June 14, 2014

Morten Morland (@mortenmorland) and the "Cartoon-Test"


Back in 2007, Morten Morland wrote about the LibDem leadership election. He predicted Nick Glegg's election would lead the party to oblivion. On what premise? Because Clegg is so exceptionally ordinary to draw and therefore exceptionally unremarkable to the electorate. "Mr. Some Bloke embodified" as Morten put it. He said:
"It’s simple, really. If a person is easy to draw, he’ll do well [in politics]. Because the likelihood is he’ll have other interesting characteristics too, which will make him appealing to journalists, thus raising the party’s profile in the media. And people watching are more likely to remember him, which is a bonus!
Morten then put Nick Clegg through what he called the "cartoon-test":
"A quick cartoon-test shows that Nick Clegg, probably the favourite in the party at the moment, will lead the party into eternal oblivion, if elected. 
He is Mr. Some Bloke embodified – despite the fact that he can speak several languages. 
I did a couple of quick sketches, and worringly for him, the best caricature came after I in frustration drew a lifeless mask. 
People will see Nick Clegg on TV and wonder whether he’s that guy from marketing whose name they can’t recall – or someone they’ve met at All Bar One.


Morten then put Chris Huhne through the "cartoon-test":
"Chris Huhne on the other hand, is better. Not great, but better. He’s got a prominent crazy eye – a feature that he famously shares with both Maggie and Tony. His mouth is similar to that of a hamster…or a mouse, and remember, those ears will keep growing. 
Between Clegg and Huhne, there really is no contest.

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