The two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich talks about his recent collection The Twisted History of the GOP (ECW Press, 2022), his work that’s appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1989, and more, with Joseph Planta.

The Twisted History of the GOP by Mike Luckovich (ECW Press, 2022). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Twisted History of the GOP

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Mike Luckovich joins me now. The award-winning editorial cartoonist recently published a collection of his work, The Twisted History of the GOP. It brings together recent work that, as he puts it, highlights the descent of the Republican Party into a fascist, racist, anti-science, pro-conspiracy cult. I’ll ask him why he views it so, and review some of the biting, often funny cartoons he’s drawn over the years, as the once proud, competent counterbalance to the Democratic Party began to change in the 1990s with the rise in influence of Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, the NRA, and FOX News. Sometimes the cartoons are delightful and playful, and sometimes they’re depressing and leave one with little hope. The twice-impeached conman, former president Donald Trump still remains a vital part of the party, and for some time yet. I’ll ask Mr. Luckovich about how he copes, and how he views his work in the political climate of his country. Mike Luckovich is a Seattle native, who has received two Pulitzer Prizes (1995 and 2006) for his editorial cartoons that have appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1989. His cartoons are reprinted in newspapers across the United States, and have been included in his previous books Four More Wars!, and A Very Stable Genius. In 2005, he received the Reuben Award, presented by the National Cartoonists Society for Cartoonist of the Year. Visit www.mluckovich.com for more, especially if you want to buy signed prints. His Twitter handle is @mluckovichajc. The book is published by ECW Press. We spoke yesterday, with Mike joining me from his home in Atlanta, Georgia. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Mike Luckovich; Mr. Luckovich, good morning.

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