The E-Mailbag: "The Caption Contest Results Are In, Jeffy...!"

We could not let the Family Circus leave Washington without a proper sendoff. Lacking balloons, bunting, pinwheels, confetti, parade floats or a key-to-the-city, we followed the strip's dotted-line trail to the Monument, where we instead honored them with: a Caption Contest.

Your entries were every bit as silly, snarky and suggestive as we'd hoped. And to judge the civic-minded proceedings, we thought it only right to approach JALINE QUINTO, communications manager and "senior humorist" for DC Vote. (The nonprofit -- which works to secure a vote in Congress for the District -- will be heading to both major-party conventions to spread the message, by the by.)

FAMILY CIRCUS: Readers rise to the challenge. (KFS)

Quinto brought to the task her sense-of-mission, her serious D.C. credentials and her (self-described) wildly inappropriate sense-of-humor -- in other words, absolutely everything we look for in a Guest Judge.

So without further ado, the winning caption was:
"Mommy keeps a monument like this in her top drawer!"
Congratulations, "Jesse Cline." (Judge's comments: "It's a little obvious but it's laugh-out-loud funny.")

Quinto also awarded Honorable Mentions to:
1. "Daddy, is this the 'shaft' that you say we're always getting from the
government?"
-- entered by "Hankster." (Judge's comment: "Nice insight, Jeffy. Way to stay relevant, especially in an election season.")
AND
2. "Daddy I have to go to the bathroom."
-- entered by "Bob Quick." (Comment: "Cute and, well... cute.)

Now, on the new Riffs Caption Contest: With the Democratic National Convention almost upon us, we submit to you a political cartoon by the Newark Star Ledger's talented Drew Sheneman.

Your caption here. Literally. (Newark Star Ledger)
Enlarge Comic

And here's the twist: You can write your surrogate caption to be mouthed by either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

Our polls are now open. We invite your submissions.