Nixon Esquire image

The Nixon cover of the Esquire magazine suggests that Nixon is effeminate and hiding behind a mask of make-up after losing the previous election "partly because [his] 'five o'clock shadow made him look evil.'" (Meggs 398) It inspires doubt subliminally by inferring that he is not who he claims to be and that he needs a team of people to help him cover up his real self. It is very straightforward and does not need words to convey its meaning. It also focuses in a subtle way on the people surrounding Nixon, his campaigners and team who were enabling his mask.

This parody of the Obama "Hope" posters is both similar and different in its approach to criticizing the former presidential candidate. This image does use a word, but only one, and it is more of a visual interpretation because it copies the way the original poster says "Hope" or "Change" at the bottom. The word "Obey" is used as a graphic element in that it holds the Obama campaign logo as well, associating his campaign with a dictatorial type of leadership. The way the word changes the picture can be compared to the way the hands with the makeup change the meaning of the Nixon picture. In this image, Obama has a firm expression, which while in the normal posteer is to make him seem dedicated and determined, makes him seem a bit threatening. This image equates Obama's posters to the pictures that dictators post of themselves throughout their countries to intimidate the citizens. Though this picture is more about Obama's supporters than the man himself; it is a satirical comment on the Obama supporters that were trying to shut down opposing media during the campaign through lawsuits and intimidation, saying that their efforts are like the intimidation methods used by dictators to stamp out all opposition to their reign. Sounds harsh, but it was a crazy campaign, with some seriously crazy political support and opposition.