Political Cartoons

With November sixth quickly approaching, the general public is urgently predicting, debating, and cursing the outcome of the presidential election. One hot topic of this election is the controversial voter identification laws that have been passed in several states, requiring prospective voters to show some sort of legal identification. As of October 2012, thirty states have adopted these laws in some form. The debate has spiked recently because of the upcoming election. Much of the division in opinions about this law is between Democrats and Republicans, so the opposing candidates naturally disagree. Dave Granlund, a cartoonist for the New York Times and Chicago Tribune, argues that these laws hinder legal voters; cartoonist Michael Ramirez, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, asserts that the voter I.D. laws protect against voter fraud. Whereas Granlund’s comic “Voter I.D. laws” relies on metaphorical representation, Ramirez’s cartoon “Picture ID Needed” relates and compares similar laws to more effectively demonstrate that requiring voter identification is a logical step to preserving democracy.

Granlund depicts a maze named “New Voter I.D. Laws” into which an elderly couple is entering, looking slightly confused. Making their way through the maze are several dozen more citizens, all facing different directions and struggling to find the end where they can “Vote Here.” Although Granlund’s comparison of the new laws to a maze seems rational, it does not give any specific details. The audience does not know exactly why or how the new laws create an obstacle to voters. By being so general, Granlund loses credibility with his audience and doesn’t give them a reason to convert to his side. By employing ethos or logos, this artist would have a far greater impact on his audience.

On the other hand, Ramirez’s cartoon skillfully influences the reader through comparison and exemplification. He lists “Important Things You Need a Picture I.D. For” and illustrates seven objects. These objects represent a situation in which a picture I.D. is required, such as buying alcohol or cashing a check. The final picture is a tombstone for a “potential voter” and the caption reads, “…but not to vote for the most powerful man in the world,” meaning the president of the United States. Ramirez clearly gives examples of similar laws that are generally accepted and then demonstrates how they relate to the voter identification laws. His logic may sway the audience of this cartoon with reasoning and examples of related cases.

Dave Granlund and Michael Ramirez both try to use comparison to voice their opinion, although Granlund uses a metaphor while Ramirez shows relationships between common ideas. The two artists also use realistic representations instead of a more stylistic approach, such as a cartoon containing exaggerated body parts or objects. However, Michael Ramirez undoubtedly has a greater effect on his audience through his use of exemplification and logos. For readers of his cartoons, then, there is one less topic to discuss before election day.