Is the New Yorker's Muslim Obama cover incendiary or satire?

There are always at least two sides to everything in politics. The up-side for Barack Obama of the persistent controversy over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's black militancy and racist sermons was that it sure drove home the point to millions of thinking voters that the Illinois senator was attending a Christian church, which countered the even-more persistent online rumors about Obama being Muslim.

Remember the native costume photo that was or was not promulgated by the Hillary Clinton campaign way back when she thought she had a chance to win the nomination? It's still going around online.

But now comes another unwelcome development for Obama's camp.

The cover of this week's New Yorker magazine depicts Obama in one-piece Muslim garb and headdress fist-bumping his booted, Afro-wearing wife Michelle in camo clothes with an AK-47 and ammo-belt slung over her shoulder beneath a portrait of Osama bin-Laden while the American flag burns in the fireplace -- in the presidential Oval Office.

It's got everything incendiary except a vest bomb. Which is what should telegraph to most people that it's way over-the-top and, therefore, satire.

But politicians don't like satire because it's subject to differing interpretations.

Obama declined comment today, seeking not to elevate its importance. But, in a move that certainly drew more attention to a commercial decision with no hope of changing it, his campaign issued a statement by Bill Burton which Mike Allen of Politico.com reported as, "“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."

The McCain campaign immediately e-mailed a similar statement from Tucker Bounds: “We completely agree with the Obama campaign, it’s tasteless and offensive.”

Of course, the McCain people must say that, despite some staff no doubt chuckling behind closed doors over their opponent's new challenge. That's the problem with satire. A lot of people won't get the joke. Or won't want to. And will use it for non-humorous purposes, which isn't the New Yorker's fault.

A problem is there's no caption on the cover to ensure that everyone gets the ha-ha-we've-collected-almost-every-cliched-rumor-about-Obama-in-one-place-in-order-to--make-fun-of-them punchline.

So you'll no doubt see this image making the internet rounds in coming months by people who don't want to see the satire. And won't include the magazine's press release saying, "“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.”

In that issue is a non-satirical piece by Ryan Lizza about Obama's political start in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune respected columnist Clarence Page, an African American, said he found the cover "quite within the normal bounds of journalism."

Little doubt the incendiary magazine cover accomplished its intent of attracting attention on an otherwise slow-news summer Sunday. It'll probably sell more magazines too. And more Mylanta for the Obama offices.

--Andrew Malcolm

(By the way here's the actual article that goes with this satirical/incendiary cover. Warning: It's very long.)

Comments

[inquisigal]

I am a New Yorker subscriber and resident of New York City, and would like to clear up a few things:

1). The New Yorker is a magazine, not a newspaper.
2). The New Yorker's typical readership may be small because it's a magazine devoted to literature, arts, and culture (which includes politics as related to culture), as well as the arts scene in New York City.
3). The New Yorker is popular here in New York City, and this is because many people who choose to live here want to be informed about these topics; because we all spend a lot of time on the subway, many people read novels, short stories, and arts & culture magazines.
4). If the New Yorker's readership is down, or it's not breaking even, that concern has not been expressed in the NYC press, or to subscribers. The New Yorker isn't trying to be People Magazine - and never was.

In closing, I actually don't find the cartoon funny - it makes me feel uneasy in a way that a cartoon depicting the World Trade Center towers on fire, with people jumping to their deaths, might have felt if it appeared in a magazine in September 2001. Maybe it would seem funny if it was attached to an article that delved into the issue of the mass-paranoia and hate-mongering in this country, as related to Obama's campaign - THAT would have been a needed, and interesting article. As a stand-alone piece, I think it was a bad choice.

[Paul]

I think it's funny.

[Steven Shade]

How about putting McCain in a Klu Klux Klan outfit? Just because some people may have incorrectly thought he was a klan member.

[rebra stevens]

I'm sorry, that picture is not funny. I know it was meant to be funny, and maybe a year from now, after he is President Obama, who has created an inclusive America, where we all listen and share, agree to disagree and do something about this mess we ALL share a bit in creating, maybe then it would be funny. Everyone knows funny is all about timing. The timing of the picture is not right, that's why it's not funny.

[Free Press]

Gosh...I hope there won't be a FATWA put on the artists head?

[Anne]

The offensive front cover of the New Yorker was either poor editorial judgment or a deliberate attempt at publicity at the expense of Barak Obama. In either case - shame on them!!! One thing for sure - journalism at it's best it surely is NOT!

[John]

Looks like the comics have found a way to make fun of Barack. It’s about time. Humorist cartoons are never flattering. I remember watching Saturday Night Live this year in which the only time they would have a Barack impersonator was if the had a Hillary impersonator on the stage at the same time. The Hillary impersonator was the butt of all the jokes. Should he become president, shows like SNL will probably cast their jokes on the people who work around him rather than on Barack himself. That’s if he doesn’t do something stupid which is highly unlikely.

[realamericans4mccain]

I can hear Michelle ranting "we will get whitey for this"!!.

[IonaTrailer]

1. It's satire.

2. Americans are too stoopid these days to know what satire is.

3. I want equal time showing all the cartoons "Otis" suggested. Hilter on a cross, Washington porking his slave, FDR's crutches getting kicked out from under him, Liberman with a big nose and money-bag, Bush is overalls chasing his sister, etc.

4. I'd like to see an atheist for President. Separation of Church and State and all that. Let's here it for the un-Godly! Go unbelievers!

[Tyler P.]

racist & insulting? yes.
-
Boring & overdone? definitely.

Who cares if Obama rhymes with Osama? this piece is screaming lack of creativity. If i drew a picture of a Shrub in the oval office representing Bush would that make the cover of the New Yorker too?

Good job New Yorker! This rag perfectly hits your target demographic of people with an IQ below 3.

[lb]

AS an Obama supporter, I enjoyed my great guffaw. The controversy says more about the level of education in our nation than anything else. OOPS! Did that sound elitist?
If the media didn't wave this under the nose of conservatives, they probably never would have noticed the New Yorker cover. That did sound elitist.

[lb]

AS an Obama supporter, I enjoyed my great guffaw. The controversy says more about the level of education in our nation than anything else. OOPS! Did that sound elitist?
If the media didn't wave this under the nose of conservatives, they probably never would have noticed the New Yorker cover. That did sound elitist.

[americans4mccain]

I can hear Michelle now- "we will get whitey for this"!!.

[vegasgirl]

Thozmaniac: Liberal moonbattery? Really? And I suppose all the "Obama is a Muslim e-mais" by conservatives are OK, right?
And if McCain was depicted in a similar light, you'd have no problem, right?
Careful, your right-wing hypocrisy is showing.
As to cover: Tasteless, and lousy satire, but the New Yorker has every right to run it. Obama's supporters will just have to toughen up -- because the GOP Smear Machine will go into overdrive this summer and fall.
And such is the state of our political system today. No wonder why most Americans don't vote (which only continues the vicious cycle that resulted in the mess America is in today).

[Debbie D]

Hopefully the New Yorker will have on its next cover Cindy McCain in a sea of empty vicodin bottles (or whatever she was addicted to), snorting crack cocaine, sitting on a stack of $100 bills in a designer suit, with hubby John McCain, women hanging all over while he has one bent over a desk and his pants around his ankles, while his x-wife and kids watch on. Now, that’s what I call satire!

[Mark]

When did SNL buy the New Yorker?

Puerile. Ugly. Unfunny. Yup, it's got Lorne Michaels written all over it. The New Yorker is clearly desperate for attention, but this is a new low. Pathetic twits.

[a little New Yorker]

Wow, brilliant cover. The very fact that so many people are writing about it - and mostly missing the point - underscores its brilliance.

satire is not meant to be funny, it's meant to be thought-provoking. Jonathan Swift famously suggested the starving Irish should eat their dead babies; after all, he said, they have so many.

good satire is meant to shock you, look again at what you just saw, and understand that you must have missed something.

oh, and btw, it is NOT SATIRIZING OBAMA! ffs people, you can be offended at the racist xenophobia, but don't get upset about its "depiction" of Obama.

jeez.

[Pin Galarga]

Obama people! RELAX. We have seen all top politicians made fun off for our entertaiment. Why should Obama be any different?? Unless, is some kind of Muslim law we're braking. It if is, SORRY, we are in America. This is not the Middle east, we have fun here and we all know Obama's religion will and is one of his Aquiles heals.

[Chuck]

Here we go again! What the right wing calls "satirical humor" is in, actuality, "overt racism". What is the point that the New Yorker is trying to make? Do they think that Obama hates America and loves Bin Laden? Do they think that his policies reflect this? Wow, get a clue, rightie. These opinions are deeply rooted in hate, and span many generations of the ignorant. These people use fear of the black man and fear of the muslim to try to retain power, and I believe the worst is yet to come. They've told us he's a crazed muslim. They've told us he's a crazed black christian. They've called him "Obama Osama". They've called him names I can't repeat here. And, judging by some of the posts on this blog, they're not done yet. Can you imagine what would happen if a magazine put George Bush dressed in Nazi garb, with an American flag burning and a portrait of Hitler above it? Would that be considered satire, too?

[McCainiac]

What Obama's campaign should have said:

"We agree with the New Yorker. While over the top, the New Yorker has accurately captured the picture that Republican operatives are trying to paint of Barack Obama. That's why we have a website called FightTheSmears.com to head off these unfair caricatures. We appreciate the New Yorker pointing out in a satirical way just how ludicrous these caricatures are."

Instead, they called the New Yorker's piece "tasteless and offensive" instead of missing the obvious opportunity to seize upon using the New Yorker to further their claim that all right wingers are out to smear BHO.

Thankfully, Obama's campaign missed that opportunity to advance their argument. Now we can get back to advancing the argument that he is "Dr. NO" when it comes to energy security. You know, an issue that is the top priority for America today. I don't care if BHO is or isn't a secret Muslim. McCain would make a better President, leader and Commander-in-Chief. No amount of skillful spin on the part of BHO will change that.

[victor knopp]

ah so the the pen is mighter than the sword

[Denize]

I am black! I AM NOT voting for Obama! I am tired of Oprah telling people what to do and she does not have a clue! People OPEN UP YOUR MINDS AND THINK FOR YOURSELVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some people got it! Thank God, some people are thinking and questioning and not voting blindly! I am not saying don't vote for him, I am saying THINK and make a conscientious decision! How hard is that?

[jon nettles]

Past covers of past and present politicians have been absulutely much more irreverant than this. Why is this causing such a hailstorm? Maybe because it is close to true/? If obama can't stand the heat..get out of the kitchen.Many are thinking what has been presented as satire. AND a picture says a thousand words. Its wonderful to live in a country that (still )....allows freedom of speech.

[rich]

I liked the new yorker, i don't see nothing wrong.

[AJ Luckenbaugh]

Yeah, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of press and Freedom to have satire on anyone we want. We are still free until the socialist get in power. So we better enjoy our freedoms while we have them
AJ Luckenbaugh

[Tyrone]

Thank goodness for freedom of speech.
This is the greatest country in the world.

[Phil]

I suggest that we all step back, take a deep breath and get some perspective. If you read the New Yorker regularly, you're aware that the magazine's covers are often whimsical depictions of current myths, stereotypes and anxieties. This one is no different. Is it "tasteless and offensive"? Sure, the way any caricature is. Is it part of some plot against Obama? No. The New Yorker is a reliably liberal publication and has treated Obama quite cordially in the past. The whole thing will blow over in a week and the blogosphere will be on to some other silly distraction. Let's stay focused on what counts in this election: Iraq, the economy, healthcare and the broader issues of rebuilding the nation after eight years of the worst administration in American history.

[Bill Trzeciak]

This brings back Mark Twain's cautiion about the use of satire in the general public. "One can deliver a satire with telling force through the insidious medium of a travesty, if he is careful not to overwhelm the satire with the extraneous interest of the travesty." How could the New Yorker not see the effect this would have on millions of eyes just passing by? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[Anonymous]

This is clearly offensive to all Obama supporters. The New Yorker has transcended acceptable satire.

[Dr. Trout]

This is called "post modernism," people.

This is NOT a satire. It's a picture of truth.

Many times memes carry a clearer vision that is intended.

[maryam]

Those of u threatening to stop reading NYer, because of this cartoon, given the well-known liberal reputation of the magazine, are yourselves the most intolerent of all and not any better than those muslim fanatics who are known for their outrageous reaction everytime someone says something about Mohammad that they don't ike.,

[Jack Thedog]

I can't wait to see what clueless, elitist, out of time and space lampoon they put forth of John McCain and his wife.

Perhaps the two of them clinking glasses of beer in one of their seven homes as the economy crumbles and the middle east burns?

That would be satirical as well - wouldn't it?

Come on New Yorker hot dog magazine-ists - do it.

[Mark]

Heh, heh... It's funny. Satire doesn't require in depth analysis unless one is terribly uninformed. Get over it. It's funny.

[cecikierk]

Neither. This is freedom of speech. the press can make fun of Bush, Cheney, McCain, Hillary...what exempts Obama from it?

[Silvia]

This cover goes to far... in fact I'm very disappointed at the New Yorker for running such a slanderous cover. If the Republicans want to win this election they need to avoid these mishaps becasue all it does it bring light to the narrow minded sector of the party. Secondly, the cover is also an attempt to instill fear in the voters. That is not what the democratic process should do. For the record I'm a Republican!

[Mr.Bill]

The Obambi worshippers will have a hissyfit over the portrayal of their idol and deity, Barack.

The New Yorker has done far most sinister caricatures of George W. Bush and nobody complained.

The Obamabots need to stop whining and crying like Barack and Michelle O.

[Tamara A.]

The New Yorker is such a tired magazine. I am not surprised that they would use this particular tactic to sell their silly rag. I am sure that the Obamas will overcome this challenging moment as they have with others and unfortunately will have to continue to do so.

[petero]

i do not care whether you like Obama or not but his campaign has laid an egg here,they should have stood for the cartoonist and said he has a right to do whatever he wants wether they disagree with it or not, Obama is a politician just like any out there and he will say anything to be elected. I thought he was about politics of hope and fear, i guess he is about politics of lets hope i get elected and yes you can help me get elected and yes i am a politician who will stoop to any level to be elected. Also what this cartton shows is that a majority of Americans are too dumb to understand the premises of satire and what a free press entails. What the campaign should have done is condemned the idiots who are pissed off and calling this offensive. If i may remember all the huge stories about our government wrong doings were reported by the New Yorker,

[Victoria]

Send your disgust to New Yorker directly:
I just did
webcomments@newyorker.com

[pac mclaurin]

To paraphrase Lloyd Benson."I've seen satire, sir; and, this isn't satire." It's not funny, clever, intellectual, biting, ironical, nor does it make a pun. It is sophomoric, silly, in poor taste, and the New Yorker should be ashamed. This is closer to Swift Boating than to satire. It lampoons nothing, insults at multiple levels.

[dave druten]

i am an Obama supporter and thought it was extremely funny and typical New Yorker- why does anyone think it pokes fun at Obama - it is obviously aimed at the mudslinging pols who paint him in the garb depicted in the cartoon.
shheesh- what have we come to when we can't take a joke

[mary]

Let us Hope and pray that the Editors of New Yorker will not have to travel incognito to foreign lands to hide from the murderous Obamot Followers whose Deified Messiah-Allah has been sooooooo injured by this absolutely comico-satirical cover!

With Hillary thrown on the train tracks and portrayed in just about every ignominious way possible in the last six months, this is refreshingly unbiased in depicting some of the questions voters may have about the Obama origins as well as of those whom he has already pushed under the huge Bus of his megalomaniacal ambitions!

Amen to the bros @ N.Y. Stupendous and funny as hell, boys! It's about time you started lampooning the Untouchable darling of the media misogynist frat-boys who're left without any 'leg-thrilling' to make it through the day....

So what if Sweetie doesn't like it!!

Sweetie will "get over it". He'll just have to!

Hi 5 anyone? Sorry, fist-bumpin'?....

[Jerry P]

You gotta love Nu Yawk!

[trueamerican]

It is about time that some magazine show's the american people what Barack hussein obama,and Wife really are.It is amazing to see all the Hussein supporters,and their outrage.I wonder if the would be extremely mad if the cartoon were about john Mccain.This country will go to hell in a hand basket if enough intelligent voters do not go to the polls and vote come november to stop this insanity.and send barrack hussein back to the senate ,and let the people in illinois have their massiah back.let him be an Illinois problem.not a white House problem,that we laa will have to put up with.wake up america,before it is to late

[Tom]

In the years that will follow after Obama takes his seat in the oval office and presides over the US, we will look back on this cover and laugh at how foolish all those rumors and email chain letters were that loved to dress Obama up as some secret terrorist anti-christ.

For now, people just get fired up over this bologna. When all is said and done the Repubs and Dems will both feel like fools for perpetuating any of these rumors be it satire or not. End of story.

[Redisca]

Yes, the New Yorker is high-brow. Yes, its articles are long and excruciatingly detailed. Yes, few people read it. Yes, its humor isn't of the easy, public TV sitcom variety. Yes, there is a whiff of snobbery emanating from the pages of this periodical.

However, the suggestion that a cartoon should not be published out of concern that too many people lack the minimal brains necessary to understand what is really being conveyed is dismaying. Most of the mass media caters to the lowest common denominator -- could we, snobs, please keep our New Yorker? Please? After all, the fine quality of its writing, satire and research is what makes the New Yorker what it is. Must it now dumb itself down for fear of offending the tender sensibilities of (gasp!) a politician? What's next? Slashing the writers' vocabulary and translating the articles into Simple English? Or maybe converting the magazine into a comic book? Or a catalogue of idiotic but catchy one-liners, so attractive to people who fancy themselves politically "aware" yet cannot understand the meaning of this New Yorker cover?

This is such rubbish. Both candidates should stop whining like little girls. This country's earliest presidents endured much worse jabs at their characters without wallowing in self-pity. If the public in this country is dumb, it'll get the president it deserves. It's that simple.

[Lee]

Satire? This is old school Yellow Journalism (sensationalism to sell more issues). Disgusting.

[obama]

SSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY!!!
This is so stupid. Another racial stupidity - we can do it but you can't.
I'm so sick of this black/white issue that you people need to get a life! All you can do is whin about rights and color!!
Get off your soap, box and welfare, get a job and support your own grandparents, parents, yourself, your family, your 20 kids and their 50 kids and don't look for Obama to better your life in handouts because he's black.

[Natasha]

I think if they had included the title "The Politics of Fear," it would have been a more effective cover. It is so exaggerated with the burning flag, portrait of bin Laden, etc., that you have to realize it is satire. I think the people who do not, and use it as further evidence that Obama is a "Muslim" (read: terrorist who's going to destroy America) already have that perception in their head. Seeing a cartoon image is not going to sway someone's opinion about a person.

[TruAmerican]

I told you that Obama is an Islam extreamist. Now you see, he realyl is! Tomorrow, he will bring a bomb!