This Is Better Than Political Promises
A farmer labelled by his mailbox 'U.S. Farmer' stands in a downpour, palm out, saying 'This is better than political promises.... ..right now!', while a newspaper in the mailbox reads 'Both candidates avow interest in farmers' problems'. The cartoon argues that campaign pledges to farmers are less valued than rain; the tag glittering-generalities is a weak fit, as the headline's avowals are the broad promises referred to.
Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon
- Date
- August 9, 1952
- Period
- Cold War
- Made by
- Washington Evening Star (cartoonist Jim Berryman)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Cartoon
- Issuer type
- Media
- Regime
- Truman Administration
- Leader
- Harry S. Truman
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Persuade or win support
- Themes
- Elections and party politics, Economy and finance
- Event
- 1952 US Election
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives (NARA), Records of the U.S. Senate, Jim Berryman Political Cartoons, retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
Jim Berryman, Washington Evening Star. National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the U.S. Senate, Jim Berryman Political Cartoons (NAID 5730852), item 5743166 (NAID 5743166).
Text on the object
THIS IS BETTER THAN POLITICAL PROMISES.... ..RIGHT NOW! U.S. FARMER BOTH CANDIDATES AVOW INTEREST IN FARMERS' PROBLEMS Jim Berryman
