Steven Waldman

In Defense of the New Yorker Cover

Monday July 14, 2008

cover_newyorker_190.jpgI'm puzzled by the Obama camapaigns response to the new Yorker cover. To me this seemed pretty clearly an effort to mock Obama's tormentors, not Obama. The depiction of the Terrorist Fist Jab mocks Fox News, not Obama or Muslims. The Michelle Obama afro mocks those who equate any African American with H. Rap Brown, not the bourgeois Obamas. The flag burning in the fireplace mocks those who claim that by criticizing Bush, Obama is being anti-American.

Candidates need to demonstrate they have a thick skin. Feeling aggrieved at slight attacks (especially ones that were intended as defenses) makes the candidate seem overly sensitive and insufficiently tough.

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Comments
pagansister
July 18, 2008 6:29 PM

Good Evening, "I"

Somewhere in the "reasons" for Iraq, there was WMD's (never found) and a threat to the US. 9/11 folks didn't come from Iraq...remember?

As far as I'm concerned this discussion is over. Your opinion and my opinion are never going to agree and this is going in circles. You think you're right...no problem.

Yea! EVE!

pagansister
July 18, 2008 7:35 PM

If I haven't answered all your thoughts, it's because the answer was ridiculous.

As you know, the over 4000 deaths have been in Iraq.

As far as I'm concerned, this discussion is over. My mind isn't going to change about the tragedy that is Iraq, the almost former president,the imaginary dude called many names, devil,satan etc, grace, etc.

Go EVE!

pagansister
July 18, 2008 9:16 PM

correction: ".....because the answers (you gave) to most of my statements were, IMO,ridiculous :)

Gloria Poe
July 20, 2008 6:07 AM

I am confused. What does the foregoing conversation have to do with the New Yorker cover?

I am writing to respond to the article. I did not feel it was the Obama campaign that reacted to the cover. It was the media. I felt the Obama campaign was very level-headed in light of what was seen. The only reason I could accept that as satire was that I am somewhat familiar with the magazine and the odd approach it often exhibits.

pagansister
July 20, 2008 4:05 PM

It doesn't...it came out of comments about the cover...and continued.

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