Ultimately, caricature—especially of a political sort—relies more than anything upon a certain familiarity. From jowly Nixon to sunny Reagan to moon-faced Bill Clinton, American presidents are skewered daily in op-ed cartoons across the country. After seven and a half years, George W. Bush has been reduced to merciless simplicity—a peanut head and two enormous ears parked behind an oversized desk is enough to signify "W" for those who care to look.

A president Obama will be no different, but—terrorist dress aside—it seems we are growing familiar with a certain look for Barack. And in fact, it has nothing to do with race or culture. This image nails it:

The cheeks, the ears, the teeth, the doe eyes—it's all there. This illustration, done by John Cox way back in 2006, should serve as a model synecdoche, should Obama actually move into the Oval Office. Of course, unlike writers, the cartoonist is paid to exaggerate—but with that chin, they already have plenty to work with.

Dayo Olopade is a reporter at The New Republic. She has spent the last year staring at Barack Obama.

Also on The Root:

Michael Arceneaux gives a brief explanation of satire and Kim McLarin exploits The New Yorker's misfire.

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