Analysis

By Bobby McGill

"I am a leader by default, only because nature does not allow a vacuum."-Bishop Desmond Tutu

"From Peanut to President"

It was 1924 when James Earl Carter, Jr., the future president of the United States of America, popped up in a peanut patch in Plains. Georgia that is. A state proudly wrapped in its confederate flag, whilst slap-happily whistling Dixie through a peach cobbler stained tooth, or two.

"The South shall rise again," they like to say, in that redneck of the woods. And, in scant measure, it did with the 1976 election of Carter as the first president from the Deep South since the Civil War.

Carter, a peanut farmer and born again Baptist, took the reigns to the heralded office of the presidency riding in on a wave of skepticism following the Nixon fiasco. This, coupled with the public’s dubiety with Ford’s policies, and a general lack of amusement with his inability to walk without hurting himself, made Carter a shoo -in.

Wisely, and somewhat accurately fashioning himself an "outsider", he narrowly sailed into the White House as the 39th president in January of 1977. It was the closest electoral vote in sixty years; a civil war of sorts; only this time the dividing line was between the Eastern and Western states. Ford with his conservative Republican ticket took the West, with the slightly to the right of left Carter taking the entire South, and most of the East.

"The Smile"

Perhaps the most salient characteristic of Carter’s outward appearance was his smile. One prominently framed by a pair of full lips that would draw a super model’s envy. Though most insiders agreed that behind the great smile lay a brittle rectitude, and a tough, demanding demeanor , the American public simply saw it as a warm, toothy, trustworthy grin.

It has long been the practice of political cartoonists to over embellish a president’s characteristics, Carter was certainly treated no different.

"Country Bumpkin?"

Candidates for public office are often apt to portray themselves as something that they really aren’t. Carter appeared to many Americans to be a typical Southerner: a good ol' boy, noble, trustworthy , honorable, and no doubt carrying a great deal of hard worked Georgia clay 'neath his fingernails. The millionaire peanut farmer didn’t fool everyone though.

"In Bod We Lust"

Every so often in a political cartoonist life a dream comes true. Adversely, this "dream" is generally a nightmare for someone else. In November of 1976, a past act of carelessness put candidate Jimmy Carter into a public relations nightmare. As the saying goes, "to err is human, to forgive is divine." Before Carter’s presidential bid he made his humanity quite evident in the forever infamous Playboy interview. It was at the conclusion of what had, up to that point, been a relatively mild mannered interview, that Carter had this to say:

"I have looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. God recognizes I will do this and forgives me."

 

The result of Carter’s revealed humanity illustrated that political cartoonists have little desire to be viewed as divine.

"Southern Discomfort"

Once in office and throughout his presidency, Carter was dogged by numerous problems. Unemployment was high, inflation was high, daughter Amy was suspected to be high, and Brother Billy was drunk. There was an energy crisis, an oil crisis, and, when things could not get worse, a traumatic hostage crises. To Carter’s credit, there were the occasional highlights. Few stand out more strikingly than the peace that was brokered in the Middle East under his watch. Carter wisely capitalized on Egyptian president Anwar Sadat’s dramatic trip to Israel, and managed to bring the two sides together in peace. Not without great difficulty, mind you.

"Inept?"

As stated above, Carter’s presidency was battered by a faltering economy, an "energy crisis," and an abuse of American citizens abroad that had the public here at home brooding over America’s diminished stature as a world power. Opinion polls regularly showed that the public actually liked Carter as a person, but lacked faith in his leadership abilities. The evidence to this effect was overwhelming, with Carter often being characterized as inept at solving the nation’s problems.

Carter’s "inept" handling of the energy crisis offered much fodder for the cartoonists as well.

"More Rabbit Problems"

One would think that Jimmy Carter had his fill of rabbits after Playboy (whose mascot is a rabbit) released the "lust in the heart" interview during the campaign. Oh well, there were apparently more rabbits waiting in the wings. According to Carter he was attacked by a "killer rabbit" while on a fishing trip near his home in Plains, Georgia.

Call this a cartoonist's dream, too.

Carter’s public nightmares of killer rabbit’s, bad economies, and variousother crises were soon to end, when reality again proved far more creative than fiction. Yes, the peanut to president story could only be eclipsed by the election of a former movie star to the White House.

From the 84 campaign against Mondale

"Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere."

-Ronald Reagan

Conservative Republican Ronald Wilson Reagan graced the earth with his not so humble presence shortly after the fall of Rome. Well, close; 1911, actually. And, after a 25-year stint in Hollywood, followed by two terms as California’s Governor, he stepped into the White House as the 40th president of the United States in January of 1981. At that moment he also stepped into the record books as the oldest person to ever serve in the oval office. You can do the math.

As president, Ronald Reagan was undoubtedly one of the most persuasive speakers of our time. Even his most ardent, and, more than likely fuming opponents would begrudgingly concur with his title of the "Great Communicator."

In the introduction to his book Reagan Speaks, Paul D. Erickson makes an interesting point regarding Reagan’s famous moniker.

"We should remember that the word communicator means more than clear speaking or writing. It comes from the Latin comunico, which includes in its meaning ‘to share,’ ‘to unite’ and to ‘join together.’"

Ronald Wilson Reagan, a unifying force? That’s debatable. And, when in a country whose Constitution professes that the value of equality is paramount, it is discomforting when there sits at the very highest office a man who holds some beliefs that don’t quite seem to jibe with the ethic. It was a sure bet that the political cartoonists would have a field day with this issue.

Most cartoonists took particular issue with Reagan's seeming adoration for the rich in the society, and an apparent disregard for the poor.

Inept?

Many troubles dogged the Reagan administration, including Iran Contra, huge deficits, and armed citizens shooting at him. Perhaps the most personal pinch that plagued Reagan was the "age factor". Many felt that he was not playing with a full deck, often using various euphemisms for "a bit dim". There was certainly good evidence of this manifested in his unusually heavy dependence on his top aids.

One such aid was Reagan's one-time speech writer Peggy Noonan, who once said that "the battle for the mind of Ronald Reagan was like the trench warfare of World War I: never have so many fought so hard for such barren terrain."

Whether the allegations of ailing aptitude were true or not he was a ripe target for drooling cartoonists.

Cold War

It is often said that a president has little chance of being considered "great" unless the time in which he holds office facilitates it. Abraham Lincoln had the Civil War and slavery to thank for his legendary status, Roosevelt had the depression and World War II, Kennedy had Kruschev and Marilyn Monroe, just to name a few. (Examples of presidential greatness that is). Sure enough, even the "Great Communicator" had his "great facilitator." The "Cold War".

Reagan’s ardent call for a buildup of nuclear warheads gave the political cartoonists an unusual play on words to work with.

To his credit, Reagan, due in large part to a massive military buildup, presided over the closing chapters of the Cold War. A story that ended with the president matching wits with progressive Soviet leader Mikail Gorbachev. Looking askance this, in truth, brought out the best in ol' Ronny, and in the political cartoonists who followed the exploits as well. Among them, cartoonists that apparently could not resist the "warhead" gag, again.

Iran Contra

Perhaps the cardinal blemish on Reagan’s watch would have to be his alleged involvement, and ardent denial of a role in the Iran-Contra deal. An arms for hostages debacle, which found Colonel Ollie North, along with other Reagan officials, side-stepping the U.S. Congress’ express prohibition of giving arms to the "freedom fighters" in Nicaragua. Amazingly, it was all planned in the basement of the White House. Reagan, in defending the need for arming the Contras, even went so far as to refer to them as being akin to America’s founding fathers.

Reagan’s denials of being involved in Iran Contra did not play to well.

After eight years, the Reagan legacy ended. Well, sort of. For Reagan’s vice president George Bush judged the Great Communicator’s coat tails to be quite a good place to hitch a ride right into the White House.

George Bush

"What's wrong with being a boring kind of guy?" -George Bush

George Herbert Walker Bush. One man, four names, many hats. Over the course of his political career Bush served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee,U.S. envoy to China, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, vice president to Ronald Reagan (breath), and eventually, the 41st President of the United States.

In line with the theme of this little venture that you have been kind of enough to join me on, I will show highlights of the Bush presidency. Before we do though, permit me to make further use of my "many hats" quip employed above. Namely, regarding the particular hat worn by Mr. Bush as the vice president to Mr. Reagan.

From an ideological perspective, this particular hat was not always his headgear. You see, he was long known as a moderate Republican; pro-choice, practical yet usually business friendly. To be on the Reagan parade he had to take one for the team and don far more conservative head wear than. The keen eyed creator of Doonesbury, Garry Trudeau, would not let Bush live this capitulation to Reagan down.

Read My Flips

The Bush presidency was a bit more in line with the man’s true identity, but, he still came off as a bit uncertain on certain issues. In particular was his reneging on a steadfast promise to never raise taxes. The tax treachery was especially damaging to his credibility when considering his fanfaronade statement, "Read my lips! No, new, taxes!" This is what is known in scientific terms, and coastal footwear, as a "flip-flop".

Economic Whoa!

In similar fashion to Jimmy Carter, Bush was plagued with rough economic times. Though it has long been debated how much effect any president has on the economy, the public will, largely, hone their blame on him, regardless. George Bush, perhaps due to his refined upbringing, handled the economic woes as you would handle a crazy aunt when company is coming over: you don’t talk about her, or, at worst, you hide her in the back room until the guests leave.

Fortunately for Bush he was abruptly saved from this worry when Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein marched into neighboring Kuwait; taking over both the oil rich country, and the American public’s attention.

"Bush Of Arabia"

Bush sprung into action, doing what he did best––––throw a party. He invited all of the allies over to Saudi Arabia for cocktails and Cruise Missiles; with Hussein as the guest of dishonor. Concurrently, Bush misled the American public with a ludicrous pitch that our involvement was in the name of Kuwaiti sovereignty, rather than asserting the legitimate reason to fear Hussein: his dangerous proximity to the giant oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. Right or wrong, the cartoonists were quick to deride him for this "fib".

Wimp?

Further compelling Bush to action in the "Gulf War" was the "manhood" problem that at this point had evolved into the "wimp factor". A tag that had dogged him since the Reagan years, and one he just assumed lose. None the less, he did give sanctions against Iraq a fair shot. Nevertheless, the "wimp factor" haunted him; even in the editorial cartoonists box.

All "Good" Things Must Come to an End

Eventually, the American led coalition attacked, and laid waste to the Iraqi military. Bush’s approval rating following the end of the war took off like a Patriot Missile. Fizzled like one, too. Indeed, the romance with George Bush was a short one. The dramatic exploits of Operation Desert Distraction quickly wore off and Americans were once again greatly concerned with the recession; not to mention a massive savings and loan bailout being paid for with tax dollars.

Bush, a noted foreign policy buff, turned to an international agenda to help his ailing ratings. Even all of the news still emanating from the cold war was not enough to help Bush. Using his accomplishments abroad to fool the American public was a big topic amongst the cartoonists.

Denial

Bush refused to admit that there was a problem with the economy, maintaining an optimistic demeanor about it.

It's The economy, Stupid!

In the end the economy would, in large part, sink his presidency. The amazing thing to consider is that he held on to the belief that every thing was fine, right up until the very end.

Bill Clinton, an incredibly shrewd politician, capitalized on the perception of Bush’s domestic inadequacy. The rallying cry of the Democrats was simple and to the point: "it’s the economy stupid!"

With the strength of this issue, a moderate --almost Republican stance-- and the help of a small Texan with large ears, Clinton unseated Bush for the presidency.

William Jefferson Clinton

"When I was president, I said I was a Ford, not a Lincoln. Well, what we have now is a convertible Dodge."

-Gerald Ford; referring to Bill Clinton

The Campaign

Bill Clinton was born in Arkansas as William Jefferson Blythe IV in 1946. One can only degrade so stately a name to "Slick Willie" by riding in on a dirt road from Arkansas to Washington D.C.. That is exactly the road Bill Clinton took into town. Yet, as a horn-playing candidate from a place called Hope, the press treated "Slick Willie" as if he were Gabriel descended from Heaven. Clinton much like Reagan, had, and still has, a charm that strikes one at the very core. Coupled with an amazing grasp of the issues (something Reagan lacked), and a bright, highly educated wife (another Reagan short fall), the young presidential candidate from Hope certainly appeared too good to be true. Of course, he was.

During the campaign Clinton was dogged by adulterous affairs, draft dodging, the silly "I didn’t inhale" defense, and charges of being a "tax and spend" liberal in wolves clothing. The press didn’t care, they loved him. Or so the cartoonists viewed it.

Perhaps more importantly for Clinton, the press apparently didn’t like Mr. Bush, and his recession denial. Even though he may well have been right about the coming economic recovery.

Left, Right, Left, Right!

In his campaign for the presidency, Clinton was clever enough to portray himself to the voters as a moderate. The left wing of the Democratic Party stood little chance with the American voters, and Clinton knew it.

Draft Dodger?

During the run for the Oval Office Clinton was repeatedly questioned about avoiding the draft for Vietnam, and his admitted demonstrations against the war while a student in England. The political cartoonists laid into him for it.

The Presidency

In the end, the voters overlooked the myriad of character issues, and Clinton narrowly sailed into the White House in January of 1992.

The Clinton presidency would turn out to be the most lampooned in the history of the Union; even eclipsing Nixon. This was due in part to Clinton’s innate ability to change positions at the drop of a hat, and eventually his inability to avoid dropping his pants.

Clinton, holding up a "spork" to a gathering once said, "this is the symbol of my administration, a cross between a spoon and a fork. No more false choices between the left utensil and the right utensil. This is a choice in the middle and a choice for the future." This bizarre Clinton interpretation summed up why it was like Christmas every day of the year for cartoonists across the nation.

Gays? In the Military?

The first Clinton debacle was his controversial call for gays in the military. The armed forces did not respond to their Commander in Chief quite as he had hoped they would.

Will the Real Bill Clinton Please Stand Up?

Clinton’s first year was littered with a trail of broken promises. Candidate

Clinton had promised a middle-class tax cut, but President Clinton pushed through the largest tax increase in history. Many felt that the liberal in wolves clothing was revealed.

The Clinton attempt to reform health care was a monumental task. To make matters worse, he put his wife Hillary on the job. Eventual Clinton challenger Jack Kemp had this to say of the move: "Health care amounts to 14% of our GNP- a lot of money. It is the size of the Italian economy. And the president turned it over to his wife."

The greatest fear amongst typical Americans was that they were being hung out to dry in terms of health services. The greatest fear in the medical industry was, "how much will it cost?" The cartoonists ran with both sides.

Snafus R’ Us

Along with an unsuccessful attack on the giant health care problem,

expensive haircuts on busy airport runways, failed nominees,and a youthful inexperienced staff, Clinton was hounded by more than most men could handle. But, in typical Clinton fashion, he continuously kept up the battle in a uniquely Clintonesque way: perpetual surrender. (As the throwing in the towel cartoon above points too.) Clinton used this artfully though during his presidency and when running for it. It is difficult to attack a guy who takes the issue away from you, by saying, "yeah, you’re right."

96 Campaign

During the 96 campaign versus Bob Dole, he co-opted a Republican agenda, and took it straight back to the White House.

Clinton Family Values

Clinton’s early presidency also saw what Americans perceived as a loss of family values; evidenced by high crime and a waning moral structure. Loosely defined, Americans were looking for a return to something in the flavor of Ozzie and Harriet, or Father Knows Best. As to whether this country was every really like that is certainly debatable, but in-depth looks at complex issues is not in the political cartoonist’s job requirements.

Bridge to the Future

Clinton's big campaign promise. Cartoonists love big promises.

Ladies?

Normally ladies go first but which lady? Monica, or Hillary? Well the First Lady shall go first and then we will wrap it up with Monica.  Hillary Rodham Clinton is surely the most outspoken First Lady in decades. This was both good and bad for the President. As the cartoonists saw it, she reveled in her new position as the president's wife.

The Monica Affair

No matter what Clinton may have accomplished as the Prez, he forever will be dogged by the Monica Lewinsky affair. Though the American public was divided on the implications of a sitting president having an affair with an intern, the political cartoonists were unanimous:

Let's go get him!

Unless you fell off the back of a truck, everyone should know the Monica story. One that as of this writing is still unfolding. I will call this little adventure quits from here and just let the cartoonists take it the rest of the way.

Thank you…