Above, by artist Joseph Keppler, Sr. — Tantalus. From the front cover of the October 8th, 1884 issue of Puck magazine. Based on the Greek Myth, it shows former Speaker of the House, and Republican nominee for President, James G. Blaine, tantalized by the oh, so close, but never reachable to him, goal of the Presidency, along with the spoils, patronage, and other riches, that the thoroughly corrupt Blaine lusted after.

Click on the above picture, to view a larger, more detailed version.

Blaine, frequently depicted in Puck as a man tattooed from head-to-toe with his many improprieties, here instead has his sins transferred to the rock upon which he is chained. James Blaine — like Newt Gingrich today — had a vast history of lies, corruption, and moral failures, that doomed his run for the Presidency from Day One. Nominated, Blaine’s own record is what gave the Republicans their first post-Civil War defeat.

Doug Wheeler

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