convention

Sacramento Review

Over the past few days I gathered in Sacramento with editorial cartoonist colleagues at the annual conference of the AAEC (Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.) How wonderful it was to get together with old friends and make new ones.

Beyond the collegial atmosphere found in the cocktail lounges, there was a packed schedule of presentations from across the editorial cartoon spectrum.  Our friends in New Zealand were in full force led by Kiwi powerhouse Sharon Murdoch, and backed up by Rod Emmerson, Nigel Buchanan, and Toby Morris.

I turned 50 during the convention, and was presented this wonderful caricature drawn by the great Brian Gable of the Globe & Mail. It was followed by a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday by convention attendees!

We Canadians took to the podium, first by our godfather, Terry Mosher AKA Aislin, who extolled the virtues of the slate of Canuck cartoonists and our perspectives of the U.S.A. satirizing in the era of Donald Trump.

Yours truly, alongside ACC (Association of Canadian Cartoonists) President Wes Tyrell, presented a short documentary praising the importance of local cartoons. We included a slideshow featuring the need for regional cartoons, and as an example, the recent repeal of the sex-ed curriculum in Ontario was highlighted.

Ward Sutton, the true man behind the Onion’s parody editorial cartoonist Stan Kelly had the audience rolling with laughter with his genius cartoons and his rise to stardom.

Another highlight was a presentation entitled, “Evil Editors & Pandering Publishers”, by Rob Rogers, formerly of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The 25 year veteran of that newspaper was unceremoniously terminated after he refused to water down his criticism of the Trump administration. A series of his cartoons were spiked by editors leading to an ugly divorce and an insulting severance package. Rob, standing by his principles, has been suffering considerably, and while he knows the newspaper’s brand has received damage, he leaves many friends still working in the newsroom whom he wishes no ill-will.

A very emotional slide-show was presented by California graphic novel cartoonist Brian Fies who chronicled the tragedy of his home burning down during one of that state’s horrendous brush fires. “A Fire Story” is a compelling short documentary which won an Emmy Award. As Brian stated to our gathering, “it’s great to win an Emmy, but I’d rather have my old house back.”

AWARDS

Nicaraguan cartoonist Pedro Molina was presented with the Courage in Cartooning Award, on behalf of the CRNI (Cartoonists Rights Network International) by Malaysian editorial cartoonist Zunar. The Locher Award for aspiring editorial cartoonist went to the talented Charis Jackson Barrios of NYC. In recognition of those whose cartoons are rejected by editors, a competition ensues among members for the Golden Spike Award. This years’ recipient was Rob Rogers, for obvious reasons, and was awarded a giant golden spike. This year an inaugural award called “the Gable”, was issued by the ACC to an American cartoonist who embodies the most Canadian qualities in terms of world outlook. The 2018 recognition goes to Washington Post cartoonist Ann Telnaes.  

The icing on the cake at the closing gala at this extraordinary convention was being awarded the 2018 George Townsend Award, or “Townsie”. Since 2015, the Association of Canadian Cartoonists has presented the George Townsend Award, named after the first Canadian cartoonist, to two members (one English, another French) of the association it deems to have created the best drawing of the year. I was presented this award for a cartoon I drew February 3, 2017, commenting on the saturation of news related to President Donald Trump. What a huge honour for which I am truly humbled.

Graeme MacKay and ACC President Wes Tyrell at the awards ceremony

Big thanks goes to my friend, and the host of this convention, Jack Ohman, the very talented editorial cartoonist at the Sacramento Bee (also the 2016 Pulitzer Prize winner!)  Much of the pull to bring our Canadian bodies down to the California capital was due to his charm, but also to the dynamic enthusiasm of Canada’s Association President Wes Tyrell, whose leadership has energized our group in such difficult times facing our craft. A big tip of the hat goes to these two gentlemen, and we look forward to the next joint gathering of our two associations in Ottawa in 2020.

Thursday July 28, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday July 28, 2016 Barack Obama to make case for Hillary Clinton, his legacy President Barack Obama's three Democratic convention speeches have, in succession, launched his national career, thrust him into the Oval Office and secured him a second term. On Wednesday, he'll work during his fourth marquee convention address to ensure those earlier efforts weren't for naught. In his prime-time pitch for Hillary Clinton, and during a heavy campaign schedule this fall, Obama plans to argue not only for the Democratic nominee, but for the progressive policies that he's spent the last eight years enacting -- an agenda that will depend largely on his successor to maintain. His message, according to those helping him prepare for the speech: Don't flush everything away with Donald Trump. Obama plans to draw on his long and complicated relationship with Clinton, which began as a rivalry but has evolved into what the pair hopes can become the first elected Democrat-to-Democrat presidential transition in modern history. In pre-convention interviews, Obama has been frank about his relationship with Clinton, admitting they aren't "bosom buddies.Ó "We don't go vacationing together," Obama said during a CBS interview Sunday. "I think that I've got a pretty clear-eyed sense of both her strengths and her weaknesses. And what I would say would be that this is somebody who knows as much about domestic and foreign policy as anybody.Ó "She's not always flashy. And there are better speech-makers," he said. "But she knows her stuff.Ó Many top Republicans skipped their party's convention last week, fearing links to Trump. But Democratic convention organizers had a wealth of willing speakers, programming prime-time speeches from high-profile and well-liked Democrats like Obama, Vice President Joe Biden (who also speaks Wednesday), first lady Michelle Obama, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth War

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 28, 2016

Barack Obama to make case for Hillary Clinton, his legacy

President Barack Obama’s three Democratic convention speeches have, in succession, launched his national career, thrust him into the Oval Office and secured him a second term. On Wednesday, he’ll work during his fourth marquee convention address to ensure those earlier efforts weren’t for naught.

Wednesday Night live sketch of DNC2016

Wednesday Night live sketch of DNC2016

In his prime-time pitch for Hillary Clinton, and during a heavy campaign schedule this fall, Obama plans to argue not only for the Democratic nominee, but for the progressive policies that he’s spent the last eight years enacting — an agenda that will depend largely on his successor to maintain.

His message, according to those helping him prepare for the speech: Don’t flush everything away with Donald Trump.

Obama plans to draw on his long and complicated relationship with Clinton, which began as a rivalry but has evolved into what the pair hopes can become the first elected Democrat-to-Democrat presidential transition in modern history.

In pre-convention interviews, Obama has been frank about his relationship with Clinton, admitting they aren’t “bosom buddies.”

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday January 29, 2008 Bill Clinton the Albatross The message from South Carolina Democrats last Saturday could not have been clearer: Bill Clinton is on the verge of ruiningÊhis wife's campaign. Or even if she survives the primary, she has already been weakened for November and the general election, especially if theÊRepublicans nominate John McCain. If you think that verdict is too harsh, Clinton got just over 25 percent of the vote. Yes, Barack Obama had the advantage of aÊhuge African-American vote, but her showing was still dismal. The former two-term president was all over the Palmetto State, blistering Obama and the press for their treatment of his wife. With the Clintons, when they are wrong, it is always someone else's fault, never theirs. Bill Clinton is making George H.W. Bush and other former presidents look good. The elder Bush campaigned for his son, butÊpositively and not ripping Al Gore or John Kerry. Other former presidents of both parties have been restrained and largelyÊremained on the sidelines. But not Bill Clinton. A group of 23 knowledgeable Democrats gathered last Saturday. The group was divided in support for Clinton, Obama, andÊJohn Edwards. Only one person was not highly critical of Bill Clinton's performance; some were rather vociferous about it. (Source: US News and World Report)Êhttp://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/mashek/2008/01/28/bill-clinton-the-albatross USA, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, dragon, monster, Democratic, Democrat, election

January 29, 2008 – Obama vs. a two-headed monster

“We don’t go vacationing together,” Obama said during a CBS interview Sunday. “I think that I’ve got a pretty clear-eyed sense of both her strengths and her weaknesses. And what I would say would be that this is somebody who knows as much about domestic and foreign policy as anybody.”

“She’s not always flashy. And there are better speech-makers,” he said. “But she knows her stuff.”

Bill Clinton at the 2016 DNC

Bill Clinton at the 2016 DNC

Many top Republicans skipped their party’s convention last week, fearing links to Trump. But Democratic convention organizers had a wealth of willing speakers, programming prime-time speeches from high-profile and well-liked Democrats like Obama, Vice President Joe Biden (who also speaks Wednesday), first lady Michelle Obama, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

President George W. Bush skipped his party’s 2008 meeting and wasn’t a major presence on the campaign trail for Sen. John McCain. Obama, conversely, is expected to spend most of October on the campaign trail for Clinton, working to encourage the coalition of voters — formed of young people and minorities — to vote this time around.

An ABC News/Washington Post poll this month showed Obama’s approval at 56% — the highest point since early in his first term. (Source: CNN)

 

Friday July 22, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday July 22, 2016 Is the Trump family AmericaÕs next political dynasty? The glaring absence of prominent Republicans from the party's convention in Cleveland raised questions about who would be filling the speaking slots in support of Donald Trump. But, confident as ever, the New York billionaire had it covered. Waiting in the wings were a host of family members willing to get on stage. Mr Trump's third wife Melania dominated the headlines after sections of her speech mimicked an address given by Michelle Obama - something Trump's campaign denied for more than a day before a Trump staffer took responsibility for "including some of the phrasing"Êused by Ms Obama.Ê Now with successful appearances from the likes of Donald Trump Jr, his eldest son, and anticipation ahead of Ivanka Trump's speech on Thursday, many commentators have been asking whether Mr Trump's children could also follow him into politics. Presentations by Donald Jr along with Tiffany, Eric and Ivanka Trump certainly help to "humanise" the candidate, political scientist Larry Sabato told the BBC. But it should come as no surprise that the children are willing to speak out to support their father, he added. The children of political candidates have long spoken at conventions, and many even go on to take an active role in politics. But the Trumps are "remarkable" because the sheer number of family members giving evening speeches - more than any past political family, including the Kennedys, the Clintons, and the Romneys, Mr Sabato said. The high-profile appearances also highlight a historical pattern in American politics. "We may be a democracy but we seem to like oligarchy," he added. (Source: BBC)Êhttp://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36852604 USA, United States, election, Republican, RNC, convention, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Baron Trump, Mike Pence, Ted Cruz, Godfather

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday July 22, 2016

Is the Trump family America’s next political dynasty?

The glaring absence of prominent Republicans from the party’s convention in Cleveland raised questions about who would be filling the speaking slots in support of Donald Trump.

But, confident as ever, the New York billionaire had it covered. Waiting in the wings were a host of family members willing to get on stage.

Live Sketch - Acceptance Night

Live Sketch – Acceptance Night

Mr Trump’s third wife Melania dominated the headlines after sections of her speech mimicked an address given by Michelle Obama – something Trump’s campaign denied for more than a day before a Trump staffer took responsibility for “including some of the phrasing” used by Ms Obama.

Now with successful appearances from the likes of Donald Trump Jr, his eldest son, and anticipation ahead of Ivanka Trump’s speech on Thursday, many commentators have been asking whether Mr Trump’s children could also follow him into politics.

Presentations by Donald Jr along with Tiffany, Eric and Ivanka Trump certainly help to “humanise” the candidate, political scientist Larry Sabato told the BBC.

But it should come as no surprise that the children are willing to speak out to support their father, he added.

Donald Trump

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The children of political candidates have long spoken at conventions, and many even go on to take an active role in politics.

But the Trumps are “remarkable” because the sheer number of family members giving evening speeches – more than any past political family, including the Kennedys, the Clintons, and the Romneys, Mr Sabato said.

The high-profile appearances also highlight a historical pattern in American politics. “We may be a democracy but we seem to like oligarchy,” he added. (Source: BBC)

Wednesday July 20, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday July 20, 2016 RNC official cites 'My Little Pony' to defend Melania Trump Who said it: Melania Trump or Twilight Sparkle from "My Little Pony"? After Trump's controversial speech from the first night of the Republican National Convention that has some accusing the Trump campaign of plagiarizing passages from a speech by first lady Michelle Obama in 2008, Republican National Convention chief strategist Sean Spicer said the lines being discussed are common phrases. "We're talking about 70 words, three passages," Spicer told Wolf Blitzer on CNN Tuesday. "Melania Trump said, 'the strength of your dreams and willingness to work for them.' Twilight Sparkle from 'My Little Pony' said, 'This is your dream. Anything you can do in your dreams, you can do now,' " Spicer said. He also compared passages of Trump's speech with phrases from musicians John Legend and Kid Rock. "I mean if we want to take a bunch of phrases and run them through a Google and say, 'Hey, who else has said them,' I can do that in five minutes," Spicer said. "And that's what this is." The Trump campaign announced it doesn't plan to fire anybody over the allegations. Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort also addressed the controversy on CNN Tuesday morning. "There's no cribbing of Michelle Obama's speech. These were common words and values. She cares about her family," Manafort said. "To think that she'd be cribbing Michelle Obama's words is crazy.Ó (Source: CNN)Êhttp://www.cnn.com/2016/07/19/politics/sean-spicer-melania-trump-my-little-pony/index.html USA, politics, United States, republican, GOP, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, RNC, convention, Cleveland, Michelle Obama

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 20, 2016

RNC official cites ‘My Little Pony’ to defend Melania Trump

Who said it: Melania Trump or Twilight Sparkle from “My Little Pony”?

After Trump’s controversial speech from the first night of the Republican National Convention that has some accusing the Trump campaign of plagiarizing passages from a speech by first lady Michelle Obama in 2008, Republican National Convention chief strategist Sean Spicer said the lines being discussed are common phrases.

“We’re talking about 70 words, three passages,” Spicer told Wolf Blitzer on CNN Tuesday.

Donald Trump. Colour illustration by Graeme MacKay (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). caricature, Donald Trump, apprentice, USA, politics, GOP, republican, boxer, billionaire, The Donald, celebrity

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“Melania Trump said, ‘the strength of your dreams and willingness to work for them.’ Twilight Sparkle from ‘My Little Pony’ said, ‘This is your dream. Anything you can do in your dreams, you can do now,’ ” Spicer said.

He also compared passages of Trump’s speech with phrases from musicians John Legend and Kid Rock.

Wed. night live sketch of 2016 RNC

Wed. night live sketch of 2016 RNC

“I mean if we want to take a bunch of phrases and run them through a Google and say, ‘Hey, who else has said them,’ I can do that in five minutes,” Spicer said. “And that’s what this is.”

The Trump campaign announced it doesn’t plan to fire anybody over the allegations.

Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort also addressed the controversy on CNN Tuesday morning.

“There’s no cribbing of Michelle Obama’s speech. These were common words and values. She cares about her family,” Manafort said. “To think that she’d be cribbing Michelle Obama’s words is crazy.” (Source: CNN)