Vanity Fair spoofs the McCains (and New Yorker)

Is a satire of a satire funny?

The editors of Vanity Fair are about to find out. This morning they posted a spoof of last week’s controversial New Yorker cover, the illustration featuring Sen. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, dressed Islamic terrorist-style, fist bumping before a burning American flag.

Depending on who you asked, it was either incendiary or brilliant political parody.

The Vanity Fair illustration, drawn by Tim Bower, gives the New Yorker treatment to Sen. John McCain and his wife. The likely Republican nominee is pictured stooped over a walker, tapping his wife, Cindy, who is clutching an assortment of prescription pill bottles. On the wall hangs a portrait of President George W. Bush.

The editors, tongue firmly in cheek, explained it this way:

"We had our own presidential campaign cover in the works, which explored a different facet of the Politics of Fear, but we shelved it when The New Yorker’s became the 'It Girl' of the blogosphere. Now, however, in a selfless act of solidarity with our downstairs neighbors here at the Condé Nast building, we’d like to share it with you. Confidentially, of course."

If Vanity Fair’s editors find themselves at the center of their own political hullabaloo, don’t say they weren’t warned.

-- Kate Linthicum

Cover art: Vanity Fair

Comments

[Vince]

This one actually rings true and isn't based on slanderous lies and false rumors.

[vinman]

Trading cover illustrations is sooo early July 2008.

[dave]

'he who pays the piper calls the tune'
- the pied piper

they did not forget the burning constitution in the fireplace... maybe this caricature can help people to wake up when they wonder why they cannot laugh at this one either, and realize: both portray reality.
both would-be-presidential-candidates are not the legitimate candidates of the american people. behind the assigned roles they have assumed to play for distraction, this is a treasonous joint venture. the complete buyout and hostile takeover of the government by anticonstitutional, nonrepublican and nondemocratic forces, to complete the 'work' of their predecessors; all busy to implement the agenda of a totalitarian corporate fascist state of the global 'new world order.'
their common assignment is to destroy and 'burn' the only bridge and chance the american people have to regain their freedom, and their honor - to follow the principles of the constitution. for the people to take back their freedom, and take control of their affairs. for small government that is accountable and serves the people, not for the people to be slaves of government. candidate for PRESIDENT, RON PAUL tirelessly shows the dire reality, but also shows the way out of the quagmire, and how to avoid the total nightmare.