Mark Pasetsky's Cover Awards

This is a thought provoking cover from The Week’s editor-in-chief William Falk.

Notice how Barack’s back is facing the back of Rev. Jermiah Wright.

At the same time, Barack’s head is looking over his shoulder.

To me this represents how Barack is trying to break away, but at the same time, stay close to his long-time pastor.

Indeed, the speech he gave on race did not completely separate himself from Wright.

Will this decision hurt or help Barack? 

The debate continues! 

What do you think?

Two days following Barack’s big speech on race, the cable news shows, blogs, papers, etc. are still debating the success or failure of this event.

I was watching Morning Joe on MSNBC this morning and they brought up a very good point.

Barack attempted to give an in-depth speech on a complicated topic.   Unfortunately for Barack, we live in a soundbite society.  That’s why we keep seeing those volatile soundbites made by Barack’s pastor.

If Barack had made a more succinct statement, he probably would have had made more of an impact.

Bottom Line:  This country has no attention span!   The speech was too long and now it’s hurting Barack in the polls.  

What do you think?

TUNE IN AT 10:15 AM

Barack Obama (seen here on the recent cover of Rolling Stone) will be responding to the controversy surrounding comments made by his pastor.  The speech will be on 10:15 a.m. on MSNBC.  As you have probably heard, the pastor has made some outrageous, divisive remarks. 

Obama has claimed to be unaware of these comments at the time they were made and that the media coverage was a misprepresntation of the pastor, according to MSNBC.

Can’t wait to see how Barack responds.  Let us know your thoughts!

Looks that way to me!

Barack has literally been on the cover of every major national news magazine and now we get to see the back of his head!

Time asks the question that is the big discussion point in this election - “How Much Does Experience Matter?

What do you think? 

Finally, A Newsweekly Doesn’t Show a Visual Bias! 

Lately, I’ve been mouthing off at the newsweeklies for showing their bias through the pictures they select of the candidates.

However, this issue of Time Magazine seems to allow the reader to decide for themselves.   Both candidates look stern and determined.  

For a sneak peek at Time’s cover story, click here!

And, if you can vote in the Potomac Primaries today - get out and VOTE!

How Newsweek Picked Its Winner Weeks Ago!

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton faced off last night in Los Angeles in one of the most important debates of this campaign.   

Prior to the debates, Newsweek had their own Democratic candidate face-off with one cover for Barack and one for Hillary.   I believe that this is an example of how editors show their bias without even realizing it.

On the left, I see a charismatic, humane Barack Obama looking to his “change” quote.   On the right, I see a Hillary Clinton that appears uncomfortable and almost stone faced.  They feature a much less profound quote as well.   Does Newsweek favor Barack!   It looks that way to me!  What do you think?

The story is particularly timely considering Obama’s recent win in South Carolina.   Interesting cover line, but even more compelling is the dek “What this election says about you!”   Anyone that loves following big media stories, will also be drawn to the set of stories on the top of the cover!   On the design front, I love the retro design - and the yellow POPs on the newsstand.  Another winning cover for New York Magazine!

Newsweek gives the two leading Democrats solo covers with their most memorable quotes.   Who wins the Newsweek cover race?  You decide!