Artist's Background
–Born in 1956
–Former Mormon (The Herb Block Foundation)
–Grew up in a republican family (The Herb Block Foundation)
–Father was mayor of a S. Californian town with a Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base (The Herb Block Foundation)
–Formerly a moderate republican, but became a liberal independent during the George W. Bush presidency (The Herb Block Foundation)
–Former Mormon (The Herb Block Foundation)
–Grew up in a republican family (The Herb Block Foundation)
–Father was mayor of a S. Californian town with a Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base (The Herb Block Foundation)
–Formerly a moderate republican, but became a liberal independent during the George W. Bush presidency (The Herb Block Foundation)
My Interpretation
Caricature
–Romney’s huge body and muscles to represent brute strength contrast Obama’s frail frame
–Romney's dumb jock persona giving impression of ignorance
–Overly armed, possibly a waste of effort and resources
–Romney’s aggressive straight-on pose contrasts Obama’s passive side-view
–Romney’s tattoo suggests violence, not peace
Text
–Labeling of gun suggests that firepower is Romney’s only foreign policy strategy
–Communicates punch line on Obama’s shirt, despite Romney looking the part, Obama has proven himself already
Coloring
–Dark shading behind Romney emphasize a negative view or “dark-side”
–Dark shading contrasts the white, pure background behind Obama
References
–“got milk?”
–Rambo
–Incorporating pop-culture references allows readers to relate more to cartoons, increasing their interest in politics -Rob Rogers (Conners 2007)
–Complex characteristics can be explained through the use of a single reference (Conners 2007)
–Pop-culture references can be a reason why people misinterpret cartoons, if they do not fully understand the reference (Conners 2007)
–Romney’s huge body and muscles to represent brute strength contrast Obama’s frail frame
–Romney's dumb jock persona giving impression of ignorance
–Overly armed, possibly a waste of effort and resources
–Romney’s aggressive straight-on pose contrasts Obama’s passive side-view
–Romney’s tattoo suggests violence, not peace
Text
–Labeling of gun suggests that firepower is Romney’s only foreign policy strategy
–Communicates punch line on Obama’s shirt, despite Romney looking the part, Obama has proven himself already
Coloring
–Dark shading behind Romney emphasize a negative view or “dark-side”
–Dark shading contrasts the white, pure background behind Obama
References
–“got milk?”
–Rambo
–Incorporating pop-culture references allows readers to relate more to cartoons, increasing their interest in politics -Rob Rogers (Conners 2007)
–Complex characteristics can be explained through the use of a single reference (Conners 2007)
–Pop-culture references can be a reason why people misinterpret cartoons, if they do not fully understand the reference (Conners 2007)
Other Interpretations
–Romney presents a “tough-guy” image with respect to foreign policy, though no achievements, while Obama can boast about capturing Bin Laden
Coloring
–Harsh, dark background behind Romney showing anger
–White background behind Obama represents enlightenment
Caricature
–Big lips are stereotype of African American
–Comparison of bulky Romney to thin Obama represents each candidate's military support
References
–“got Milk?” shirt shows Obama’s cockiness in his strategic capture of Bin Laden, not just by brute force
–Romney’s character represents war
–Obama is too laidback about combating terrorism, while Romney is not backing down
Caricature
–Big lips and ears
–Looks very relaxed while drinking
–Obama’s relaxed image makes the viewer that much more aware of Romney’s strength
–Cartoon is critiquing both candidates’ foreign policy
Caricature
–Romney shown as Rambo figure with excessive ammo, representing aggressive foreign policy
–Obama’s pose reflects a lack of stance foreign policy
References
–Parody of “got Milk?” shirt
–Leans on Bin Laden’s capture to show his foreign policy
Summary
–Much disagreement on the meaning of the cartoon
–Several of the same techniques were identified as support for different interpretations
•Caricature of bulky, heavily armed Romney vs. thin and relaxed Obama
•Acknowledgement of “got Milk?” reference as a joke about Bin Laden’s capture
–All democrats viewed this cartoon as a critique of Romney
Coloring
–Harsh, dark background behind Romney showing anger
–White background behind Obama represents enlightenment
Caricature
–Big lips are stereotype of African American
–Comparison of bulky Romney to thin Obama represents each candidate's military support
References
–“got Milk?” shirt shows Obama’s cockiness in his strategic capture of Bin Laden, not just by brute force
–Romney’s character represents war
–Obama is too laidback about combating terrorism, while Romney is not backing down
Caricature
–Big lips and ears
–Looks very relaxed while drinking
–Obama’s relaxed image makes the viewer that much more aware of Romney’s strength
–Cartoon is critiquing both candidates’ foreign policy
Caricature
–Romney shown as Rambo figure with excessive ammo, representing aggressive foreign policy
–Obama’s pose reflects a lack of stance foreign policy
References
–Parody of “got Milk?” shirt
–Leans on Bin Laden’s capture to show his foreign policy
Summary
–Much disagreement on the meaning of the cartoon
–Several of the same techniques were identified as support for different interpretations
•Caricature of bulky, heavily armed Romney vs. thin and relaxed Obama
•Acknowledgement of “got Milk?” reference as a joke about Bin Laden’s capture
–All democrats viewed this cartoon as a critique of Romney
References
Cartoon found at: Bagley, Pat. "Rambo Romney." Evergreen Digest. Web. 02 April 2013. <http://www.evergreenedigest.org/pat-bagley-rambo-romney-mediacaglecartoonscom>.
“Pat Bagley.” The Herb Block Foundation. (2009). Web. 10 April 2013. <http://www.herbblockfoundation.org/herblock-prize-winner/71>.
Conners, Joan L. “Popular Culture in Political Cartoons: Analyzing Cartoonist Approaches.” PS: Political Science and Politics. JSTOR. 40.2 (2007): 261-265.
“Pat Bagley.” The Herb Block Foundation. (2009). Web. 10 April 2013. <http://www.herbblockfoundation.org/herblock-prize-winner/71>.
Conners, Joan L. “Popular Culture in Political Cartoons: Analyzing Cartoonist Approaches.” PS: Political Science and Politics. JSTOR. 40.2 (2007): 261-265.