Watch New Yorker editor David Remnick defend the magazines controversial cover.
(CNN) – Amid widespread criticism over The New Yorker cover illustration that portrays Barack Obama in Muslim garb and wife Michelle Obama as a gun-toting militant, the publication's editor told CNN Monday he doesn't regret approving the use of the controversial image.
Watch: Remnick on The Situation Room
David Remnick, the longtime editor of the highly-regarded publication, said he believes the ironic intent of the illustration will be clear to most Americans.
"The idea is to attack lies and misconceptions and distortions about the Obamas, and their background and their politics. We've heard all of this nonsense about how they're supposedly insufficiently patriotic, or soft on terrorism," he said. "That somehow the fist bump is something that it's not. And we try to put all of these images in one cover, and to satirize and shine a really harsh light on something that could be incredibly damaging."
The cover - which shows the pair in the Oval Office, with an American flag burning and a picture of Osama bin Laden - has been widely criticized by Republicans and Democrats alike. On Sunday evening Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton called it "tasteless and offensive." John McCain said Monday it is "totally inappropriate."
Bernard Parks, a California city council member and supporter of Barack Obama, told CNN he is calling for a boycott of the liberal-leaning magazine.
From CNN Politics
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The New Yorker has a right to print a magazine with that piece of tripe for a cover, but the rest of us (including Senator Obama if he chooses) have a right to voice our opinion of it. It offends on every level, and the New Yorker should be ashamed for printing it. Just because you have a right to use poor taste and judgement doesn't mean you are required to exercise it.
There are people who believe Senator McCain's experience in Vietnam could be satirized by a cover with him dropping bombs on helpless women and children. As someone who supports Senator Obama, I say that cover would be as out of place as this one is.
After seeing the cover of the new yorker i became sick to my stomach. there are alot of stupid people who will believe that cover.
I am wondering if the next cover will be of John McCain whispering top secret information to the Viet Cong as he is waving goodbye to the other POW's at the Hanoi Hilton?? hmmmmm that would be some good satire.
The difference between Colbert/Stewert is that they deal their commentary in the form of sarcasm and obvious exaggeration. The New Yorker showed stuff that people have said, but didn't make fun of the other side in the form of perhaps having McCain in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank. If he didn't directly mean to offend anybody, then put McCain on next month's cover.
The New Yorker will have to apologize–there is no two ways about it.
This magazine should mark July 14th as being the worst day in their history.
TtHIS WAS PURE CRUDE , RAW JOURNALISM.
OBAMA IS NOT WHINNING. HE IS APPAULD LIKE MANY OF US !
I LIKE CAPT. SMASH'S IIDEA.
RUN THAT ON YOUR NEXT COPY NEW YORKER.
Its too easy to pull the inherent racism and sexism out of people. You can read it above. I respect New Yorker's right to do it, but it totally backfired. People these days just arent smart enough.
I'll never understand when people make mean statements or jokes and then they say the subject of that statement or joke needs to "lighten up". What about the magazine, do they have any responsibility? I thought not.
If Obama thinks that he is not going to be satired as a candidate, or as President, he's got another thing coming.
Obama's people are acting like morons. Is everyone who opposes Obama a racist?
Here is to Freedom of Speech!
I guess poor little Obama met his match with the New Yorker, he used media to hurt Hillary, but when it is his turn, he can't take it. This is how you know that Hillary IS the right MAN for the Job! Go Hillary!
Once again, the New Yorker got it wrong.
Do not dwell on such an idiotic subject. Move on, Barack Obama has run a respectable campaign.
Obama 08
David you got it wrong. Put a picture of your mother on the cover, so we can talk about her. Michelle has two kids, what a stupid image for her kids to see there mother with bullets and guns.
You do know what the controvosy is – your attempt at satire turned into a smea that disgusted more people than you can begin to imagine. shame on you for approving this racist filth.
I cannot believe the hateful comments on this blog. There is still such a thing as good journalism, and this is the lowest of the low. Whatever is wrong with America. What a frightening nation you have become.
It's satire and the article points out to the misconceptions some people have of him. The problem is obama brought this on himself and he's been whining like a baby at every single thing that he is the problem. He's just not the right candidate. I hope the superdelegates come to their senses at the convention. Nothing is cast in stone yet.
OMG watch out if anyone says anything Obama will play the race card. What a whiner Obama is. I hate to think we have to put up with him whining for 4 years. He is a follower not a leader. He is actually more like Bush than McCain with his arrogant elitist attitude.
I think Obama needs to trade that soft skin of his for some thicker rougher skin. I mean the man wont even cross his hart for the "Pledge of Allegiance" this act should speak volumes to all of us as "Americans". He isn't on our side he is not American. It's a sad, sad day when a wanna be hopeful president is hurt by a picture. Not just hurt but out raged and McCain he should expect to be next and he more than likely he will be, will he cry too
God I hope not .
Any candidate should expect this, it's happened every election, it's our freedom that is what makes AMERICA grand, beautiful and FREE, we will keep it that way it's the dream and the promise it's the life I love.
So don't be soft. Is this what America is, are we a bunch of softy, cry babies that let some words or a cartoon hurt our little feelings. Not me what about you?
It is tasteless...but something I would totally expect from NY. Wanna bet it will be in an ad somewhere in one of those "battleground" states where the populous is not able to decipher "the ironic intent of the illustration".
The New Yorker is pulling up the old racist tactics that will not work. Barack is better than the smear campaign that's online right now. It makes me sick that a person would do such a thing.
There is no humour in the New Yorker cover. It is not cool either. The weirdest thing of all is that there are still some people who believe Obama, who claims he is a Christian, may be a muslim. This is ignornace of the worst order. Where in the world a muslim person claims he/she is a Christian and go to Church? I think the 12% who think so must be living on another planet. Let alone for a muslim person to claim he is a Christian, those who convert from muslim to christian cannot survive a day among their community. Alas, few Americans still think about something that defies all realities in the rest of the world may be true. In other parts of the world, a muslim who dare to claim he is a christian commits the worst sin and blasphemy . Are we this ignorant about the rest of the world or just play the cheapest politics?
In remembrance to all Americans, get a grip, get your sense of humor back and for goodness sakes quit taking yourselves and your candidates so seriously to point of "worshipping them" it's unrealistic and no matter who gets in the President's office come January, there will just be more of this and many others
I guess the First Amendment only works for Liberals when it is supporting them or tearing down people who disagree with them. Ha ha ha.
It was funny. Get over it.
You can't escape your DNA... Mr Obama...
The cover is not satire. It is just plain crude, rude, and reprehensible.