Life, 1928-09-06 · page 38 of 44
Life — September 6, 1928 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine page satirizes Will Rogers' humorous 1928 presidential candidacy through editorial commentary. The main cartoon depicts Rogers in a boat labeled "The Flavor" advertising Wrigley's gum—a visual pun equating his campaign to commercial product marketing. The accompanying editorials argue Rogers offers genuine political insight despite (or through) his humor. They reference his "Party Opposed to Bunk" platform, suggesting both major parties' candidates—likely Herbert Hoover and Al Smith—will abandon campaign promises of civility once voting begins. The editors praise Rogers' common sense while acknowledging he doesn't expect serious support. They predict mud-slinging will inevitable replace "high plane" politics, validating Rogers' cynical observations about American democracy. The reprinted endorsement from Henry Ford adds credibility, claiming Rogers' candidacy is "no joke"—it represents legitimate political commentary wrapped in entertainment. The page contrasts Rogers' satirical truth-telling against conventional politicians' empty promises.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
$70.00. Every instrument guaranteed. cular No, Tland Holl List matted free. Rest, relaxation, recreation, —WRIGLEY’S! Just the touch of refreshment and lasting good taste that makes any outing perfect. The Musical Sensation ‘ACCORDEON: Played by Music Rolls play isle or Notes TREASURE SALES COMPANY 1690 BOSTON ROAD, NEW YORK tw Rent a small car +++ $50.00 week up... see twice as much. Motor Map 81. UTO SERVICE ABROAD PARTOUT TOURING Inc 55 FIM AVE. NEW WORK CITY r can 8. 00, $35.00, Interesiing Cir- New York’s Newest Hotel) The Pircradilly 227 West 45th Street At B’way—New York Adjacent to Every Ac- tivity. 600 Bright Sunlit Rooms. Each with Bath, Electric Fan, Ice Water. Single Room and Bath $3.00 Double Room and Bath $4.5 Exceptional Restaurant and Luncheonette Wire at our Expense for Reservations F. D. SOFIELD, Mng. Dir. EDITORIAL COMMENT ON ANTI-BUNK CAMPAIGN THE TRUE PROPHET Ma. Witt. Roctrs, presidential candidate of the “Party Opposed to Bunk," has again burst forth into a diatribe against the men who are a him on those slightly better-known party ‘acket the Republican and the Democratic. Mr, notes that both of the candidates have Stated their intention to raise the present cam above the level of past ones, and he has wee few remarks to make upon the subject, Probably Mr. Rogers would get very vexed very vexed indeed, at the implication that any. one was taking him seriously. Probably that the last thing in the world he wants. But ve can't help but do just that. . It is impossible to hide sound political judg. ment and a common-sensical outlook even under the bushel-basket of humor and levity. Mr. Rogers has the whole affair well doped out, Promises to run this campaign on a high plane will last just as long as the proverbial snow-ball in the ficriest furnaces. Which is to say, unt the campaign starts, . The opportunity this year is entirely too great for mud-slinging. It is a made-to-order situation for the old-style politicians (and there are some of them left—witness James A. Reed, Claude G. Bowers, Senator Moses and others), who beliey that the best kind of campaign fight is a red-het, get-your-man attack on the other party, the otha platiorm and the other what not. The rosy promises to be nice that bloom in the summer are bound to fade in the fall, when te battle gets more heated. There are obvious hols in the armor of each candidate, not what one would characterize as serious personal defects, but political flaws over which certain members of the old school must be licking their metaphorical lips in advance. Mr. Hoover and Mr. S: have both promised the voters a powder pe children’s picnic sort of a contest, with “high plane’ the watchword, But fire and brimstooe, if political omens are worth anything, are due » rain in profusion, Watch that prediction. It hs the authority of Will Rogers, and the cowboy bu proved himself a rather good guesser. —Wilmington (N. C.) News Dispatch. HE COULDN'T LOOK FUNNIER Lire is running Will Rogers for President. Froa the present prospects we think we could support him with pretty good grace. At any rate be would look better than Coolidge in a cowboy suit. —A. S.T., in Clarksdale (Miss.) Register. AND WHY NOT? Witt Roctrs for President of these United Stats? He offered himself as a candidate some tm back; fifteen leading men of the country endoned him,’ among them Mr. Henry Ford. Mr. Ford says: “The joke about Will Rogers’ candidacy for President is that it is no joke. It is a sere attempt to restore American common sense © American politics. American wisdom has alway been marked by a humorous slant; in our bet days as a nation we were always able to shp our biggest problems familiarly on the back, amt we need someone who can bring us back to tit attitude of easy mastery. “Will Rogers can do it, He will be a terror ® hypocrites. His humor will wash away whok mountains of nonsense and sham. “What is to prevent him, when clected, free running a side-government of his own? Let bis appoint his Cabinet and send messages to Coe gress. Let him address the people and make pv nouncements on public questions—in fact, at) the idea through to a finish. “It would be a tonic to the country and po comicbooks.com \ FR? jl Baas2 OF BERPF ETP IASSeAPTaA AFEFAE ,