Political Cartoons… ANALYZED

This cartoon depicts Nixon standing in front of a giant tomb stone stating "20,000 American Dead Since 1968" while he carries a sign that says "Secret Election-Year 'Plans to End War'".  During the 1968 presidential election, Nixon promised he had a secret plan to end the Vietnam War.  By the time 1972 (the year this cartoon was penned) rolled around, he had yet to actually propose this super secret plan.  Men were still dying everyday in Indochina and there appeared to be no steps being taken to remove them.

Following the Watergate Scandal, Nixon refused to release the White House tapes that held incriminating evidence against him.  In this cartoon, Nixon is depicted between two of said tapes holding on for dear life.  Written on the tapes (and the piece of paper so elegantly clenched between his teeth) is "I AM NOT A CROOK".  Accused of corruption in the CIA, FBI, and even the Pentagon, Nixon persisted in refusing the release of his tapes until the Supreme Court ordered him to do so, overruling his Executive Privilege.

The final cartoon depicts a scantily clad woman representing the Vietnam War (presumed to be a hooker, I believe) on the arm of a man (the Administration) who is turned to a young woman dressed in rags (U.S. Urban Needs) saying "There's money enough to support both of you… Now, doesn't that make you feel better?".  I believe the cartoon is trying to point out that the Vietnam war was getting a ridiculous amount of funding while domestic issues were getting a little bit out of hand.  Yet, the Administration sent all of their money to the war effort.