Reply #153: No, not regardless of context...

[traxster]

I don't *think* the monkey is exactly supposed to BE the president. But, because a good cartoonist or a good editorial guides people to think in different ways, not just one way, it is not too far off base that for some it could represent the president.

That is the issue. What you said...he knew he would push some buttoms, which meant he knew that some would feel that the monkey represented the president. To that end, it was somewhat purposeful and in that case, the criticism is he getting is warranted.

I don't believe the author is racist, but I would not be surprised if this exact cartoon was to show up and be used by racists because of the symbolism using the monkey.