From Politico
Barack Obama’s campaign stated that ““The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Sen. Obama’s right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree.” McCain’s campaign also communicated a similar sentiment. The comic is certainly offensive at first glance but also an excellent mockup of Republican efforts to paint Obama as a muslim, a terrorist and an outsider. Everyone knows that the right-wing machine is known for its ability to utilize negative campaigning to delegitimize candidates. The problem with this instance is that the New Yorker, a more progressive magazine, has added fuel to the fire in this illustration of the Obamas.
The New Yorker’s portrayal of Barack and Michelle Obama as depicted by right-wing attacks goes a little too far in the inevitable controversy it has created. Barry Blitt’s depiction of this politically crucial moment is largely accurate and comprehensible given the attacks of John McCain and the Republicans. Yet with the influence of the New Yorker and rapidness of the internet, pictures like this have a contradictory effect in reaffirming or worse, giving the false perception of the Democratic presidential nominee. I suppose the question to be posed is whether or not the New Yorker does more harm than good with this piece. Many Democrats and progressive thinkers alike are extremely sensitive this election season after having endured two full terms of Republican leadership and even under something as well-intentioned as the New Yorker, the stakes of this election are too great.
