Life — July 5, 1928 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation of the Cartoon This satirical piece by Will Rogers mocks the 1928 Democratic and Republican conventions' vice-presidential nomination process. The main cartoon shows a candidate literally "knee-deep in applesauce"—drowning in empty political rhetoric. Rogers describes how a largely unknown nominee received telegrams of support from party leaders, only to have another delegate demand his withdrawal in favor of Senator Curtis. The nominee then fabricated a gracious withdrawal speech for publicity purposes. The bottom cartoon depicts the chaotic nomination process as a circus—with figures herding an elephant (the Republican symbol) toward "Summer Quarters," suggesting the political machinery was merely moving candidates around for show rather than serious deliberation. The satire targets the hollowness and cynicism of party politics and manufactured enthusiasm.