Life — July 26, 1928 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This Will Rogers satire mocks the 1928 U.S. presidential campaign, specifically targeting the competing parties' inconsistency on Prohibition. Rogers critiques both Democrats and Republicans for trying to simultaneously appeal to "wet" (anti-Prohibition) and "dry" (pro-Prohibition) voters—an impossible political balancing act. The comic panels show Smith and Hoover (the Democratic and Republican nominees) being notified of their presidential nominations. Rogers's point: both candidates must eventually choose a clear position on alcohol rather than offering contradictory statements to different audiences. The satire highlights how Prohibition had become a divisive political issue where candidates couldn't honestly address voters' genuine concerns without alienating crucial voting blocs.