The New Yorker is taking a lot of flak for publishing this cover showing a “satirical” view of how Barack and Michelle Obama are viewed by the smear merchants on the right.
Naturally the left side of the blogosphere is all aghast at this insipid attempt at comedy. Before we get all hysterical, however, it should be noted that stupid and offensive caricatures of Presidential candidates by national publications are not exactly new. For example:
Somehow Lincoln survived these clumsy and tasteless comparisons of his physical appearance to that of a great ape to win two terms as President. Perhaps such “satirical” images are less damaging than we imagine. Need I say more?
