But that’s not the controversial part.

What’s upsetting to many is the way the presidential hopeful and his wife are dressed.

Michelle dons an Afro and is dressed as a radical militant carrying an assault rifle, while Barack’s choice of attire is traditional Muslim garb, which includes a robe, a turban and sandals.

The couple is standing in the Oval Office of the White House. In the background, a portrait of what looks like Osama bin Laden hangs over the fireplace — a scene where the stars and stripes of the American flag have fallen victim to the flames of the fireplace.

The cover art, titled “The Politics of Fear,” was illustrated by Barry Blitt. The New Yorker calls the image “satirical” and explains that they were trying to reflect the outrageous rumors that are surrounding the senator. The irony is that the cover has caused more displeasure than laughs and might do more harm than good.

Obama’s every move is already being heavily scrutinized. This magazine should be the least of his problems.

Political analysts have said that this won’t affect the senator’s campaign, but it’s kind of hard to believe that with all the attention it’s received.

Things like this can overshadow his campaign and instead of focusing on “Obama the politician,” people will concentrate on “Obama the caricature.”

Portraying Michelle and Barack in the Oval Office might give some people the impression that his goals and views will change if and when he clinches the presidency. If someone is on the fence about who to vote for, they might decide to jump on Sen. John McCain’s train for fear that voting for Barack would be taking too much of a risk.

It also creates the illusion that the couple is unpredictable. Who would want someone like that in the Oval Office?

The illustration is offensive, not only to Barack, but to his Muslim supporters. There were rumors earlier in his campaign, that claimed he was Muslim because he had attended a secular public school as a child in Indonesia.

Although there is nothing wrong with practicing Islam, this picture makes it seem as though it’s taboo to even be associated with the religion. Even if Barack studied the Muslim religion, how would that take away from his abilities to perform his duties?

Maybe the cartoon would be a bit more humorous if Barack had actually asked the magazine to help dispel the rumors surrounding him — but he didn’t. If the New Yorker wants to put to rest the rumors about Barack, they could do so by reporting the facts and letting readers decide for themselves.

Everything in the illustration is contradictory to Barack and Michelle’s views. If they really wanted to help paint a better picture of the senator, the cover should have reflected the man Obama truly is.

The real Barack is a family man whose No. 1 priority is to bring about change to the nation for the better. Barack’s reaction to the cartoon speaks volumes about the person he is. Instead of bashing the magazine, he chose not to give it the attention it seems to so avidly crave.

This isn’t a conservative or liberal issue — it’s a concern of negatively depicting a presumptive presidential nominee in the midst of a heated race to the White House. Even McCain referred to the cover as “totally inappropriate.”

The New Yorker might have released the cover with good intentions, but it had the opposite effect. This cartoon doesn’t help dissipate the rumors — it only stirs them up even more. Somewhere in the middle of drawing this illustration, the line between funny and over-the-top was blurred.

Keiara Tenant is the State News opinion writer. Reach her at tennan10@msu.edu.