In his introduction, Ed Gamble points out the intriguing relationship of political cartoonist and politician. It is a relationship that can range from downright antagonistic to one of mutual praise. While political cartoonists would have a hard time making a livelihood without politicians, politicians often do wish that they were living without editorial cartoonists.

It is a sentiment one might infer from the forewords by former presidents George Bush and Gerald Ford. President Bush discusses how you have to “take the good with the bad” in the world of editorial cartoons. “Grin and bear it,” he says, “that's the best way.” President Ford feels that humor is “indispensible to democracy” and the “clearest and most resounding expression of freedom that we have,” although he too has felt the sting of cartoonist attacks. Overall, his best advice after nearly three decades of political service in the nation's capital is to “smile; maybe the next one will be nicer.”

In this collection of cartoons, the editorial cartoonist for the Florida Times-Union focuses on the ups, downs, and pitfalls of the political world. The title refers to Bill and Hillary Clinton, the subject of the first seven chapters. These chapters include: “In the Beginning: The Campaign,” “Bill and Hillary Take Over,” “Foreign Affairs: The New Confused Order,” “Domestic Affairs: More Disorder!,” “Hillary's Health Care,” “Whitewater, and Foreign Affairs II: Help!” Other chapters discuss topics from the O. J. Simpson trial to the November 1994 elections to the new Republican agenda.

Cartoons That Fit the Bill