Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 10/23/2008

Draw Your Own Obama/McCain Conclusions...HERE.

By Michael Cavna

I've heard the sentiment expressed more than once. A week. And almost always, it's very well-meaning:

"Hey, I've got a great idea for a political cartoon. Now, I don't draw so well myself, so maybe you could draw it. Listen to THIS..."

Now, heaven knows, no pro cartoonist has time to draw all the ideas he or she hears from others -- and most self-respecting cartoonists don't want to hear these ideas, lest they absent-mindedly appropriate them as their own. But my standard reply to people who approach me with ideas is one of sincere encouragement. To wit:

"Draw it anyway! That's right: Sketch it yourself and just see what happens." Because if the idea is great and biting and insightful, and perhaps even humorous, then often, the art is secondary. Great material rises (for proof, you can find more than a few very successful cartoonists who can't "draw").

Which leads us squarely into today's offering. With the presidential election mere days away -- and voters surrounded on all sides by fertile satirical fodder -- Comic Riffs invites you to share YOUR opinions about the campaign in the form of an editorial cartoon.

Think "Joe the Plumber" is either a political masterstroke or a lame ploy? Think the election has become too negative, or has ACORN chatter driven you, well, nuts? Well, then, grab a sharp pen and a sharper idea and send your campaign cartoon either:
1 To comicriffs@washpost.com in a JPEG format;
2. Or fax it to Comic Riffs at: (202) 334-5587.

Entries to our Reader Cartoon Contest will be accepted through
Oct. 28. Political-humor professionals will judge the submissions and select a winning cartoon -- to be published on this blog -- prior to Election Day. Till then, sketch that pointed opinion yourself and, well, just see what happens.

SPEAKING OF POLITICAL CARTOONS: Comic Riffs got a real strong response to last week's Editorial Cartoon Poll, so we'll do it again this week:

After reading hundreds of recent campaign cartoons, we've culled the pile to a half-dozen that are our faves for various reasons (including technical craft, execution, originality and, yes, sometimes artistry). Below are cartoons by Cameron Cardow, John Sherffius, Dwayne Booth, Steve Greenberg, Michael Ramirez (in D.C. tonight for a National Press Club event) and Mike Luckovich (who was last week's top vote-getter). Vote for the one you think works the best -- and then, perhaps, try to outdo 'em with your own.