The cover has MAJOR problem as political satire. usually with a Political Satire cartoon, the artist tries to exaggerate something that is based in the truth. For example, Obama has been portrayed as arrogant and elitist(things I don't believe are true), but a cartoon exaggerating these aspects of Senator obama would be totally fair game. This cartoon serves to exaggerate and play up things that are NOT TRUE about the Obamas. That he is a muslim, that he is beholden to Bin'laden, that his wife is a 60's style radical angry black woman. In my opinion this is where the cartoon goes WAY over the line.
What's true is...people don't know Obama...they believe many things that caricature depicts...and the caricature takes over the top - which
is satire: the flag burning - Obama's issue with the flag pin and anti-American rhetoric w/ Wright, Michelle. Picture of Osama Bin Laden - Obama's name and connection to domestic terrorists and getting endorsements from the likes of Farrakahn and Hamas. Michelle's militantism - the Fatigues, AK47 and combat boots, 60's Afro. The now famous "Fist Bump" = the Fist Bump. Muslim debate - Obama in African garb.
Everything The New Yorker depicted has some truth to it...but they take it over into Satire to be provocative.
I don't think even the most simplistic mind is going to think Michelle Obama is an AK47 toting militant or Obama puts pictures of Osama Bin Laden in his living room while burning the American flag...what they will get is reminded of the impression of is all the things the issues the New Yorker is effectively satirizing...The simpliest mind will be asking themselves do I believe Obama was a muslim? And why was he associated with so and so...and were anti-American remarks of his Pastor reflective of Obama's nature?
That's why Obama is offended. Even though the cover is clearly a perfect satire of the things people discuss in relation to him, the satire itself
doesn't clear up the questions and make the viewer feel silly about the questions...if anything it makes you ask more.