glass.

Why are all the true liberals turning on Obama? Do they now realize that he bamboozled them all along? What’s the saying — the more you get to know Obama the further down his polling numbers go.

Hillary’s possible stage of a “come back”. At the DNC convention this August, Hillary may stress the importance of having thick skin for a true politician and upholding the freedom of speech. She may say: “Look, I have been through a lot. People made fun at me, drew satirical pictures of me. I was even swiped at by my opponent before the NH primary. But I’m still alive. I have thick skin. I realize that being a politician, I have to be ready for everything from day one. AND MOTS IMPORTANT, I HAVE 18 MILLIONS AMERICANS VOTING FOR ME.

A recent Newsweek poll shows the potential for misinterpretation: 26% said Obama was raised a Muslim, 39% said he attended an Islamic school and 12% said he was sworn in to the Senate on a Quran. None of that is true!!!!

OBAMA NEEDS TO DEBATE NOW!!! Why won’t he agree to debate??? Posted by: fairelection2008
========
Why?? Presidential debates have always occured after the conventions. In fact, the first Bush/Kerry debate in 2004 was on Sept 30. There is along way to go — plenty of time for debates as we near election day.

Has anyone noticed Obama’s head is unusually large? Maybe in reference to his giant ego?

One thing that is clear in the cover of the New Yorker and that is, America is decaying from within. We do not need to fear terrorist, we need to fear ourselves. What in the world are we coming to? Why are we still commenting on the primary race when it is OVER. Had Sen. Clinton, I would be out there supporting her. As an Independent, I chose sometime ago who I would vote for. I do not like nasty campaigns as they serve no constructive purpose. I have never heard Sen. Obama use the race card. Others have and I admire him for trying to stay focused. Whether we believe it or not, GOD is in control so we need to realize that we alone can do nothing–only by His mercy do we exist.
Yes, at one time I enjoyed reading the New Yorker but I do not think I will ever bother reading this magazine again due to the level they have stooped. As stated by Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil in Ameerica is for good men to do nothing.”

Ha! Ha!— Great Satire. I guess next issue the New Yorker will show equivalent courage by dinging McCain with the lies heaped him on by RNC in 2000 in South Carolina, bumping him out and giving Bush the Rep. nomination: Vietnam torture had driven him crazy (Manchurian Candidate?), his adoption of a black baby, and his wife drugged out on prescription meds and booze… it’d be a hoot of a cover…Great satire– Right? And I’m sure New Yorker wlll exhibit that Rt Wing lying blog pitch like they have done in this issue… after all they have journalistic integrity and courage right? Or, perhaps they’re nothing more than rt wing tools for this issue…what a hoot!! Watching them squirm for their obvious huge screw up is just… sweet….and sad.

For those who cry “Blasphemy”, please remember Sen Obama is not G-d. Personally, I think that the cover is funny.Who really thinks that a New Yorker cover will sway the election?It obviously shows all the urban myths that have risen around the Obamas. At least the drawing showed their true affection for each other.

Buckaroo,
No head shape guess? It’s hard to figure out right? I know. Sadly, McCain does not generate a lot of interest or excitement. So no pictures or covers anywhere for McCain. I think he likes it that way. Did you see his “speech” on June 3rd? (Greenback drop)

Your post…Truth First |…… sound like the definition of a cult to me.
There have been many reports of people fainting at rallies for Senator Obama. I have seen this myself on several occasions. For most white Americans, Obama represents the first time they have seen or heard an African man speak to them. Many white Americans are transfixed by Obama because for the first time in their lives they are encountering a leader who speaks the TRUTH and who puts the TRUTH FIRST. That is power and it explains the appeal and power of Obama.
Obama stands for great change but no one knows what kind of change, and his supporters blindly follow.

As the “real” Obama becomes known, he falls behind in the polls. Who is really behind this guy? Barney Frank?

Joe Reed,
Yes I did, but I thought all the comedy versions were too funny!

Maybe the New Yorker will redeem itself by an even more racist cartoon about McCain in November??

The depictions of Geoge Bush as an idiot is a caricature. Bush is rather dim witted and lazy. Portraying Obama as a flag burning, Osama bin laden hero worshipping terrorist is beyond the pale. This only proves to everyone that people who love George Bush are idiots.

McCain Tops Obama in Commander-in-Chief Test; Stays Competitive on Iraq
Poll Finds 72 Percent of Americans Say McCain Would be Good Commander-in-Chief
Keep it up, McCain! We want you as our President! I’m so glad this illustration came out today, it’s hurting Obama’s campaign and America is finally seeing the Obama’s for what they really are. A picture says a thousand words and this one will definitely do damage to Obama!

What is all the rage abut the New Yorkers coming from? People who don’t think, read or process information? Is it the MTV generation venting anger because they think Obama is being maligned? Well this 40 something African American thinks the New Yorker cover is awesome. I causes political debate, well at least I hope it does. But if people continue to be lazy and take the caricature at face value of course it won’t.

It does not surprise me that the editor of the magazine cover that is the epicenter of controversy would defend his decision to run the cover. This is not journalism by any stretch of the imagination. There is no satire without truth and it appears that editorial perogative doesn’t require intelligence.

McCain Tops Obama in Commander-in-Chief Test; Stays Competitive on Iraq
Poll Finds 72 Percent of Americans Say McCain Would be Good Commander-in-Chief

This image will not go away. It will stay at the forefront all the way to the GE. Obama cannot dissolve this because the image is already implanted in the minds of Americans! I think its GREAT! This will definitely tarnish Obama and his campaign of flip-flops. This was just what America needed to wake up and reject the Obama’s!

The Editors of The New Yorker are either profoundly out of touch with American political culture or for whatever reason, deeply sinister. Either way, they are no longer fit to run the mag.

Satire?? More like Sadtire!!

I think that the cartoon is just that a cartoon. People will take things to the extreme and become offended just to do so. I look back at the cartoons of past that reflect politicians and don’t see anyone of them offensive. We are becoming too sensitive in our country and if you ask me people need to just grow up and let it roll off like water on a ducks back.

If I was Barack OBama and his family i would feel somewhat offended because many people think this is the center of controversy for the 2008 presidential race and some exploit this in a negative way. However I do not believe this was David Remnicks’s intention and should not be made a big deal. I wonder if obama will say anything about this.

New York Mag has lost all it’s dignity
when potraying such figures of Obama and his wife. Shame on the editors and it’s staff, I have canceled the subscription and will donate to DNC.

Dear Buckaroobonzai,
>>> Does Obama know how to answer for >>> himself? Who will really run the >>> country if he is elected?
I suspect that person would be his wife, Michelle.

I love the cover. I happen to think it DOES speak to the fears in America about this candidate. The majority of Americans harbor these thoughts and feelings about the Obamas. That is why the democratic nominee needs to be HRC. That is, of course, if we want a democratic White House next year.
The article also, is quite elucidating. Providing the needed Bio on this unknown senator from Illinoise. The only problem, of course, for the Obama camp is that it paints a portrait of Obama which says he’s exactly politics as usual. Aside from having quite the over-blown ego, Obama has shown he is all about Obama.
Kudos to the New Yorker for stepping UP and addressing the current, vital pulse of America…as usual!

This is just wrong and mean spirited.Does noone have a sense of decency anymore?

More factual than satirical

I cancelled my subscription to the New York Times I just started last week. The world is full of nuts. Are they deliberately trying to get him killed? Joke or not, it is unacceptable. I’ve been around enough years to see stupidity when I see it. The world is going to hell in a hand basket and the media is partly to blame. Lighten up? Not on your life! Not this time.

Yet more evidence that the campaign will be focused on all the wrong issues. Too bad the country is more concerned with the false imaging of candidates (either one) than what they believe in…
What about healthcare? The war(s) in the middle east? The quickly failing economy? Where are the satires about these subjects?

The closer we get to the inevitable in November, Barack Obama being president, the uglier some American faces become.

This job by the GOP and the New Yorker Magazine has derailed McCain campaign. McCain will lose the November election. What the New Yorker ought to be drawing now is the GOP of Hate, Division, and Downgrading America until she is finally dead. GOP may love America, but the heart of GOP is dark and is full of hate and divisiveness. The people driving GOP need to embrace love (JESUS) and still be tough on planting and nurturing righteousness in the nation. Then God will buy it. You cannot serve God and the devil at the same time. I am more of a GOP than of any party, and I am disappointed. I must say that the so-called Christians in the Republican Party better rise up and be speaking against evils like this drawing which take away discussions on issues and then guzzle votes by fear, producing leaders that keep leading America into the ditch, without God’s backing. The so-called Christian conservatives are keeping quiet again, yet they continue to wonder why the younger Christians are frustrated. Hate and Jesus do not mix. True love and Jesus work together. When shall the GOP have faith enough to just hold on to GOD alone and win an election fair and squarely so God can help America again? GOP is driving away real Christians by this type of hate, divisiveness, and insults on people and the nation. This is not politics. This is hate mongering, lying, and cheating. McCain’s campaign is derailed!

It saddens me to see so many negative comments about people because of “hear say” in the media. People think that racism doesn’t exist in America, but these comments show otherwise. Can you imagine a “red neck” with cowboy gear ignorant mispronouncing and incorrectly using the English language-a picture of a white Texan with a noose and the confederate flag and the white woman standing next to him-dump founding surrendering to a man just because he is a man holding a mixing bowl and spoon. Just because stereotypical things are said does not mean it needs to be published in print for the public to mock and continue to use negatively.

The chief editors and other executives at The New Yorker are not exactly dolts. So why wasn’t one of them able to realize the potential for someone to misunderstand their supposed satirical intent?
A caption such as “The real picture?” or something along those lines would have made their satirical point clear and avoided a lot of racist-related comments on both sides.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Wait till SNL, and Fox check in. But if one goes back in time they will see that their have been many more insightful covers or headlines by the “MEDIA”. Thats how they sell & make money by getting your attention. Now the world knows the name “NEW YORKER” they will take the heat and cry all the way to the bank.

Fair is fair right? Now lets see a cartoon of an old McCain being tortured in a prison camp wearing Depends with sympathetic POW MIA flag wavers in the background hurling their votes at the great war hero. Seriously, the New Yorker is a smart magazine and the method in their madness will surely only help the Obama camp and force a conversation on the ridiculous rumors about Obama being a muslim. The fact that the Obama camp is saying they find it disrespectful is how anyone would react if they saw themselves and their family members portrayed in a false scenario. People who find this as high entertainment really need to get a life.
As an Obama supporter annoyed by the image, but happy. This will help our cause. Thank you New Yorker!

I have never voiced my opinion about politics before, but this New Yorker cover hit me a nerve within me. The artist must have read my mind because this is the IMAGE that I have of the Obamas.
Obama can claim that he is a Christian all he wants, he sure doesn’t sound sincere when he says it, he sounds like a sound bite!
I thought it strange that when people started commenting on why Obama never wore a flag pin, he started to wear one. Why did Michelle Obama say that she was ashamed of her country one minute and now says how much she loves America. How did they manage to stay in a church, whose pastor spouted anti-american/anti-white sermons, for all those years and then all of a sudden decide that this pastor was not their cup of tea!! Why didn’t they run away from that church the moment those kinds of things were said in the beginning? You mean to tell me that in all the years they never heard anything like that before? Am I the stupid one here?
There is something that stinks to high heaven about the Obamas. I’ll keep following my gut and say “NO” to OBAMA!!!
God help us!!

to PM… yes, you are the stupid one! My guess is you voted for GW…. TWICE! :)

This cover is no more inaccurate or more offensive as some of the covers that G W Bush has had to regularly endure on the same magazine, so why is Obama squealing like a stuck pig?
Maybe it’s too close to the truth?

I enjoy good saterical cartoons but this one is not good. A burnig flag for the falure to where the pin? Where does the AK47 come from? This is poorly executed satire and when done poorly, satare is’nt funny, it is offensive. This saterical cartoon is done so poorly that the New Yorker should apologize all their readers. Absent a serious apology, the readers should show their disgust by canceling their subscriptions

I feel about the same chattyway….and Jim, I was just commenting that I am not “hyer-sensitive” over this whole issue…there will always be disagreements over anything political…and because I didn’t find it very humorous, does not mean I am an Obama supporter…there is just something not right with that man….and that is scary to me……

It looks like the illustration really touched a nerve with Barack Obama. What’s he afraid of?
I’m pretty sure John McCain would laugh it off if they put him on the cover dressed as a flag burning islamic terrorist.
Apparently that just hits too close to home for Obama.

Liberals need to quit being such babies. The picture really is funny!

When I saw the new yorker at the news stand, I almost bought it. I thought what the hey! A liberal rag telling the truth.? This has to be a fluke. Someone bought the rag and was telling the truth for once. with hands trembling I opened to the ownership page,and the yellow stench of journalism reaked from the page. Satire??? Boy did they screw up.I put it back in the rack backwards behind some comic books.

That’d be great Brenda! It would so silly that no one would take it seriously. Also, it be so overtly partisan that anyone with a brain would be able to tell it was coming from an Obama supporter. Do you actually think it would get people to maybe second guess their support for McCain? The fact that the Obama cartoon is featured on a left leaning magazine should only make it more obvious in its satirical nature. What are you guys so affraid of anyway? I never believed the false rumors about Obama, but by the way many Dems are so up in arms about this, I have to wonder why you guys feel this is hitting so close to home.

Ha Ha, I’m not laughing. I find this offensive, ignorant and disrespectful, just to name a few. It just shows that racism has raised it’s ugly head again. Will it ever end in our life time? We can never be united as Americans because every time someone gets a chance, they print it, say it or show it publicly in any media or open forum that they can. If you are a Democrat and will not vote for Obama because he is black, then go ahead and vote for McCain. See where that gets you with the economy, jobs, health care, the war, housing, oh and your retirement savings, don’t forget there won’t be social security. The whole world will be laughing at the United States, another BUSH! Stop looking at the color of Obama’s skin, he is a qualified candidate that can lead this country. When you leave your house everyday to go to work, shopping, recreation, etc., I am sure that you see people that are not the same color, nationality, religion, financial status as you are. Whatever your opinion is of them, do you jot down in your notebook a despicable picture of them and post it on a board or the front page of a paper? No, then don’t do it to Obama and his family. Whether you like it or not we are all here together so let’s pull together for our country. If not, then “Shame on you”!

This entire thing blown out of scale reveals exactly how weak Obama is — his entire campaign is based on an “image”. Now New Yorker’s funny picture – yes, it is intended to be funny — put his best weapon (or his only weapon) into jerpody, Obama and his supporters have gone crazy. Indeed, he is almost nothing after his image gets peeled off. No substance, no record.

The intention or accuracy of an image like your July 21 cover is of only secondary importance. However unwittingly, The New Yorker has contributed to the public ignorance, and it is doubtful that anything they do now will put the genie back in the bottle.
Nevertheless, I suggest that they devote your next cover either to an image of a age- and captivity-demented John McCain, his cancer-scarred head red with irrational anger, his scowling aged face screaming into the red telephone, while his other arthritic hand reaches for the button…
…or, a simple page of very bold text listing all of the misconceptions that they have so well reinforced about Barak Obama.

It’s just a satire . . . Obama will do fine . . .

The irony I see here is the extreme sensitivity from Obama and his supporters. They could go out speak ill of anybody, and claim that they are the expert of Constitution. Doesn’t 1st amendemt give New Yorker the right to be funny in a satire way? now the Obama supporters want to censor freedom of speech — of course, only when they felt that the freedom is used not in a favorable way to them.

“This is extremely offensive. I can’t believe the disgust that someone from America actually printed out this information. And you wonder why the other countries call America stupid. For the idiots who think this is great, well we know you are definetly not PATRIOTIC. Get over it and face the reality that BARACK OBAMA WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT of the US. Obama 2008 Yes We Can!!”
Posted by: hottie1 | Jul 14, 2008 5:04:07 PM
Awesome! While clearheaded individuals can argue whether said picture was too over the top, this person calls those who don’t have a problem with it “unpatriotic”. Also, the writer in question sees this as another example that proves the notion regarding the stupdity of Americans! However, I’m disappointed this person didn’t also point out the embarrassment they feel regarding stupid American’s monolingualism. After all, Obama himself can find many things to look down on when it comes to those he wishes to govern. In the end though, the writer totally redeems themselve with the complete Non sequitur that those who don’t find offense with the picture need to “get over it and face the reality that BARACK OBAMA WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT”. Priceless. The only thing that would have made this post better would have been if the writer had found space to write an inane campaign slogan.
“Obama 2008 Yes We Can!!”
Nevermind…it’s perfect!

It is all about image. This is the only thing that Obama has to run on. He has an “image”. Now, the New Yorker appears to give him a differen image — which is not the intention of the cover, it is intended to be funny and satire.
The irony is Obama’s good image, which he and his campaign has gone to length to create, is as much “false” as the New Yorker’s cover image. How come the media is not challenging his “clean” image but become so busy at descrediting this “bad” image? Many journalists should be aware, the more you try to defend Obama, the less you become credible.

I am not, nor will I ever be, ashamed of the truth. It is the job of the press to reveal the truth, it’s about time somebody had the guts to be honest! Anyone who is against honesty is against freedom and life.

I am outraged over the cover of The New Yorker. It is not funny, nor is it in good taste. No other candiate running for President has over been “colored” as anti- American,with references to being a terorist. The New Yorker crossed the line this time. This is NOT satire, but down right dis-respectful to AMERICA and AMERICAN. Other countries don’t have to dis-respect us. It appears we can handle the job our self! How stupid is that?

To those who post excuses for not being ashamed of what the New Yorker has done, I quote:
‘Tis better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

The point isn’t whether the depiction of the Obamas on the cover of The New Yorker was meant as satire or not. There are many on the Internet who will, or already do, believe the persistent, false rumors which abound. The New Yorker underestimates its influence if it believes that this is just a humorous send-up, which will have no influence on voters. But this controversy is just a distraction from the actual issues: the economy, the price of gas, jobs and the war in Iraq, which appears to be expanding in Afghanistan and, possibly, Iran.

LS: Great, it should balance out the problem where ‘the great many less-educated middle/lower class voters(as you put it)’ who will vote for Obama with no understanding of how his policies could damage this country.
Seriously though, I think the actual voting population – those who make it to the polls, are a little smarter than you think. I think most of the ignorance is in the lower class democratic side. Those types who think you can tax a corporation and they won’t just cut payroll and pass the remaining costs on to the consumer by raising the price of their product. Those who can’t understand that by taxing less, the government usually takes in more, because more corps choose to declare their profits rather than bury them in expenses, loop holes (which cost expensive accountant money) or push them off to a better looking tax year.

Posted by: Dr. B | Jul 15, 2008 3:27:36 AM
no one else that has run has had relationships with such over the edge people…rezko, auchi, ayers, wright, etc.

this image is really disgusting, the question here is, where did the new yorker place much emphasis, the picture itself or the story behind it. this is just providing fuel for right-wing critics like fox news. i bet they will rerun, manouver, analyse, quote,eat, drink, sleep etc, this story till november, and what would be most interesting is tthat after they have finished with the story, it will not be a satire anymore but a confirmation that Obama and his family are terrorist

Quote(Glenn):”The chief editors and other executives at The New Yorker are not exactly dolts. So why wasn’t one of them able to realize the potential for someone to misunderstand their supposed satirical intent?”
Your question implies the assumption that no one was “able to realize”…
You are too kind.
But I like your use of “supposed” ;-)
I think they realized it perfectly well.

Quote(Kerri):
“…there are nothing but low-class, low-brow, religious crazies who post as Obama supporters.”
Very well reasoned and rational, Kerri,…you should be proud of yourself. It is refreshing to see such in-depth argument when so many others with less “class” are reduced to childish name-calling.
We will never know one another(thankfully), and this will be my last post tonight.
I will use it to inform you that I am an Obama supporter and most definitely non-religious.
Also, it is statistically-very-likely that you would fare disappointingly against me in a comparison of class, brow-height, or intelligence.
But don’t let such information stop you from characterizing O’s supporters as you so desperately need to see them.
I suppose the election (if fair,…not a sure thing by any means, these days) will show what our national judgement is really like.
The last two presidential elections have not been encouraging in either aspect (fairness OR judgement). If we don’t wake up this time, we will probably simply deserve what we will be getting. However, Duh!bya’s ratings have slipped drastically,…so perhaps there is some hope.
Best wishes to us all.

Posted by: jws3sticks | Jul 15, 2008 5:39:16 AM
not real pleased he is also a citizen of kenya. hard to pledge self two masters…

Maybe if the New Yorker put a cartoon of McCain all feeble with a cane and gun in his hand, would that make Obama supporters happy?
Obama has gotten a free ride in the press for too long, welcome to politics.

I would like to see a SNL skit based on the drawing. Mass reproduction on t-shirts would also be nice. Let’s take them to the convention!

The cartoon really offended me for a few reasons: First, it is fueling the lies surrounding BO’s faith. He is not a Muslim and his wife doesn’t hate America. Second, it was plain and simple trash. Not in good taste at all. It distracts from the real issues Americans are facing. Our economy is in the toilet thanks to the GOP. McCain is more of the same. HE has admitted he knows very little about the economy and wants to keep us in Iraq indefinately. Why people would vote for McCain boggles me.
We should put a cartoon of McCain as a paranoid asian hunter with a walking cane in one hand, and a gun aimed at some arabs in another. Cindy can have shopping bags and money coming out of her behind. In the background we can have a nuclear bomb going off–cause that’s exactly what will happen if McCain gets elected. He will start ww3–next is Iran, China after that???

Those of the NY Times are truly idiots -ironic, that they are drooling for an Obama win.
McCain 08

m
I am grateful that they did not accept the garbage that most of the airhead profs threw out – I am speaking liberal arts – not science community.

To quote the early master of such humor, Jonathan Swift:
“Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own.”
The problem with this cartoon is that many, perhaps even most outside of the sophisticated political circles simply do not understand the depiction is humorous. Remember that 49% voted for Bush TWICE. Obviously they completely lack any sense of humor. Perhaps the artist needed to make it much clearer… say in the style of Velázquez’s famous painting “Las Meninas” in which his reflection is shown executing the work in a mirror, in the painting. In this instance, the cartoonist could have shown Coulter’s reflection drawing the cartoon. If even that is too subtle, then we could see, in the front of the work, Limbaugh’s backside (not a pretty site) in the cartoon while he’s scribbling this “satire.” In order for satire to work, it must show the viewer a better insight into himself, not reinforce his distortions.

For many months all we saw were photos of Obama looking wisely up to the heavens. Now more and more I’m seeing photos of him looking stressed and angry. The media wanted Hillary out-she is. They wanted Obama in-he is. They wanted Bush despised-he is. Have Americans become so shallow that we are allowing a group of journalism majors to make all of our most important decisions and choices for us? Everything the media does is calculated and the wind seems to be turning in Obama’s case. Let’s just wait and see what they want us to believe next.

Keep up the honesty Jack. Makes my day to see the true eleit blatther and drook with indignation.

“If you are not ashamed of what the New Yorker has done to the Obamas, then you need to be ashamed of yourself.”
—————————————-
At least I’m not embarrassed to be an American and my wife was proud of her country long before Obama was in the running. No I am not ashamed!

the pronblem with the cover is this…
terrorism is in line with rape and the holocaust.
Americans view terrorism like the rape and destruction of someone we love…
The editor of the New Yorker must have that feeling missing… would he find it acceptable to Make John McCain look like a rapist…or Hillary Clinton like a Nazi. If rumors were out there of such…and there have been disgusting horrible rumors/lies of John McCain and violence toward women and of Hillary Clinton’s church being founded by Nazi’s.
They are horrible rumors and I would hope would never be drawn as a cloudy gesture of making fun of the rumors by putting a swastika on Hillary or show John McCain in cartoon form beating and raping a woman. These are images that I believe they would put in a different category…adn so should the image they used.
The problem isn’t the right to free speech…
the problem is the responsibility that goes with that free speech.
The New Yorker needs to acknowledge this may have been an unreasoned and an intellectually limited choice they made.
and they should apologize.
this is not parody of a subject that can be “risked”… and if they do not understand that …well the editor needs to understand what terrorism means to Americans…and how strongly we feel toward our country.

Maybe if Obama would stand up and talk about the fact that his father was a “non practicing” muslim, his sister is a Buddist and his mom was an Athiest this rumor would end.
Obama has avoided the discussion of his father’s religion since day one.
Obama is making his own bed. He ought to lay in it.

Reading all these posts worries me tremendously. So many people have their heads in the sand. Don’t they realize that Hitler was Germany’s “Man of Change”? He ran on the same platform …. he was going to bring about great changes to benefit everyone. Well, he certainly did! The citizens rallied to support him – cheered him on as they watched in idolization. Sounding familiar? And after all the “changes”, we know what happened next.
With Barack we will be asking for bigger government, bigger taxes to support all the “giveaway” programs he is proposing, less money in everyone’s pockets, and the loss of even more small businesses. You think big business runs everything now? Just wait! The government already wants to tell us what light bulbs to buy, how our food should be grown (and who can grow it), what we can and can’t wear, what can legally be put into our childrens’ vaccinations, etc. Pretty soon we’ll be told we can only have so many children (like China already does). Where does it all end?
Posted by: Of German Ancestry | Jul 15, 2008 1:00:32 AM
*************************
I have thought and have seen the paralleism between the Hitler campaign and the Obama campaign. It’s scary but true. The people of Germany idolized Hitler and fell at his feet, much like Americans are doing to Obama. Hitler had a hidden agenda as I believe Obama has as well. There are way to many “unknowns” about Obama. I don’t think America really likes this guy that much, they just want change and since McCain is a republican, America automatically tunes him out because of Bush. McCain is very different from Bush and will be the best candidate to lead America. I pray America will come to her senses and vote Obama out…..if not, America will enter very dark days as did Germany under Hitler.

The July 21st illustrated cover of a disgusting description of the Obama’s is outrageous. I would have expected that from a sleezy Magazine but not from The New Yorker and I find this offensive. One has to say to ones self, when is a joke just too far. Would it have been funny if they had a picture of McCain’s pill popping wife on the cover with and a government credit card swiping away our tax money? No, therefore a public apology is needed. Putting race aside it is simply an attack on their campaign and their character.

chaos
read a little more…almost every pol in the Chicago area is associated with Ayers…duh.
including many repubs…duh.
but just like 2004 people like your self will be fooled by people like Bush and now McCain’s team.

During the primaries, the lack of satire poking Obama, or the outright swooning and sympathy for him (always the innocent victim of the nasty Hillary), was amazing. Now it’s Obama’s turn to be in the headlights, and he is crying fowl. It’s natural for Americans to be squeamish about someone as privileged as Michelle stating that after almost forty years in the U.S., she was finally “proud to be an American.” Or Obama’s membership in a race-baiting church. Or his disdain for those whose “cling to guns” etc. What I find even more interesting in that Obama and his supporters are so outraged. They didn’t have much sympathy for Clinton when the media picked her apart for much less volatile characteristics (cackles anyone?).

Love the cover. Its about time the media starts portraying Bam Bam as most of us see him. He is a fake, a phone yand he is not to be trusted. good Job New Yorker !!! Let him now feel what Hillary had to endure with the constant media bashing of her during the primaries. NO-BAMA 2008 !!!

As a highly educated professor of law, I bet Senator Obama thinks the New Yorker cover is riotously funny (I believe the candidate himself has been silent on the issue). His handlers on the other hand, think they are protecting him by criticizing a political cartoon as tasteless and offensive. I think their gross overreaction is offensive and causes me great concern for how they will handle any criticism of Obama if he were to become president. The more appropriate response from the Obama camp would be to commend the New Yorker for pointing out all of the ridiculous, over-the-top falsehoods/rumors circulating about their candidate. Apparently, the ability for those who support Senator Obama for president to discern irony in this political cartoon is sorely missing. I bet (and hope) there will be a flurry of political cartoons making fun of the knee-jerk reactions to the New Yorker cartoon.

a thin-skinned candidate and his surrogates who can’t recognize satire for what it is cannot possibly survive the negative onslaught they will inevitably face when the general election gets into full gear

Obama to me,seems to be taking this well. What I wonder about is that cartoonist a republican or does he just not like the Obama’s I used to enjoy the New Yorker, but now I think it’s snobby. The editor really goofed on that cover selection. Perhaps the cartoonists should have done one on a blind president trying to find the truth(of the economy).Put a sectatary of war that speaks no evil and some other cabinet member as hear no evil. People might relate to that.

AND52: The mag is a liberal rag. They are punishing him for his turn to the right.

I am NO fan of the Obamas and have no wish for B.O. to win the presidency, but I believe The New Yorker went completely over the line with that cover. It is in very poor taste.

jeff,
As to making fun of the over-reaction … I’m seeing a cartoon (not at NYorker itself) with their dandy in a top hat and monocle with a big quill pen sitting at a desk drawing this cover and past satirical NY covers — with a modern mob outside waving ipods and what else in protest.

It’s all over but the shouting, as far as this cover is concerned, so there’s not much point in giving it yet another news cycle. But honestly, New Yorker, if you think that cover will help dispel the “America hating muslim terrorist” rumor nonsense, then you are truly among the dumbest smart people in existence.
They deserve some major league wedgies.

Posted by: Doyle | Jul 15, 2008 3:27:01 AM :I am not, nor will I ever be, ashamed of the truth. It is the job of the press to reveal the truth, it’s about time somebody had the guts to be honest! Anyone who is against honesty is against freedom and life.
And it is because a great number of the American population are this ignorant that our country has turned to sh*t in every possible aspect… And that intelligent people should know better than to print something and think that these people will understand it.

Posted by: TerryDo | Jul 15, 2008 9:10:32 AM: Is the satire True or False?
Obvious from the over reaction from the Obama team it is True! I think thou dost protest to much!
Okay, so satire means that someone is exposing or making fun of other people’s idiocy; therefore it can’t be true or false…The only thing that’s true about it is the fact that it exposes and calls ludicrous the ridiculous beliefs that it satirizes!

Gee, and I thought I was fairly sophisticated person, but calling this cover “satire” is satire in and of itself. Completely flat-lined on this. Try again, New Yorker…

As a one who has had the New Yorker delivered to my home for more than 20 years, I am extremely disappointed at the recent cover of the Obamas’ Some
may see it as being funny, to me it is disgusting, but more frightening is the fact that some may see it as true.

dl | Jul 15, 2008 11:19:25 AM
WhereEVER did you get that information?
Obama and his friends comprise the biggest crookedness in a totally crooked city!
And few “POLS” are associated with
B O’s special crew!
The question I cannot shake from my relatively open mind is…that $10,00,000 Obama had “earmarked” for his church….
Did that money go to “pay off” Jeremiah?
I mean, the $10,000,000 Wright got came from SOMEwhere…., that plus his mini retirement mansion…. and if not from here, WHERE???
And either way, what ever happened to separation of church and state?
Are these the changes in B O’s crystal ball?

Although my husband and me along with a small group of church friends will not vote for Obama, the front cover you displayed was disgusting. It was not really a satire at all – but a blantant method of trying to get your own “feelings” across. Shame on you.
Karen M Alaska July 15, 2008

So the public displaying of hanging nooses ( with no necks inside ) at the
Jena, Louisiana, school is a hate crime punishable by law, while the vicious beatings at same school some time before are not ?
And a political statement nowadays is distateful only when it a politically incorrect one.

Who Mr. Remnick thinks he is kidding ?
To make the NEW YORKER cover a satire of the anti-Obama scaremongerings, it
should depict a RightWingExtremistNRA type, preferably in militia camouflage, with a hate-distorted face, and plenty of lethal weapons to match, delivering a speech ( you know which kind ) with
the cartoon as a king-size ” KNOW YOUR
ENEMY ” poster for background.
Has the NYer lost its sophisticated
” Progressive ” touch ?
Or has it politically turncoated to the point of daring to put forth the kind of bomb not even National Review or Soldier Of Fortune would handle with a remote-controlled robot.
Speaking of RWExtrmists-NRA types, the NYer cover as it stands is the stuff of their wildest never-dare-to-dream-about dreams : that their traditional enemies
are doing the dirty work for them.
And judging by his explanations, we have
the right to ask if Mr. Remnick,in the final analysis, is the best ninety-degree around-the-corner sharpshooter we have seen until now ?

On the internet, no one knows you’re satire?
I hope it’s just that the people who never would have got it, in the past never would have had forums to post their non-getting.
Look, if there were a cover showing Reagan or Bush Jr wearing cowboy clothes, boots and spurs up on the desk, six-shooter shooting holes in a target in the shape of the enemy du jour — would they take that literally too? Or would they deny that it accurately indicated the rancher-president’s cultural background and attitudes?

Remnick took umbrage at the comments in your blog as a “cheap shot” … but somehow the “cheap shot” of satirizing a point of view without naming and illustrating the antagonist in the same frame escapes him?
Talk about selective intelligence!
Oh, with regard to your comments, I don’t thing there was anything cheap about them. Thank you for saying what needed to be said.

“Satire only works if it has some elements of truth,” The cover was satirizing the many myths that had sprung up about the Obamas. Even I got that.