Update at end of post: Netroots up in arms over this, artist explains!
He's wearing Muslim attire. She's dressed as a terrorist. And there's a flag burning in their fireplace.
Is this cartoon of the Obama's on the cover of a conservative publication?
Nope. It's the next issue of The New Yorker.
Of course, this is supposed to be a satirical representation by a liberal magazine of how conservatives view Barack and Michelle Obama.
Regardless, according to Politico, the Obama campaign is quite displeased (h/t Hot Air, photo courtesy Politico):
The Obama campaign quickly condemned the rendering. Spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement: “The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama's right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree." [...]
The magazine explains at the start of its news release previewing the issue: “On the cover of the July 21, 2008, issue of The New Yorker, in ‘The Politics of Fear,’ artist Barry Blitt satirizes the use of scare tactics and misinformation in the Presidential election to derail Barack Obama’s campaign.”
It's going to be fascinating to see how this is received by other media outlets in the coming days:
*****Update: The Netroots aren't happy. Take a peek at DKos and HuffPo.
HuffPo got in touch with the artist, Barry Blitt, who explained: "I think the idea that the Obamas are branded as unpatriotic [let alone as terrorists] in certain sectors is preposterous. It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is."
This is going to get interesting.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I wondered what he looked
July 13, 2008 - 23:55 ET by kgI wondered what he looked like without his halo.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Behead those who offend the Lord Obama
July 14, 2008 - 06:03 ET by pearlThe left will do anything to get the base pumped up. That's all this is.
This is how the GOP would have smeared His Coolness
July 14, 2008 - 08:37 ET by KC MulvilleI just love the fact that Obama claimed to forego campaign financing on the theory that he needed the extra money to combat the certain and scurrilous GOP smear attack. And when no smear attack came, and none appears on the horizon ... they've resorted to making up smears of their own, and trying to say that this is what the GOP smears would have looked like!
It's like the Democrats are in a conference room with the public, and their PowerPoint presentation breaks down. They're now reduced to playing with hand puppets. "I know you have to use your imagination, but this next slide ..."
Oh you just don't know how
July 13, 2008 - 23:59 ET by bigtimerOh you just don't know how pleased I am you put this out here tonight Noel since I won't be here tomorrow, I heard/saw about this today on some political show somewhere this morning...and I have been waiting for the leftists reply to this, plus somehow trying to spin this towards the conservatives attempting to put the blame on them somehow...
When I saw this I thought it was just delicious....
...DELICIOUS I say.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
OH MY!!!!!`
July 14, 2008 - 00:03 ET by bigpapaNotice the "muslim" above the fireplace??
Why are they so pale???
The libs are so stupid,,,,, it always surprises me how stupid they are... idiots..
NOBAMA 08 !!!
bigpapa, Is that a cartoon of mohammad? , look out
July 14, 2008 - 13:05 ET by upcountrywatermay be some head removing "protests", here and there around the world .
Liberals62%
IranianUranium
It's beyond credibility that
July 14, 2008 - 00:04 ET by robert108It's beyond credibility that the New Yorker didn't clear this with the Obama campaign first. I would love to hear the audio of that conversation.
Burning flag
July 14, 2008 - 06:38 ET by ThisnThat"When asked on Sunday his response to this article, Obama simply shrugged and replied he had no response".
Wow! Note that Obama's reply does not mention the burning flag? What a huge, huge mistake. A true patriot would have jumped all over this and pointed out how terrible it was that a stupid journalist decided to depict a burning American flag -- and if it were me, I would have totally ignored the insult towards me, but would have taken great offense at depicting my wife as a terrorist. But Obama simply shrugged. What a wimp; what a total moron with no political or patriotic instincts at all. Wow!
Obama has at least 3 reported flag-dissing instances on his record:
Not saluting the flag
Not wearing the flag lapel pin (before he started wearing it)
Having the Cuban flag promintly displayed in some of his campaign offices.
I truely believe Obama has no repect for the American flag -- none at all.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
This is so screw-ball anyway
July 14, 2008 - 00:34 ET by niner-four-whiskeyThis is so screw-ball anyway you look at it.
Do libs **REALLY** believe this is how conservatives view Obama?
For pete's sake, conservative is about reality.
The reality is that Obama is a very charismatic, yet utterly vapid political animal.
That's what I find truly
July 14, 2008 - 09:40 ET by Hero SquadThat's what I find truly offensive about this cover.
Couldn't they have at least done a dual cover with McCain in a similar satiric situation?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
You should check out Democrat Underground!!
July 14, 2008 - 00:36 ET by LibraryLadyIf you think the Obama campaign is unhappy, you should see some of the posts at Democrat Underground!!
LL... Hey excellent point
July 14, 2008 - 00:49 ET by bigtimerLL...
Hey excellent point you have there...
Now I am lol just thinking about that...I bet the rest of the leftist sites are going to have plenty to say...going to be funny really.
I'm not going there tonight...but I may in the next day or two...I do love real comedy.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
This is a rare "buy and
July 14, 2008 - 00:37 ET by maggieqpublicThis is a rare "buy and save" magazine cover.
Only liberals can get away
July 14, 2008 - 00:56 ET by garyganuOnly liberals can get away with making fun of these things. If a conservative made this kind of joke he would be called a racist, a xenophobe, anti-Muslim, unpatriotic and a hater.
We should do away with political correctness and allow everyone to be offensive, rather than having a system that has half of us walking on eggshells and the other half being offensive as heck like homosexuals in the Folsom Street Fair..
garyg... Exactly... You
July 14, 2008 - 01:04 ET by bigtimergaryg...
Exactly...
You know I meant to post that earlier, if any conservative magazine had this on their cover, my gawd we would never hear the end of it...from the moment is was first shown...it would be the top story on all networks. blogs, papers, radio airwaves.
I said that to my husband this morning when we first saw this...
Nope, no bias/hypocrisy here when it comes to the 24/7 msm.
."America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
The TRUTH hurts
July 14, 2008 - 01:04 ET by DelsaPool lil SOBama and his "mean America...for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country" wife!
They must be beside themselves.
Too F'n bad. (pardon my french) but I could not say it in english.
The artist captures the two of them perfectly.
The New Yorker will pull it after it apologizes six million times to the SOBama
Evenin' Delsa...I too
July 14, 2008 - 01:07 ET by bigtimerEvenin' Delsa...
I too wonder how many times they will apologize...although isn't it too late to pull it?
Well, one can hope...heheheee...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Give it 24 hours. McCain
July 14, 2008 - 05:06 ET by motherbeltGive it 24 hours. McCain will apologize for it.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Good point, MB. McCain will
July 14, 2008 - 06:20 ET by ThisnThatGood point, MB. McCain will take the lead in condeming this cover, then stand by passively after Obama points out that this cover was a direct result of Bush's policies that McCain will duplicate if elected.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
The artist captures the two
July 14, 2008 - 01:16 ET by bigtimerThe artist captures the two of them perfectly.
That's another thing you got there Delsa...
A picture is worth a thousand words...is it not?
LMAO~!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
BT
July 14, 2008 - 01:23 ET by DelsaYou bet the pic is worth millions of words.
I LOVE it
real estate in florida? talk to me
oops
July 14, 2008 - 01:27 ET by Delsasorry
I tried to edit my first post to read "poor" lil SOBama
And REALITY Is
July 14, 2008 - 01:07 ET by Delsathey are Maxists
I don't care what they wear.
Well, thanks for the
July 14, 2008 - 01:44 ET by bigtimerWell, thanks for the update...I could only handle reading Skylar's piece...
Like they say...a picture is worth a thousand words...as in this case.... and then some.
Liberals do understand pictures...sometimes.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Can't wait to hear the commentary tomorrow. . .
July 14, 2008 - 02:06 ET by tracheostomyBlitt overplayed his hand, IMO.
And shouldn't Michelle be in a Burqa?
-PJ
My lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism...and proud of it.
It's (wink wink) satire
July 14, 2008 - 02:45 ET by DaMava few things of interest in reading the story and pages and pages of comments at Politico and Huffpo.
- Obama's initial reaction to the picture was "no comment". Reminds me of Dukakis and the rape issue. Here's your wife being shown with an out of date Afro toting a gun as a terrorist on a widely read magazine and your response is... no comment? Let me check with my campaign to decide how I feel?
- It is a little scary to read all the comments that start out "I believe in free speech, BUT..." followed by some diatribe about how terrible it is to say mean things about the Chosen One. One poster even launches into a tirade about how free speech shouldn't allow this kind of thing to be targetted against the first possible African American president. Hold the Constitution and Bill of Rights folks, we have a black man running...
- It is utterly amazing to watch the liberals at the sites mentioned blaming Rove and Republicans for the New Yorker cover. Just reflexive nonsense -- "If the right thinks it can beat Obama with this sort of Rovian garbage....". roflmbo, I think the New Yorker has an alarm system that goes off when a Republican gets within a hundred yards of the building :-)
The Afro
July 14, 2008 - 10:15 ET by Eileen Rightreminds me of Angela Davis in her anti-American heyday. Combined with the burning flag this could be a not so subtle link to the Ayres crowd
Eileen
July 14, 2008 - 10:24 ET by Noel SheppardEileen,
It's supposed to. That's was the explicit intent. ns
Well excuse me,
July 14, 2008 - 14:56 ET by Eileen Rightguess I'm a bit daft for commenting...
Here's a nice nugget from DKos kids...
July 14, 2008 - 03:15 ET by Indiana JoeThe taglines from two outraged Kos kids who agree with each other:
"PATRIOT I+II, MCA, FISA CAPITULATION, NOW TORTURE. YOUR COUNTRY IS SLOWLY BEING DISMANTLED. WHAT R U GONNA DO ABOUT IT?"
"'To such thinking you have only to say "the land you loved is doomed" to excuse any treachery, indeed to glorify it.' -Tolkien, On Fairy-Stories, 1938."
Now, THAT'S irony! Delicious!
LMAO
<edit: Further perusing uncovered someone making a typo, using zero (0) instead of the letter "O" for Obama's name. I like it. I'm swiping it. It's perfect, because there's nothing there! He's forever 0bama to me.>
Shrug
July 14, 2008 - 05:47 ET by SAM-OHIf the turban fits, wear it.
I feel I must qoute Terry
July 14, 2008 - 06:09 ET by mikejI feel I must qoute Terry Moran here:
With all due respect, who made the Obama campaign the editors of the New Yorker?
Senator Obama, do you also
July 14, 2008 - 06:34 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsSenator Obama, do you also condemn the numerous depictions of President Bush as a monkey/Hitler?? Will you be condemning similar attacks on McCain/Republicans??
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Or how about this one
July 14, 2008 - 06:52 ET by motherbeltOr how about this one ?
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Life's choices
July 14, 2008 - 08:19 ET by 10ksnookerThey are what they are.
Another fabricated slight to get the base worked up
July 14, 2008 - 08:56 ET by krendlerJust another example of the type of swiftboat and racist attacks and smears we can and *should* "expect" from the evil white conservatives. Right, Barack? We "know" it's coming. And "McCain could stop it if he wanted to."
Hysterical. The liberals, stuck with a McCain campaign focusing on its strong suit - His experience, record and the Issues - are relegated to manufacturing their own slights to become outraged over.
Yeah, one party and campaign is engaging in smears, racist remarks and race-baiting alright - and it ain't the Republicans. The media, of course, goes right along with it.
More "hope and change" from the Illionois state senator who, after being elected to the US senate and serving for a year, decided it was time to run the country.
Someone to lampoon besides Dubya
July 14, 2008 - 09:00 ET by AmericanEnergistFor almost 8 years, I have seen editorial cartoons of the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, et al, shown in the most unflattering (at least) way and at times, damn-near libelous (at worst).
Now, the libs poke fun at one of 'their own' and they call the depiction "dangerous"?!? How *expletive* disingenuous!!
Hey libs - Get over yourselves! And Mr. & Mrs. Obama - get used to it.
www.ArmchairEnergist...
obama and hillary
July 14, 2008 - 09:12 ET by Catherwoodhave I completely missed it or has NB missed covering the Obama forgetting Hillary story?
the video is just great and the message behind the story is just too good to be true. the really good part is that a form to be filled out was left under the seats in the audience. BO forgot to tell the crowd to fill them out. After he came back and told the crowd to donate to Hillary, the forms were left unused under the chairs.
great link
July 14, 2008 - 09:17 ET by soosanthanks for the link motherbelt - the libs really enjoyed the Bush as Sadam cover.
Wasn't this just a ploy by the Dems to solidify the Muslim base?
What, no flag
July 14, 2008 - 09:36 ET by Hero SquadWhat, no flag pin?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Coming soon
July 14, 2008 - 15:01 ET by Eileen RightThe 58 Star version is currently backordered.
Poor Taste
July 14, 2008 - 09:40 ET by dwillmoreThis is just poor taste no matter how they spin it.
Now for the funny -
I did not realize that was supposed to be Ms. Obama in the picture, I thought it was a remembrance of the Chicago 7.
I heard Obama's problem was with the way his ears were drawn, not with the rest of the cartoon.
I refuse to vote for a man that wears socks with sandles.
What is that flag made of??? That is the best non-flamable material ever.
At least Michelle is not using an AK.
See, they are pro-gun rights.
The whole hand bump thing makes me want to puke.
They are angry because
July 14, 2008 - 09:45 ET by bassndudeThey are angry because Michelle in not in a Burka and Obama doesn't have a gun.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Elitist liberals find unfettered creativity dangerous?
July 14, 2008 - 10:01 ET by nwahsI suspect if it was a crucifix in a bowl of urine, it would be ok
(http://en.wikipedia....)
So now we have the the elitist liberals who think the dumb liberals won't get the satire and the satire should be banned, the artist fired and exiled, and senate hearings held to find out how this happened.
The artist should have just submerged him in a bowl of urine.
This is hypocrisy on so many levels.
In an effort to boost
July 14, 2008 - 10:02 ET by BuffNBoneIn an effort to boost magazine sales, the New Yorker's nuanced cover was meant to interest the "non-reading right".
It does have a certain collector's investment appeal to it.
"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
Outrage?
July 14, 2008 - 10:16 ET by iveseenitallAfter what's been done to America's president for almost eight years, the left is "outraged" at this? "Liberal" hypocisy knows no bounds. Scheeze!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Times cover really says a lot...
July 14, 2008 - 10:13 ET by packmanAlthough obviously intended to be "political satire," the Times cover actually appears to represent what a lot of conservative Americans believe to be the truth about the Obamarama campaign.
He disrepects our flag, won't say the pledge of allegiance, won't display the flag on his lapel, embraces terrorists, seems to have more love for Islamic radicalism than for good old American patriotism, would probably pardon Osama-Bin-Laden and put him in a halfway house in YOUR neighborhood...
It all looks like a very accurate depiction if you ask me...
====================
Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread... ~Thomas Jefferson
A more accurate depiction
July 14, 2008 - 10:40 ET by BlazerA more accurate depiction to me would have been Obama dressed as a nanny rocking a baby Uncle Sam underneath a picture of the hammer and sickle. I dont' think any level-headed conservative believes the man is an adherent to radical Islam or a terrorist, so much as he's an empty suited opportunist, and he had the misfortune of cutting his political teeth in corrupt Chicago with its unsavory radical characters for influence peddling and now his "chickens are coming home to roost".
In the eyes of Islam he would be branded an apostate for even walking into a Christian church. The man is a socialist plain and simple, and if you ask me the cover of the New Yorker reflects how a good deal on the left really feel about the Obama's and their trying to disquise their intentions by claiming its satire, when its actually manufactured outrage designed to deflect blame upon conservatives.
The only thing missing is for some crazed Hillary supporter to make an attempt on his life so the MSM can rush to their defense and exclaim "but thats what a conservative would have done sooner or later !".
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
HuffPo crap...
July 14, 2008 - 10:26 ET by Clear thinkerFor all the crazies that lurk at HuffPo you gotta hand it to them, cause when they come up with an idea it's a doozy!
"How long before it shows up as a best-seller T-shirt (by people for whom it's NOT satire, it's Truth)?"
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
Wonderful caricature…
July 14, 2008 - 10:43 ET by maggieqpublicWonderful caricature… Michelle’s ‘gaze’ is perfect. This Barry Blitt cartoon belongs at the Library of Congress with an old favorite political cartoon by Edward Sorel.
http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/sorel/index-pol.htm
(left column, click on Richard Nixon)
Do left-wingers have any sense of humor at all?
I can't imagine the New
July 14, 2008 - 10:45 ET by Hunter12I can't imagine the New Yorker doing anything to ridicule their man, so I see this as the start of the de-sensitizing campaign to remove or defuse several legitimate complaints one could lodge against Senator Obama and his spouse.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
I'm going out and BUY that issue..
July 14, 2008 - 12:45 ET by upcountrywaterNew yorker beat, National Review which themselfs, have.. great cartoon covers heres one.
It's funny satire ,because it's TRUE
Who knows, maybe they will sell a bunch of magazines.
Liberals62%
IranianUranium
Caption fest?
July 14, 2008 - 13:39 ET by nwahsSo whats the chances of this being this week's caption photo?
:-D
It's going to be
July 14, 2008 - 23:24 ET by bigtimerIt's going to be fascinating to see how this is received by other media outlets in the coming days:
Noel...
I'm just catching up from where I left off last night up to the recent blog posts/threads...
You fascination from late last night when you posted this...it sure is being answered....
....Deliciously!
I have been aware all day what has gone on politically for the most part with the msm ect....I have never laughed so hard for the most part of all of this...can't help myself.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh