A Picture’s Worth A Thousand Words

Political cartoons have long been staples in American politics.  Before television, internet cartoons, and very controversial New Yorker covers, editorial cartoonists rawly exposed political happenings and projected their interpretations into the minds of their viewers.  William Tweed, a corrupt political machine politician in 19th century New York City, once commented:

I don’t care a straw for your newspaper articles, my constituents don’t know how to read, but they can’t help seeing them damned pictures.

Here’s a look at some of this week’s political cartoons and what message they are trying to get across.  It is important to note where and what papers these cartoons are published in, as they provide important insight into the minds and messages effecting local voters.

John Trever, of The Albuquerque Journal in New Mexico points out how the current financial crisis in America is difficult for both candidates to address.  During the debate, both McCain and Obama avoided discussing any real specific remedies for the ailing economic situation:

Over in the Arizona Daily Star based in Tuscon, David Fitzsimmons notes the tactics and tone used by each campaign.  Linking McCain to Rove is an interesting suggestion, especially considering it comes from McCain’s homestate paper:

Steve Sack of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune in Minnesota comments on the McCain campaigns political stunt of trying to move the debates - and points out the underlying motive of trying to keep Sarah Palin away from the press: