Yes, I’m sorry, but I had to dig into the archive this week. As much as I hate to go with a rerun this close to the election, I’m in the middle of grad school midterms and, well, the history of the Vietnam War trumps everything for a few days. I’ll return to Election 2008 soon, but, in the meantime, enjoy “All Tricks, No Treats” (color version) from 2006; it’s as accurate today as it was then (unless you happen to live on Wall Street).

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “All Tricks, No Treats” (color version) [Archive No. 0639b]

“That one?”

No, I don’t think John McCain had any racial intent when he oddly referred to Barack Obama as “that one” during last night’s debate. But it was dismissive and a poor choice of words, especially in light of McCain’s nasty anti-Obama ad, “The One,” from earlier this year. In debates, it’s often the little things that stick, and “That one” just might be that thing for this one. My latest toon, “What’s in an Article?,” reflects on the moment.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “What’s in an Article?” [Archive No. 0835]

The economic meltdown continues. This week’s take, “Money Talks,” is the latest in my dollar-bill series.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Money Talks” [Archive No. 0834]

I understand that deregulation, greed and mismanagement are major factors in the current economic crisis. But why are so few of the “experts” talking about a war, fought on credit, that’s already cost hundreds of billions — and that some believe will have a total economic impact of more than $3 TRILLION? It’s insane. This week’s toon, “Dollar Wise,” pokes at that question.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Dollar Wise” [Archive No. 0833]

It’s not the actual destruction that makes us fear terrorists, it’s the chaos they introduce into the system. So imagine what the rest of the world thinks of the “First-World Terrorist,” who, driven by a radical faith in greed, lays waste to financial markets and threatens prosperity everywhere. Too bad Bush and his cronies didn’t launch a preemptive strike against those bastards.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “First-World Terrorist” [Archive No. 0832]

Sarah Palin must be the final insult to poor Hillary. To be so close to breaking the ultimate glass ceiling, and to feel you were mistreated by the media, and then to see some gun-tottin’, Bible-thumpin’ hottie hockey mom, with even less experience than that punk you were supposed to have crushed, strut in using a ready-made “the media is sexist” defense … . Every time Palin evokes her name on the campaign trail, Hillary must die a thousand deaths.

When I first sketched this toon, I had Hillary saying something like “What have I begot?” But as I was looking at it on the art board, the final caption wrote itself. It’s the unspoken word that’s been in the background this entire whole campaign (and notice that it’s still unspoken). It seemed pretty obvious that’s “What Hillary Must Be Thinking.”

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “What Hillary Must Be Thinking” [Archive No. 0831]

In other news, one of my editorial cartoons, “Stimulating a War Economy,” took top honors at this year’s Homer Davenport International Cartoon Contest. The event is part of the annual Homer Davenport Days festival in Silverton, Ore. Another of my toons, “The Numbers Game” (color version), took third. It was a small competition — 13 artists competed — but I’m still pretty tickled.

I’ve reprinted the cartoons below, or you can check them out at the Homer Davenport Days Web site.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Stimulating a War Economy” [Archive No. 0817]

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Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “The Numbers Game” (color version) [Archive No. 0813b]

Man, not even a week in and the Palin family is a gift that won’t stop giving. This Alaskan crew comes with more baggage than the Clintons (but hopefully not with as much political skill!) So many scandals, so little cartoon space: I decided to go with “Having It Both Ways,” an angle on the McCain campaign and the Right’s deliberate attempt to reignite the culture wars. I’m sure there will be plenty of future chances to come back and visit the colorful (though not in skin tone) Palin clan.

Speaking of the future, I’m back at my art board and settled in to deliver weekly toons for the Election ’08 homestretch. The hand is pretty much healed; thanks for all the kind e-mails!

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Having It Both Ways” [Archive No. 0830]

A quick note to let you know my editorial cartoons won’t be returning from hiatus until next week. During the first week of my vacation, I slipped and landed on a barnacle-encrusted rock, resulting in several cuts on my drawing hand (click here for picture) and a trip to the ER. It’s all healing remarkably well, but I’m still finding it tough to do brushwork. So I’m going to have to pass on the Democratic National Convention, but should be back in the saddle for next week’s GOP brouhaha.

A quick roundup of OtWP news:

• One of my editorial cartoons has been selected by toonpool.com for its ongoing “Underground Exhibition” in Europe. On Aug. 3, “Checking the Gauge” [Archive No. 0617] will be broadcast 40 times a day on 4,000 video screens in Berlin’s subways, and should be seen by approximately 1.5 million passengers.

• Three of my toons can be found in new books chronicling the recent primaries. “Marathon Coverage” [Archive No. 0801] is included in “The Race for the 2008 Democratic Nomination,” while “Mitt on Change” [Archive No. 0802] and “Fresh Face of the GOP” [Archive No. 0804] made the cut for “The Race for the 2008 Republican Nomination.” I won’t be selling copies in the OtWP Store, but, if you’re interested, you can use the links below and I’ll get a kickback from Amazon.

Buy “The Race for the 2008 Democratic Nomination” from Amazon

Buy “The Race for the 2008 Republican Nomination” from Amazon 

• Finally, the time has come for a summer break. I plan to take the next three weeks off for family travel, backburner cartoon projects and just to generally recharge my battery. Expect my next toon Aug. 27, just in time to comment on the Democratic convention.