The New Yorker tried to take a swipe at Obama bashers with its controversial cover cartoon depicting Barack Obama dressed in Muslim garb fist-bumping his Afro-wearing, machine gun-toting wife in the Oval Office. Instead what it delivered was one of the most dramatic failures of political satire in recent memory.

Here's a roundup of reaction to the cartoon scandal:

Obama spokesman Bill Burton: "The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama’s right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree."

Artist Barry Blitt, creator of the cartoon, defended himself by saying, "It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is."

Cartoonist Daryl Cagle: "A cartoon that fails to communicate its message in a way that readers understand is nothing more than a bad cartoon."

Cartoonist Ted Rall: "If The New Yorker wants to get into the political cartoon business, it ought to hire some political cartoonists. Until they hire some smart editors, The New Yorker ought to stick to what they do well: gag panels about Upper East Siders at cocktail parties."

Jon Stewart, meanwhile, took on the media and Obama for overreacting to the Obama cartoon: "Obama’s camp initially agreed that the cartoon was, quote, tasteless and offensive. Really? You know what your response should have been? It’s very easy. Here, let me put the statement out for you. Barack Obama is in no way upset about the cartoon that depicts him as a Muslim extremist, because you know who gets upset about cartoons? Muslim extremists. Of which Barack Obama is not. It’s just a f**king cartoon!” (Watch video clip)

Stephen Colbert also chimed in: "I like this because I finally understand a cartoon in The New Yorker." (Watch video clip)

Take Our Poll: What do you think of The New Yorker's Obama cartoon?

1) It's offensive and unfunny
2) It's effective satire
3) It's just a cartoon. Why is everyone overreacting?

See also:
Cartoons Lampooning The New Yorker Cartoon (About.com Political Humor)
Satire, Like Most Art, Is In The Eye of the Beholder (About.com US Politics)
Satire on the Street (The Daily Show)
A Detailed Analysis of the New Yorker Fallout in Cartoon Form (23/6)
Want Obama in a Punch Line? First, Find a Joke (NY Times)
Obama Releases List of Approved Jokes About Himself (Borowitz Report)
Obama Unfunny? You Be the Judge (Politico)

Have you been swept up by Obamamania, or are you a full-fledged McCainiac? Take these handy quizzes and we'll gauge your level of support for the 2008 presidential candidates.

• The Barack Obama Loyalty Quiz
• The John McCain Loyalty Quiz

President Bush has made so many inane statements over the years, it should no longer come as a surprise when he commits a jaw-dropping gaffe on the international stage.

But in his parting words to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy at his final G-8 Summit, Bush managed to outdo himiself. "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter," he said, punching the air and grinning widely as the two leaders looked on in shock.

Bush also had another embarrassing episode in which he addressed the Italian prime minster in Spanish. "Amigo! Amigo!" he called out to Silvio Berlusconi, whom the White House had previously insulted in a press packet which described him as one of the "most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice."

But on the bright side, at least Bush didn't curse to anyone with his mouth full of food or grope any foreign dignitaries, as he did at previous G-8 summits.

Poll: What phrase best describes your opinion of President Bush?

1) Strong leader
2) Miserable failure
3) Honest straight-talker
4) Arrogant liar
5) Christian patriot
6) Clueless moron
7) Disastrous decider

Related:
Recent Bushisms
Best Bush Jokes & Cartoons
Bush Sings Farewell Song
Bush Gropes German Chancellor at G-8 Summit