Week in Cartoons

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

There are many reasons to appreciate what political cartoonists can do in images what columnists struggle to put in words. Here's a look of some of the Obama-themed cartoons that have appeared in the last two weeks.

Starting chronologically, it seems that a common theme struck many cartoonists following the Jan. 20 inauguration.

It's humorous to already see First Lady Michelle Obama playing such a cynical role when it comes to her inspiring husband.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Apparently this particular inauguration scene wasn't captured in CNN's Photosynth. Although I wonder whether Lincoln realizes that his digital camera is either faulty or strangely backwards.

Out of curiosity, I wonder how the Washington memorial counterpart decided to capture that moment in our history, given that it doesn't have convenient opposable thumbs.

But after 12:01 p.m., the Obama administration truly began, as did another topic of discussion for the cartoonist pen.

Cagle Cartoons

Less-than-welcoming welcome presents were also a common trend among this batch of cartoons. Depictions ranged from the Oval Office stuffed full like an eight-year-old's cluttered toy closet, or a simple Bush-Cheney portrait stuffed in Obama's desk trash can.

Put succinctly: welcome to the White House, Mr. President.

Another trend worth noting is the emerging caricature for our new president. Just as former president George W. Bush grew (or shrunk) into his small, big-eared cartoon counterpart, President Obama seems to be gaining an increasingly longer chin.

But an administration's beginnings, regardless of how charmed, are never immune to hiccups and scandal.

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This drama unfolded with one unfiled tax after another. According to this cartoonist, each was an equivalent of a small explosion.

Strange as it is, I'm inclined to agree with him.

Although I'm equally disappointed in the sudden appearance of a certain Bill from behind our new secretary of state.

Perhaps as a reflection of how much it occupied the air waves, the drawing pen spent a lot of time on the administration's cabinet blunders.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Although this particular cartoon arguably puts President Obama in a more favorable light regarding the increasingly sticky situation.

It's not safe to say whether the departed cabinet nominees fled or exploded in this particular scene.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Nothing is quite as sickeningly sweet as cartoonists evoking party symbols.

But it's strange how the GOP elephant currently seems to fit the role of "stubborn ass" more than the Democrat Party's animal representation.

In terms of favorable representation of President Obama, this cartoon won the largest cake. Even the long chin is not present.

But The Chin returns with a vengeance once one cartoonist remembers the promises of the campaign, but also the impatience of the American people.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

However, it's nice to see Uncle Sam smiling again, even if he's playing the equivalent role of the "are we there yet?" child in a minivan backseat.

On a note a interest, apparently there's a current thought that the Oval Office lacks a computer. From my previous White House visits, I can confirm this as true.

Unless there's one hidden somewhere, just as Uncle Sam is apparently stashed away in an Oval Office closet.

Cagle Cartoons

This one befuddled me. On one hand, it could considered favorable to President Obama in terms of openly admitting mistakes. On the other, we're all delicately reminded that the administration has only existed for two weeks.

Apparently, a Roman Empire soldier was a loyal member of the Bush cabinet. Unless, of course, that character is a thinly-veiled Cheney caricature that I know little about.

In the coming future, I'll make it a habit of bringing in political cartoons to this blog. However, an entry much like this should not be expected for at least two more weeks.

I wait with bated breath until then, to see what our artistically-talented journalists create.