Ted Rall Booted By WAPO

The Washington Post has booted political cartoonist Ted Rall from its list of acceptable contributors. Rall believes and says it's because he drew one offensive cartoon, a Nov. 4 submittal depicting a drooling, mentally handicapped student taking over a classroom. The WAPO, however, contends that Rall's work doesn't "fit the tone" desired by the newspaper.

I contend that Ted Rall ceased to be a preferred flavor of the day after President Bush was reelected. The political ambiance in Washington was to be dominated by four more years of Republican leadership and, as such, Ted Rall's continued presence on the newspaper's pages was sure to cause a chronic rash of criticism. And I won't be beguiled into thinking that Ted Rall would have been booted had John Kerry been elected president. If Kerry had been voted into the Oval Office, it's more than a safe bet that the Washington Post would have considered Ted Rall's contributions more than appropriately nuanced for its pages.

Regarding Ted Rall being considered a cartoonist, it's not obvious. His reputation is based upon offerings that are simply offensive and vulgar graffiti, lacking in humor, without wit, and devoid of intelligent satire.

Hat tip: Captain's Quarters, Outside The Beltway.