Life — October 30, 1924 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Satire: 1920s Presidential Candidates This *Life* magazine page satirizes three political figures from the 1920 presidential election era: **Calvin Coolidge** (top left): Mocked for his taciturn nature—the text jokes he could express complex ideas simply by saying "No" or "Yes," referencing his reputation for extreme quietness. **John William Davis** (bottom left): A Democratic politician depicted as constantly campaigning across states, criticized for association with corruption and the Ku Klux Klan ("Ku Klux"). **Robert Marion La Follette** (top right): A Progressive/reformer shown as a farmer-advocate fighting trusts, endorsed by Samuel Gompers (labor leader). The caricatures exaggerate their distinctive physical features typical of period political cartooning. The satire targets each figure's perceived weaknesses or public personas during this competitive election cycle.