Final Part 2.2

4. The 1968 Nixon cover of Esquire undermines the credibility of a contemporary political figure through the use of visual, rather than verbal, associations. Examine images of the 2008 election campaign and offer an example of a similar approach -- an image of Obama, McCain, Palin or Hillary Clinton that makes a powerful visual statement that undermines their campaign or image. Compare and contrast with the Nixon example. 

This Esquire cover of Nixon in 1968 sought to undermine his reputation and credibility. Based solely on the visual images one can quickly determine the message the magazine was trying to get across. The cover portrays Nixon as someone who can't do anything without a little help of some cover-up. He has a team surrounding him that are always there to make him look better than what he really is. By wearing make-up and being made-up, the public gets the idea that he does is put on a facade. 

These political attacks on candidates have continued through the years and were present during the 2008 political campaign. During this election candidates were attacked from left and right for numerous reasons. One of the favorites to attack was Sarah Palin. After holding the position of governor of Alaska, she was nominated to run for the Republican vice-president nominee. Many people doubted he ability to handle the position and they attacked her for every move she made. Since she was from Alaska, she was often associated with the rugged lifestyle that included hunting and fishing. However, there was also the simple fact that she was a woman. The cartoon below mocks Palin's identity--- she is woman running for a (traditionally) male's position. The helmet and gun make her look tough and strong, but she's still a woman in a dress holding a baby. Even without the bubble quotes to the side, the viewer still gets this message from just the image. 

This other image below mocks Palin's capabilities, both as current governor and future president, in foreign policy. After her infamous interview (check it out here!), she was criticized that she doesn't know what she's doing and what she will be getting into. Many claimed that she has no actual experience in foreign policy, but because she is in close proximity to two foreign countries she believes she does. The image below takes this idea a step further. They portray as Palin believing she can do anything if she has the tiniest experience (or proximity) to it--- in this case she's an astronaut because she can see the moon. This image does have accompanying text, but if someone is familiar with the interview above I think they will be able to associate the image and interview together. 

Lastly I also found this image of Bill clinton New York Magazine. This was a direct attack on Bill Clinton's masculinity when there was talk that Hilary Clinton would run for president. If elected Hilary Clinton would have been the first female president, and instead of a First Lady there would have been a First Man. For the first time it would be a male in the backseat taking the role a woman would traditionally fill. In this image Bill Clinton's face has been photoshopped onto the body of a woman making him look like... a woman. It's so simple, but it completely undermines Bill Clinton's masculinity. He is not portrayed as a man would be (in a clean suit with tie), but rather dressed up in a red dress and pearls like many First Ladies of the past have been.