Is Nothing Sacred? Magazine Covers from Election 2008

by Leticia Garcia

Just three weeks after the election, the images of president elect Barack Obama have not stopped appearing on magazine covers. Without a doubt, the frequency of political figures on covers have not changed since modern magazines were conceived, however it is the content that especially stood out this year. Since this has been most controversial presidential election in history, it is expected that the covers during this election would stand out to reflect the nation’s anticipation. We have seen the presidential candidates in so many different depictions ranging from Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama lounging naked on the cover of Radar to depicting Obama as a Superhero on Rolling Stone. With such bold magazine covers in print, the race became a media popularity contest with Barack Obama gaining the majority of the covers and, thus, the most outstanding characterizations.

Not only did the media take a lot of liberties with magazines this year, they also got into some pretty deep water this past July. The New Yorker’s July issue depicts in cartoon satire of Barack and Michelle Obama as Islamic terrorists in the Oval office with Osama bin Laden’s picture in the background. During the press release illustrator, Barry Blitt, insists that this "satirizes the use of scare tactics and misinformation in the Presidential election to derail Barack Obama's campaign." As a satire this cover goes beyond the usual political satirical realm to a completely slanderous level with shocked reactions from the Obama campaign and supporters alike. Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton called it “tasteless and offensive.” In such a media-driven campaign and the boldly opinionated covers that followed, it becomes a question as to how much freedom the publication media should get.

Since the start of the contemporary magazine, presidential candidates have taken the spotlight. Although not always shown in the most favorable light, these covers usually are mild and neutral. If the cover was “controversial” at best, it was with mild satirical drawings sometime with political party mascots in the background. Never was Franklin D. Roosevelt on the cover with a burning an American flag or naked. This was a first year for candidates to be depicted as a movie character, from Men in Black to Robert Neville from I Am Legend. Admittedly they portray such an obvious portrait of our society’s craving for an elaborate characterization behind a political figure.
There have always been solid sales with presidential covers, there have been connections drawn with print media coverage and election results.

According to Dr. Stuart Crane the next president will be the one with the most covers in the months leading up to the election. In the presidential election this year Obama was on the cover of Time alone 7 times versus McCain who only held 5 Time covers. So, if the number of magazine covers reflects the popularity of a candidate, then the characterization worth a thousand words. With such elaborate characterizations of Obama the presidency was a show of characters the population wanted from a candidate.

With an injured current economic standing, the presidential candidate cannot just be an image on the cover, but rather reflect a persona that will allow change. On the cover of Rolling Stone, Obama is standing at attention with a white aura surrounding him. Using the language of superheroes the cover gives the audience the feeling that he can indestructible and powerful. Post election Obama’s covers have become an homage to the history of powerful presidents. With Obama on the cover exactly as Franklin D. Roosevelt, there is hope for this president elects future. In reflecting an the recent covers, one cannot just hope that they will continue to be in a positive light and continue to inspire the hope of the country.