Political Cartoons
“Partial Birth Advice” (Item 1) is a political cartoon that was published by Pikes Peak Library District (CO) on August 6th, 1997. The cartoon has four panels that read left to right. The first panel pictures a man and a women watching President Bill Clinton on TV. Clinton throughout the four panels is offering advice for teenagers with unwanted pregnancies. In the last panel, Clinton holds up a piece of paper reading, “Partial-Birth Abortion,” whilst saying to the audience, “Let the Professionals Handle It!” This cartoon displays the rocky political landscape of PBA including the disparities between the Clinton administration and the American public.
“Another Coverup” (Item 2) is a political cartoon that was published in Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph Creators Syndicate, Inc. by the publisher Pikes Peak Library District on September 27, 1996. It features two figures both shoveling dirt into a pit outside the White House at night. The left figure is a woman labeled “Abortion Rights Crowd.” Whilst on the right is a man who is presumed to be President Bill Clinton. Both the woman and Clinton are burying a wealth of information labeled, “Facts on Partial-Birth Abortion.” The cartoon symbolizes the skepticism that some of the American people had regarding the information on PBA. Some people believed that Clinton and the abortion rights crowd engaged in covering up information regarding PBA to confuse the media.
“No Hard Feelings, Kid!” (Item 3) is a political cartoon that is in the Ed Gamble Cartoon digital collection from 1997. The cartoon features a doctor holding a giant mallet labeled “VETO.” The doctor says, “No hard feelings, kid!” to a small figure on the left. That figure is a tiny angel holding a clipboard that reads “Senate Bans Partial Birth Abortions.” This cartoon is in direct response to President Bill Clinton’s April 10th 1996 veto on the proposed PBA ban of 1995. The cartoon pits two characters against each other: a child angel and a doctor. It draws emotions as the angel is a small, sober looking child hoping to win over the signature of the doctor. The doctor’s nonchalant response, somewhat surprised face, and giant mallet, creates an interesting image.