Political Cartoon- Puzzled President

            This political cartoon was published on September 17^th, 2011, in the Star Tribune, a newspaper for Minneapolis, Minnesota. This political cartoon was drawn by Steve Sack, a 2004 Pulitzer Prize finalist, the editorial cartoonist since 1981, and recipient of numerous national accolades.

            The purpose of this political cartoon was to make a statement about Democrats’ positions on Obama’s possible second term. This is clearly displayed and fully explained in the puzzle’s message “One Term for Obama”. A defeated-looking, pale, and thin Obama weakly holds up a puzzle piece labeled “jobs” to a corpulent elephant. Dressed in a blue pinstripe suit that sharply contrasts with Obama’s black one, the Democratic elephant accepts it in a bemused and sarcastic manner, promising to see if it “fits” into his agenda. Clearly it doesn’t. In fact, the only “piece” that will fit is a promise of only one term.

            “Puzzled President” was drawn in both causal and spatial context, intended for readers of the Star Tribune. It is causal because presidential elections are in 2012, and many, including the President, are already campaigning. The cartoon is also made in a spatial context because throughout Obama’s term, many Democrats have expressed disapproval of the President.

            The three appeals are also evident. Logos is evident in that Obama’s “jobs” piece will not fit into the puzzle, and that one term is needed instead. Ethos is established with Sack’s knowledge of the “jobs” puzzle piece, which refers to the Jobs Bill that Obama wants to pass in Congress. He also is familiar with the elephant as the Democratic symbol, and is aware of 2012 elections. Pathos is used in portraying a thin and weak Obama, of a sarcastic, fat elephant, and a looming bleach-white puzzle/agenda.