Obama: New Yorker Cover Probably Fuels Misconceptions
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller Reports: Senator Obama calls the controversial New Yorker cover an "attempt at satire" that “probably fuels some misconceptions" about him.
The cover illustration of the ‘New Yorker’ depicts Senator Obama in a turban, giving a fist bump to his wife, Michelle Obama who has an afro and is holding an AK-47. The American flag burns in the fireplace behind the couple, and a picture of Osama bin Laden hangs on the wall.
"I know it was the New Yorker’s attempt at satire. I don’t think they were entirely successful with it. But you know what? It’s a cartoon," Obama told CNN’s Larry King, "and that’s why we’ve got the First Amendment."
The Illinois Senator said that the depiction did not personally offend him, and that he’s seen worse in his run for president which has made him get "a pretty thick skin."
Obama has been plagued by smear campaigns over the course of his campaign saying he was a Muslim and spreading rumors that he does not pledge allegiance to the flag. Obama spoke to the larger implications of the illustration.
"In attempting to satirize something, they probably fueled some misconceptions about me instead. But, you know, that was their editorial judgment," Obama said but adding that it is the New Yorker’s right under the first amendment.
Obama said that the way he fights the rumors is by getting on TV and, "Telling everybody I’m a Christian and I wasn’t raised in a Muslim home. And pledge allegiance to the flag. And, you know, all the things that have been reported in these e-mails are completely untrue and have been debunked again and again and again. So, all you can do is just tell the truth and trust in the American people that over time, they’re going to know what the truth is."
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Obama got screwed over by that cover. It was offensive.
Posted by: Michelle | July 16, 2008, 9:33 am 9:33 am
==It was offensive.==
We’ll just bet that you got no prob when Christians are offended, huh.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | July 16, 2008, 9:40 am 9:40 am
A great piece and food for thought!
Posted by: Soetoro No! | July 16, 2008, 9:43 am 9:43 am
“Obama has been plagued by smear campaigns ”
no more than any other candidate.. but he’s a professional whiner
Posted by: trettione | July 16, 2008, 9:52 am 9:52 am
==I’m glad the New Yorker produced that cover. The depiction of Obama and Michelle is exactly how millions of Americans view them. This cover has done damage to Obama and will continue to do so. ==
Libs like to tell the rest of us that, when we are offended by, say, a teevee program that features offensive material, we should turn the set off, or change the channel.
Well, I say to them not to lookit the mag cover and/or don’t buy the mag.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | July 16, 2008, 9:58 am 9:58 am
When you have no substance, you simply criticize your opponents, accusing her or him things they never said or did. They have to defend themselves, and by the media cycle finished that round, they forgot what the original question was and a new subject will come along.
NewYorker fuels misconception – so said 0bama. Now you know, NewYorker was probably correct since 0bama is shifting blames.
That’s how a phony does his business to deceive you.
Posted by: atom | July 16, 2008, 9:59 am 9:59 am
This cover actually succeeded in doing what it intended to do. It simply proves how ignorant those are who WANT to believe the Obamas are Muslims, terrorists, unpatriotic, etc. You don’t even bother to read the caption “The Politics of Fear”, which is meant to disprove riduculous assertions. But, hey, who cares about the truth, right? Just keep on believing hate-filled falsehoods. Good luck come November!
Posted by: geecee | July 16, 2008, 9:59 am 9:59 am
==Obama has been plagued by smear campaigns ==
Dems like Bonior, Gephardt, Begala and Carville wrote the book on smears.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | July 16, 2008, 10:00 am 10:00 am
==Good luck come November! ==
McCain isn’t even campaigning in earnest yet, and, still, he is even with Obamarama.
So, yeah, good luck come November.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | July 16, 2008, 10:03 am 10:03 am
…we’ve got the First Amendment.” – 0bama
====
He just voted to allow the government to spy on you at any time in any place without check and balance, before you even get a chance to say it in public.
He only shifted his emphasis to deceive a few voters, abandoning priciples and your Constitutional Rights for political pandering.
HRC voted against that bill as promised. So did McCain.
Posted by: qex | July 16, 2008, 10:07 am 10:07 am
So, where’s the cover depicting McCain as a Manchurian Candidate? Oh, wait a minute, that might not be satire…
Posted by: Thomas Mc | July 16, 2008, 10:07 am 10:07 am
==He just voted to allow the government to spy on you at any time in any place without check and balance…==
Not true. Government may NOT spy on anybody without a check and balance. The FISA court is still in bidness.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | July 16, 2008, 10:09 am 10:09 am
==It’s clear that John McCain is the clear choice for POTUS.==
No prob. McCain is even with Obamarama, even though McCain has yet to campaign in earnest. When angry evangelicals come out da woodwork, they will trend to McCain and that will be that.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | July 16, 2008, 10:12 am 10:12 am
People are responding to the NYer cover with “THAT’S HIM!” because they’ve been brainwashed by Karl Rove’s Marketing Department tactics.
The stories are INTENTIONALLY ludicrous, otherwise they wouldn’t get attention. They are easy to dismantle logically, so liberals are suckered into refuting them, and repeating them in the process. The Republican response? REPEAT THEM AGAIN.
Logic has nothing to do with it – it’s about repetition. In marketing that’s called BRANDING. It worked against Al Gore, it worked against John Kerry, and it sold us the Iraq war – how many people in this country STILL believe Saddam was involved in 9/11?
Studies show that FEAR is the primary driver in decision making – it even trumps DESIRE. Obama is attempting to sell DESIRE. Karl Rove knows it’s much easier to sell FEAR.
Unless Obama catches on and fights fire with fire – it’s not like the Republicans aren’t SCARY ENOUGH – I’m disheartened to say, I’m afraid he’s toast.
Posted by: Snarxon | July 16, 2008, 10:12 am 10:12 am
McCain supporters are desperate. He had four months of campaigning under his belt before Obama got the nomination. And McCain is still either behind or barely even with Obama. How do you figure that? The debates haven’t even happened yet until after the conventions. After the debates, McCain will be way down. Get used to it people – OBAMA, the next POTUS!!
Posted by: geecee | July 16, 2008, 10:24 am 10:24 am
There has to be some truth to that cartoon and to the rumors about him. Why is so difficult for him to just “brush it off his shoulder”? His background, his name, his associates..everything about the man is strange.He’s too much of a risk for the country.
Posted by: brigitte | July 16, 2008, 10:28 am 10:28 am
Obama votes present on important issues.
McCain does not show up in Senate on the day two important issues went to vote.
Between these two, we are totally screwed.
Posted by: cloud9ine | July 16, 2008, 10:35 am 10:35 am
==…they’ve been brainwashed by Karl Rove’s Marketing Department tactics.==
Yeah, uh huh, that’s it! We’ve been brainwashed. Yeah, dat’sright, dat’sright.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | July 16, 2008, 10:36 am 10:36 am
Those who do not recognize it as satire are those for whom it is not absurd, but rather hits too close to the bone in a way that disfavors Obama.
Obama, realizing his attitude was too similar to those who want to ban Huck Finn from libraries and Muslims who rampaged against cartoons of Mohammed, has now – too late to be noticed – corrected his humorless self-righteousness. He recognizes that, indeed, some jokes about Obama must be permitted or his supporters will start looking like nanny-state Comintern members.
An unremarked-upon but active aspect of this cartoon that also hits too close to the bone is that Obama is wearing a dress and his wife a phallic symbol.
Posted by: SullivanGrandfield | July 16, 2008, 10:55 am 10:55 am
As always, Obama’s reaction was gracious, appropriate and gave The New Yorker the benefit of the doubt–at the same time underscoring the importance of one of our most cherished national liberties. I will be the PROUDEST I’ve ever been of my country when he is our president.
Michelle Obama is ugly? Barack is strange because of his name? This is really what you people are concerned about?
Wake up and realize what the real issues are here.
Posted by: LightoftheMoon | July 16, 2008, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Say….why’d they leave out the hammer and sickle?
Offensive? Tasteless? Insensitive?
Why, yes–even Republicans state that they agree!
Therefore, according to precedent established and staunchly defended by the guardians against censorship currently expressing outrage in super duper fancy words, the cartoon artist has obviously earned a huge grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and a major exhibition at the Met.
Seems pretty clear that the intentions of the magazine are being realized. The cover has indeed provided a long-overdue mirror reflecting hate, prejudice, and absurdity (hypocrisy and intolerance too)—- of those condensed into Obama, Inc.
DADA SIEGT
Posted by: aural margin | July 16, 2008, 11:13 am 11:13 am
i haven’t read the article but maybe it points out that obama is 50% black, 44% arab and 6% black. the thing with his wife i don’t understand nor care too. this man wants all American children to grow up in the conditions of the third world life he had as a youngster. remember this man has no idea of what is instilled in those that are born and raised here in the true mainstream. to break apart the usa into little anarcies then use close to military rule is where he is headed weather he can see it or not. we’ll be pluging in our cars and getting billed for each infraction commited through out the day. insurance groups will demand termanating pregnacies that for any costly abnormaldies or will push the burden of health care cost onto the parents completely. i’m not saying he’s a fool but i’m sure someone is.
Posted by: gordon mcguire | July 16, 2008, 11:19 am 11:19 am
are we so blind, are we that fearful, lets look at come of the real issues and try to decide who will make the best decisons to get us out of this recession, help us not to lose our homes, and save jobs or aren’t any of you watching the news. McCain is way to old to be considered for such an important job in our nation. at this point i am willing to have a younger President with fresh ideas, and hopefully a way to get America back on track, lets hope we can get past the mud slinging, and name calling and do what right for the American People.
we need to get a grip
Posted by: Elaine | July 16, 2008, 11:21 am 11:21 am
i meant 50% white, 44%arab and 6%black. so if elected he would be the first arab in office.
Posted by: gordon mcguire | July 16, 2008, 11:22 am 11:22 am
It does not matter what the facts are. People will read, believe, and forward material that supports their position even if they know it is wrong. I research material before I forward it. I don’t automatically believe what I read. I do not let people tell me what to believe. I guess that sets me apart from approximately 70% of the American public that is blindly duped by one special interest group or another.
It is time for people of both parties and all faiths TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES.
Until that happens and substantial meaningful change takes place, this country will continue to decline at an alarming pace.
Your Democratic Party, your Republican Party, and your religion of choice ARE NOT THE ONLY ANSWER. Like the bumper sticker comprised of various religious symbols – coexist. I would add co-operate.
Posted by: Allen | July 16, 2008, 11:23 am 11:23 am
The cover is outrageous, satire or not. I consider myself intelligent and sophisticated so the rationale that your readers are well-educated and can see the intended satire does not work for me.
Why not show a cover with McCain in a nursing home with Cindi dressed as a barbie doll or better still, a stepford wife?
How far would you go? Would you be concerned about the outrage in it?
Sarah R. B
Posted by: sarah belletto | July 16, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am
The cover is priceless!
Posted by: Aston | July 16, 2008, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm
Only Obama voters “respect” the liberal New Yorker. or should I say repected it when they ripped on conservatives. and believe everything a corropt incompetent Senator for Illinois tells them.
Posted by: geevill | July 16, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
The alarming thing about some reactions to the magazine cover is to quash the first amendment. Some seem to not have a clue about satire, while others ignore the intent and make less than candid remarks meant to advance Obama. Obama understands satire and therefore should explain it to his staff if any (of them) truly doesn’t get it. I suggest reading the article before going hysterical.
Posted by: Vivi | July 16, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
I think this is a very important election and no one has to date done the election it’s true justice. Since the days of Admiral Perry, the US government has practiced basically the same theme; heavy handed gun-boat, empirialistic diplomacy. At stake is our ability to exist in a new world, where the world will no longer tolerate our government’s misbehavior and pride. To me it makes perfect sense to talk to people I have a disagreement with. It makes perfect sense to make sure I get my facts straight before committing to a war. It make perfect sense to question our superiority as a world leader, if we have children and families going to bed every night with empty bellies in our country and a significant number of people can’t even afford to get medical attention. The bottom line is that under McCain, these things and behaviors will NOT change; game-set-match.
Posted by: emory crawford | July 16, 2008, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
I like Obama. At first, I did. Then, he got on my nerves along with the DNC, but I have really gotten to like Obama.
Posted by: misa | July 16, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
I just did not like the way Dean handled the primaries and I thought the DNC was grossly unfair to Hillary but I have decided this about Obama. I see him as more than just a brilliant guy, I Obama him as good presidential material. He gets my support.
Posted by: misa | July 16, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
I don’t subscribe to any religion, but I am surprised and rather disappointed by the fact that Obama has felt the need to point out, time and time again, that he is NOT A MUSLIM. I realise that this is in his best interests, and that not responding so directly would result in immediate attack from the media and effectively end his political career, but it is exactly this that I find most disconcerting. This attitude is proof that Muslims continue to be viewed with suspicion and distrust by the American people, simply because of their religion. Apparently, calling someone a Muslim is an insult and an attack on their character. This is a very sad and worrying state of affairs…
Posted by: stefugee | July 16, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
Obama is going to be a great president and let me tell you, I die hard for Hillary so this was hard for me to support Obama, but I am supporting Obama wholeheartedly from now on and it is not with a “lesser of two evils” concept. I really think he will be good. I just hope and pray he does not pick Edwards as VP.
Posted by: misa | July 16, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
Today, I saw a McCain cartoon with John McCain in a wheel chair being nursed by his wife giving him his presription meds. It was a good attempt at retribution. However a more comparable satirization would have depicted Cindy McCain as hooker. Once we see that cartoon, the first amendment debate can truly begin. Then we can truly see who is overly sensitive and who is not.
Posted by: KLW | July 16, 2008, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
McCain is in no way even with Obama in ANY poll. I don’t know what you are all thinking. Obama is destined to be our next President.
Looks like all you have left is that Michelle Obama Whitey Tape! Good luck with that.
Posted by: Orion | July 16, 2008, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
Obama is currently 9 points a head of McCain.
So good to see racism loose for once in life.
OBAMA 08!!
Posted by: Neffty | July 16, 2008, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
If you dress McCain in Arab clothes as a Muslim, does he look like a Muslim?
No.
But for Obama, he sure looks like a Muslim in that dress!
That speaks something!
Obama is a risk to the nation…
Posted by: Mike | July 16, 2008, 10:58 pm 10:58 pm
WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID TO SHOW THE MAGAZINE COVER. HE IS A MUSLIM, YOU KNOW AND THE WORLD KNOWS IT. WHERE IS HIS WHITE AHHIAST MOTHER AND TWO BLACK MUSLIM DADDYS. IS HE ASHAMED TO TALK ABOUT THE FAMILY AND JUST WHAT THEY ARE. AND STOP SAYING HIS WIFE IS GOOD LOOKING. SHE CAN’T HOLD A CANDLE TO JACKIE KENNEDY, NOT IN LOOKS, INTELLIGENCE, CLASS OR MONEY. PUT HER WITH WHOOPY WHERE SHE IS COMFORTABLE…
Posted by: JAMES | July 16, 2008, 11:48 pm 11:48 pm
they sure is a lot of stupid people in this world. you folks probably fell on yer heads at some point or other in your youth.
the cover is satirizing you folks, not obama. hello you guys. do you believe obama is osama because the names rhyme? may be God intended to be a SIGN. OOOH!
Posted by: jimbob | July 17, 2008, 12:45 am 12:45 am
I am disappointed that the New Yorker magazine would stoop to such a level. First, those who appprove this must know that we are a visual society and that images greatly impact our thinking and actions. There are still a lot of Americans who belief that Senator Obama is a Muslim deliberately ignoring the fact that he is a Christian. They want to believe that he is anti-American. This gives credence or at least an excuse to believe what they want. Secondly, I fell the cover only serves to divide Americans and not to unify. It does not unite us but rather shows how divide we are as a country. And why in the world was Michelle included? She is not running for office. Was the intent to revive the false fears of older “white” Americans of the sixties and seventies when every black person with an afro was view as a radical anti-american? Don’t forget that Bobby Seals co-founder of the Black Panther Party became a Republican politician. Perhaps the New YOrker was afraid to use the typical satire of black face, thick red lips, enlarged starring white eyes and enhance anatomy to dipict Senator and Ms Obama. May be to paint them as anti-american and supporters of terrorism was easier. As a retired military officer who served this great country, I am deeply sadden by the company’s desire to sell a magazine at the cost of helping to dis-unite the United States of America.
Posted by: Dan | July 17, 2008, 10:33 am 10:33 am
The people that are supporting McCain on this site particularly “mr Incredible ” ( what type of smuck gives himself such a moniker ) are vacuous. With any quantum of proof you want to apply , this country is far worse off then it was 8 years ago . McCain ,even though he opposed some of the policies that created this catastrophic mess, now wants to embrace and extend them . What a joke .
But what is really disheartening are racist morons like Mike and James.People like that are a greater threat to America than al qaida ever could be .
Posted by: john | July 17, 2008, 10:55 am 10:55 am
Gee, Obama Got “smeared” By
a Left-Wing Publication!
Give Me A Break! This was a Setup just
like the supposedly “off mike” comments
of Jesse Jackson to gain Sympathy for
Obama! We’re Not Talking about
Right-Wingers Here!
More Deception and Deflection from Obama!
Just Say No to Obama! No You Can’t!
Posted by: reaganfan | July 17, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
geecee:
You’re Dreaming!
McCain Will Clean Obama’s Clock
in The Debates!
Obama Knows It! That’s why he Won’t
Debate McCain in the Town Halls!
Obama the Phoney is showing that he is
just another politician by changing
his positions every other day!
I Guess that’s What He Means By
“Change You Can Believe In”! LOL!
Posted by: reaganfan | July 17, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm