Life — September 28, 1916 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page contains satirical political content from *Life* magazine. The top section offers "Innocuous Campaign Slogans for Innocent Candidates"—generic phrases like "Right is might" and "Practice makes perfect" intended for politicians seeking safe, non-controversial messaging. The main illustration depicts a fiancée showing her grandfather's portrait to her boyfriend, with the caption suggesting the grandfather was "unrivaled in debate" but hopes his legacy "isn't hereditary"—a joke about political families and whether debating talent passes through generations. Below, the section "Are There Democrats Enough?" questions whether genuine democrats exist in the country, critiquing both Republicans and Democrats. The dialogue between Hokus and Pokus follows, using classical comic-dialogue format to mock human nature and romantic selection. The content reflects early-20th-century American political skepticism and satirical commentary on campaign rhetoric.