Click image to enlarge.
Our readers started their engines and roared off to a fast start in this week's Observer Cartoon Caption Contest, but the winner's circle only has room for one.
The winning caption:
"George, the secret to success is wrapping yourself up in a flag that some Democrats are actually fond of. "
-- submitted by John Sheppard of Charlotte.
In lieu of a loving cup and wreath, Mr. Sheppard will win our grand prize, the original cartoon art with his caption hand-lettered on it.
We again received over 200 entries, and while the captions stayed bunched in a pack for the most part, rarely touching a subject outside of NASCAR or Iraq, some did finally surge ahead for special recognition.
Our runners-up:
"Maybe your colors don't run, but mine sure do!"
--submitted by Rick Romanoff of Charlotte.
"You couldn't get France to support your plan -- but we're betting the Frances will support ours!"
submitted by Steve LaDue of Fort Mill, (referring to NASCAR's France family).
"Yes, Mr. President, I think we can get 'em to start turning right."
-- submitted by Don Killian of Mount Holly.
"Thanks, Mr. President, but I prefer the race card."
--submitted by E. Lonnie Hooks of Charlotte.
Thank you all for your ideas! Here's a sampling of the some of the other better lines that came in this week:
"Even so, your reign is more checkered than mine."
"I'm covering up a Seahawks jersey. How about you?"
"All draped up and no race to go."
"I don't know why they turn left."
"Maybe if we hadn't bought an arena, we would've had money for heat."
George, welcome to the tri-oval office."
"My tailor?...why it's House Of Humpy, of course."
"Check your coat, sir?"
"'Dress for success' means more than 1 suit!"
"I'll show you my hidden agenda if you show me yours."
If you'd like to add any of your own late captions, or join a discussion on our judges' selections, please feel free to click here or on the little blue "Comments" link found just below this post. Please visit us Monday for the next cartoon challenge.
--posted by Kevin Siers
Sirs:
This Democrat has the utmost respect for the American flag and the principles it represents. Of all the top suggestions you offered to share, I'm deeply disappointed that you chose to select the one that manages to insult half of the voting public -- and probably more than half at this point.
Posted by: Steve Turner | January 27, 2006 at 03:11 PM
Late caption: These will keep the homeless warm while they wait for the light rail.
Posted by: Dave Metzl | January 27, 2006 at 04:04 PM
Steve, don't tak the winning caption so personally. Geez. So it slams us Democrats, we can take it. However, I thought it was pretty lame compared with some of the others. I would suggest a small rewrite for the perfect caption: "I'm covering up a Seahawks jersey. What are you covering up?"
Posted by: Dre | January 27, 2006 at 04:35 PM
I find your choice of a caption for this cartoon to be insulting and completely without merit! I understand political satire and I appreciate a good cartoon even when we Democrats are the target but this caption is just a lie, mean-spirited and stupid! But of course this is right in line with the Glenn McCoy "Propaganda Panel" you now run. When will I see a "cartoon" calling all Republicans liars, thieves and bigots?? You would not dare upset the Right-Wing nut cases that constantly attack you to keep you in your place. The Observer does that very well.
Posted by: Steven Porter | January 30, 2006 at 02:20 AM
There was a documentary on John Adams on PBS a few days ago that showed our Second President asking Thomas Jefferson, the founder of the Democratic Party to show a United Front against France in the undeclared Naval War with Napoleon known as the XYZ affair. Seeing that his refusal would cause political damage to Adams and his Federalists favorable to the Democratic-Republican party(today's Democrats), Jefferson refused to help end the War. Nothin has changed in 200 years. The Democrats put Party ahead of Country.
Posted by: John Sheppard | February 25, 2006 at 11:35 PM