New Yorker Obama Cover Sparks Uproar

Politico: Campaign Calls Magazine Cover Art "Tasteless And Offensive"

(The Politico)  This story was written by Mike Allen.

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Barack Obama's campaign is condemning as “tasteless and offensive” a New Yorker magazine cover that depicts Obama in a turban, fist-bumping his gun-slinging wife.

An American flag burns in their fireplace.

The New Yorker says it's satire. It certainly will be candy for cable news.

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 Sen. Obama's right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree."

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds quickly e-mailed: “We completely agree with the Obama campaign, it’s tasteless and offensive.”

The issue, which goes on sale Monday, includes a long piece by Ryan Lizza about Obama’s start in Chicago politics.

At a press availability Sunday afternoon in San Diego, Obama was asked, according to a transcript by Maria Gavrilovic of CBS News: “The upcoming issue of The New Yorker, the July 21 issue, has a picture of you, depicting you and your wife on the cover.

“Have you seen it? If not, I can show it to you on my computer. It shows your wife Michelle with an Afro and an AK-47 and the two of you doing the fist bump with you in a sort of turban-type thing on top. I wondered if you’ve seen it or if you want to see it or if you have a response to it?”

Obama, shrugging incredulously, replied: “I have no response to that.”

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.”

Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post said Sunday on his CNN media show “Reliable Sources” that the cover is arguably “incendiary.”

“I talked to the editor of The New Yorker, David Remnick, who tells me this is a satire, that they are making fun of all the rumors,” Kurtz added.

Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune defended it as “quite within the normal realms of journalism,” adding that “it's just lampooning all the crazy ignorance out there.”

The panelists agreed it would succeed in its goal of getting attention.

[l00ker]

http://www.truthdig.com/cartoon/item/20080715_new_yorker_fist_bump

Not that''s satire, and funny to boot.

[tbweb]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c
id=1215330966037&pagename=JPost%2FJPArti
cle%2FShowFull

Here''s the true aim of the Jew Yorker, as I have said here before, the jews don''t have that kind of juice here in America anymore, and not a moment too soon.

Posted by l00ker at 10:26 PM : Jul 15, 2008,,,

There is an effort underway in the U.S. to have all new Police Recruits around the nation visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a part of their training. Many of the new Police Recruits who have already visited cited learning of the horrors in the way German Police were used against German Jews and how not to treat the public themselves! Based on the way Jews were mistreated in Germany I am always a little shocked at the way Jews in Israel "reportedly" mistreat Arab Palestinians having experienced mistreatment themselves at the hands of the Nazi Germans, then the thought came to mind that maybe new Israeli Police and Military should visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as part of their training too and learn how "not" to mistreat those under their responsibility since there are so many deaths and complaints!

[l00ker]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215330966037&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull


Here''s the true aim of the Jew Yorker, as I have said here before, the jews don''t have that kind of juice here in America anymore, and not a moment too soon.

[mtracy9]

The New Yorker is just another example of the U.S corporate media and its owner''s uncomfortableness with the prospect of Obama as President. So the corporate elite comes up with a cartoon that attempts to reinforce a scary stereotype of Obama among the masses. They defend their smear by saying this is just satire, and if others don''t see it as such, it''s because they are unsophisticated. Hopefully, many of the The New Yorker''s subscribers will see this editorial caracature for what it is -- dirty politics -- and cancel their subscriptions.

[libsluv2spit]

"Spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement: %u201CThe 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."

************
its liberal based news gone wrong..AS alays

[joe1022joe]

It is true that now Obama claims to be a Christian. But it is also true that one-half of his family, which is all of his natural father''s family, is Moslem and lives in Africa today. Literally half of Obama%u2019s family is African and Moslem. These are not relatives from a 300 year old slave ancestor. These are his brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. His step-father is a Moslem and lives in Indonesia. While a child, Obama lived in Indonesia and attended a Wahabe Moslem school. His religion was stated as Moslem. These are not connections that can be cast aside with an, "Oh, that was then, this is now" attitude. When you place this in combination with his wife''s comments about being proud of America for the first time when her husband (Obama) was running for president, his very close 20 year relationship with a black Christian preacher who clearly hates the USA and his association with an unrepentant Weatherman who publically stated the day before 9/11 he was sorry he hadn%u2019t set off more bombs, you have a picture of a man we all should be shocked holds the public post of dog catcher, much less United States Senator. The idea he is being seriously considered for the office of President is positively revolting.

[kemahcw]

I didn''t blame anybody for anything, I just stated a fact, white people created american racism. that magic wand you talk about is called racism, you have and have had many great advantages because of racism whether you like it or not, whether you admit it or not. and please don''t give me the old, I had it just as bad as you line, it only shows you how racism has blinded you from the truth.
I haven''t said anything hateful or unethical to you or in any of my comments but the racism and hatred inside of you has led you to attack me! like I said before, watch and learn...

Kemah

[mtracy9]

The New Yorker is just another example of the U.S corporate media and its owner''s uncomfortableness with the prospect of Obama as President. So the corporate elite comes up with a cartoon that attempts to reinforce a scary stereotype of Obama among the masses. Hopefully, many of the The New Yorker''s subscribers will see this editorial caracature for what it is--dirty politics--and cancel their subscriptions.

[mycomment-2009]

Then why doesn''t the New Yorker have another cover with McCain surrounded by Mexican illegals and a flag in the background that says "United States Of Mexico"???? That would be funny and true if people would be dumb enough to vote for Amnesty Mccain
Posted by TRBundro1277 at 06:06 PM : Jul 15, 2008

I can''t help but laugh at some people who post here. So TRBundro thinks it would be FUNNY if the magazine cover featured McCain as stated above....but NOT FUNNY if it''s Obama. Personally, I think they both are funny....the''re just caricatures depicting political humor and satire...nothing more...isn''t your Sunday paper full of them? I know mine is...and a lot of them are pretty over the top. I think this one is particularly brilliant in the way it depicts the absurdity of some peoples beliefs about Obama.

[trbundro1277]

Satire and sarcasm are generally not understood by people with a high school education or less or with an IQ of 95 or lower.
Posted by minnick8 Spoken like a true liberal. "Everyone else is just not that smart so we the liberal goverment must take care of you."
Posted by Barocalto at 05:57 PM : Jul 15, 2008
** Yeah, but your so-called conservative government under Bush/Mccain would give amnesty to over 12 million illegals and give rich people even more cheaper labor. The rich get richer and more corrupted! Find a true conservative candidate that is against amnesty as the Republican candidate, and I would consider voting for him as long has he doesn''t promise tax cuts to the rich people! The country does lean slightly right of middle, the only problem is that on the topic of amnesty for illegals, Mccain is way farther to the left of center than any of the democrats that ran for president. I hate Mccain! I would really honesty vote for a foreigner over Mccain, because atleast the foreingner wouldn''t give amnesty to over 12 million illegals like Mccain wants!

[trbundro1277]

17 months ago the Democratics took control of congress and look what has happened since that time.
The Democractic lead congress has in only 17 months, killed the housing market, got gas prices up to $4.30
per gallon and the stock market closed below 11K, man the Dem''''''''s sure know how to help the little guy... Posted by Barocalto at 05:22 PM : Jul 15, 2008
*** You always try finding a way to blame the democrats for high gas.. I wonder who the gas and oil companies give money to???? The Republicans! Duh! The Republicans are the ones that want high gas prices so that they make more profit, heck, between bush and cheney, they own stocks in over 12 oil companies! Do you not see how much money they are making off of this? The Dems only have one more vote than the repubs in senate and congress anyways!

[trbundro1277]

The whole purpose behind satire is to make fun of something or someone
Posted by kevzgrl at 05:44 PM : Jul 15, 2008
*** Then why doesn''t the New Yorker have another cover with McCain surrounded by Mexican illegals and a flag in the background that says "United States Of Mexico"???? That would be funny and true if people would be dumb enough to vote for Amnesty Mccain. I don''t care if Obama is a muslim or not, I care more about having a president that would co-sponsor legislation to give amnesty to over 12 million illegals. That is complete lawlessness! That is insane! The Democrats aren''t even that far to the left. They only want to give citizenship to a few, Mccain wants to give amnesty to over 12 million! I hate Amnesty Mccain! Anyone other than Mccain!

[trbundro1277]

The whole purpose behind satire is to make fun of something or someone
Posted by kevzgrl at 05:44 PM : Jul 15, 2008
*** Then why doesn''t the New Yorker have another cover with McCain surrounded by Mexican illegals and a flag in the background that says "United States Of Mexico"???? That would be funny and true if people would be dumb enough to vote for Amnesty Mccain. I don''t care if Obama is a muslim or not, I care more about having a president that would co-sponsor legislation to give amnesty to over 12 million illegals. That is complete lawlessness! That is insane! The Democrats aren''t even that far to the left. They only want to give citizenship to a few, Mccain wants to give amnesty to over 12 million! I hate Amnesty Mccain! Anyone other than Mccain!

[barocalto]

Satire and sarcasm are generally not understood by people with a high school education or less or with an IQ of 95 or lower.
Posted by minnick8

Spoken like a true liberal. "Everyone else is just not that smart so we the liberal goverment must take care of you."

[barocalto]

many people will be more firmly convinced than ever that Senator Obama is a Muslim, and Mrs. Obama is a terrorist supporter. people will look at that cover and say "SEE - I KNEW there was something to all those things "They" say."
Posted by kevzgrl
......................
The magazine is written by liberals and if they think Obama is a Maxist then he must be. As far as Ms Obama goes she is also a maxist but the terrorist part was news to me... But it doesn''t surprise me.

[barocalto]

Obama is a Maxist and Michelle looks kind of hot with the tight jeans and affro.

I thought the American Flag instead of being in the fireplace should have had Obama lighting a big joint with it....

[kevzgrl]

The whole purpose behind satire is to make fun of something or someone (in this case people''s xenophobic and bigoted perceptions of Senator and Mrs. Obama) Unfortunately, too many people who see the cover will not be able to grasp the fact that it IS satire, not fact, and will be more firmly convinced than ever that Senator Obama is a Muslim, and Mrs. Obama is a terrorist supporter. Those people will never accept that all the garbage they are reading and hearing about Sen. Obama''s religion and beliefs and lack of patriotism are just that - GARBAGE. Narrowminded people will look at that cover and say "SEE - I KNEW there was something to all those things "They" say." Sometimes, publishing something like this can do more harm than good, and I believe that is the case here.

[barocalto]

17 months ago the Democratics took control of congress and look what has happened since that time.

The Democractic lead congress has in only 17 months, killed the housing market, got gas prices up to $4.30
per gallon and the stock market closed below 11K, man the Dem''''s sure know how to help the little guy...

[platteman]

The only difference between Osmama and Obama is BS.

this is the first of many cartoons of Obama. He better get used to it. First he says, don''t pick on my wife, she sticks her foot in her mouth and he gets upset. Then he says, don''t pick on my kids, yet he puts them out on an interview. Now he can''t have it both ways. Either we can talk about them or we can''t, but to put them out to campaign for him, then say they are off limits, that is just plain wrong.

Best thing about the cartoon, It''s Funny!! It has Aries, a person who is now proud of her country and a post turtle in it.

[minnick8-2009]

Satire and sarcasm are generally not understood by people with a high school education or less or with an IQ of 95 or lower. Back in the early 70''s when Archie Bunker was on TV, his humor was supposed to be sarcasm, but it was found that his target audience identified with and agreed with the humor rather than seeing the sarcasm or the satire. Therefore, there are a lot of people who will take the pictures and article at face value and not see it for anything else. My guess is that was its real intention.