"What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar," said Thomas Marshall, Woodrow Wilson's vice president. What it certainly doesn't need is to be branded like every major and minor corporation. Yet that's exactly what the brand giant FutureBrand is offering through the Brand America Student Contest, a competition that asks young designers to rebrand the red, white, and blue. For what purpose? The promotion reads:
   

     That's all well and good, but does America need more signs and symbols? Or a more effective foreign and domestic policy? Brand America suggests that a brand bandaid (BrandAid) can cure the current economic and political woes. And what is the prize? "Fame and glory," say the organizers. The winner and selected finalists will receive $1000 and a paid internship. Doesn't that seem a rather paltry sum for getting America back on its feet?

(Editor's note: if you missed yesterday's DH due to technical problems, click here)

To end the first official week of the 2008 presidential campaign, I offer a sampler of current and forthcoming events devoted to picturing politics.
    Tonight, September 12, the reception for "Politcs 08" opens at The Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators (through October 4). The exhibition showcases the original art from contemporary illustrators focusing on this year’s long campaign--and there is a lot of it. Curated by Edel Rodriguez, the show features the work of Steve Brodner, Philip Burke, Tim O'Brien, Hanoch Piven, Stephen Kroninger, Luba Lukova, and Barry Blitt (he of the New Yorker cover fame).
    On Monday, September 15, the first of three roundtables in the "Art and Science of Politics" series begins at the Philoctetes Center in New York, focusing its discussion on Left and Right: What Neuroscience is Revealing About Political Thought. October 22 will be devoted to "The Design of Influence."
    On November 15, the Illustration Program, Parsons the New School for Design, and the Politics Department, New School for Social Research, present a daylong symposium, "Picturing Politics," featuring Eisner award-winning comic artist Rutu Modan (Exit Wounds), as well as Peter Kuper, Steve Brodner, Luba Lukova, and Barry Blitt (he of, well, you know), among others.
    If you happen to be in Berlin next month, the exhibition "Arthur Szyk: Drawing Against National Socialism and Terror" on view at the German Historical Museum (below) celebrates one of the most brilliant political satirists of his day.
    However, if you can't attend any of these events, you might want to play with the latest crop of candidate dolls (including the Sarah Palin doll above). Bring your own campaign to life in the privacy of your own home--it's like being there, only different.

Today is Joyce Rutter Kaye's last day as editor-in-chief of PRINT. After ten years, she will be joining NYC & Company, New York City’s official tourism, marketing, and partnership organization, as senior editorial director. In this position, she will be heading up the editorial department and unifying the organization’s voice across a range of media, from print to websites to broadcast to live events. In addition, she will be working on new initiatives to help improve the city.
    Picking up from long-time PRINT editor Martin Fox, Joyce impressed her own personality on the magazine. She oversaw its current redesign, its greater adherence to the news, its increased critical stance, and its renewed vitality as a chronicle of the new while respecting history. Under Joyce, PRINT racked up more American Society of Magazine Editors' National Magazine Award nominations and two major awards. She has built an enviable staff of design journalists and editors. At a time when the web threatens to make print obsolete, Joyce has made the magazine more vigorous and the PRINT site more active. (Thanks to Joyce--hmmmm--I now get up at 4 instead of 5am to write this daily blog.)
    I have known and worked with Joyce since her days at U&lc. I will miss her firm yet encouraging presence as editor and friend. I hope the city is grateful. Merci et adieu.