Please get with it.
The advert, profile, focus group, and image people working for Obama live and usually work within walking distance of the cartoonists, writers and editors for the New Yorker. They go to the same parties and have drinks (and sex) with each others wives and/or boyfriends. This cartoon is part of the makeover Obama is currently enjoying by virtue of his -- completely unchallenged -- move to the center. This cover will generate gazillions of dollars in free publicity and was undoubtedly timed to go on sale and was thoroughly vetted and coordinated by Obama's people. The best thing you could do is ignore it. It's not a cheap shot at Obama. It's the furthest thing from that. It's also not simply making fun of people like us. It's an attempt to draw the uncommitted into the "kewl kidz kamp" by getting them to identify with how ridiculous it is to portray these nice middle American folks as leftists or race baiters.
Its all part of the BIG SHOW.
Come on. I am very cynical, but don’t think for a moment that this went out with the approval of the Obama campaign. They are trying desperately to move to the center. The last thing in the world they want is for someone to stoke these fears, even through satire. Part of what you say may be true: that the politicos talk to the mag writers and report how all the bumpkins in Middle America perceive Obama, but that’s as far as it goes.
Focus Group is the term I couldn’t think of....thanks.
I disagree with your assessment of the outcome though.
It will give the Obama campaign terrific market information.
This could be a watershed moment in Obama’s decline...when they discover who’s still standing after the heated debate on the cover is over.
If I were the artist, I could sure as hell defend it.
But thank God for Freedom of Speech and the Press.
ML/NJ
Well put.