The New Yorker , well known for its satire and taboo articles, is ruffling feathers with its latest cover , which features a caricature of Senator Barack Obama in the oval office, dressed in traditional Muslim garb next to wife Michelle, who dons camouflage and totes an automatic rifle.
Artist Barry Blitt says the cover was his attempt to emphasize the absurdity of recent claims that the Obamas are unpatriotic, secretly Muslims and how “scare tactics and misinformation” are being used in an attempt to destroy their campaign. Obama campaign supporters, however, strongly disagree, deeming the cover “inappropriate, tasteless and offensive.”
Always one to try to see the positive in every situation, I have to wonder if this depiction could be a great opportunity for Obama to formally address and put an end to rumors that may gain steam as the election draws closer. Or, did the cover sear the image of the possible next Chief of Staff as a flag-burning terrorist and his wife a militant radical in Americans minds? Perhaps this is just the beginning of the onslaught of political humor that is yet to come, regardless of who becomes the next president. Leno, Letterman and Jon Stewart are no strangers to regularly poking fun at the president, and who can forget Will Ferrell’s spoof of an illiterate George W. Bush or Dana Carvey’s portrayal of his father on Saturday Night Live?
One thing is certain: Obama has garnered more media attention-good and bad- than any other presidential candidate before him. His image has been emblazoned on American pop culture and his campaign is going to have to find a way to both reap the benefits and manage the fallout.
