Powell retires, politicians safe again

Submitted by bniolet on November 4, 2009 - 8:14am.
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News & Observer cartoonist Dwane Powell, who has poked, skewered and lampooned political figures and issues for 35 years, retires today.

Powell, who turns 65 this week, drew more than 8,000 editorial cartoons that pointed out the foibles, the contradictions and affectations of the state's elected leaders, Rob Christensen reports.

"It's amazing," said Gary Pearce, a longtime Democratic operative. "With just a pen and a piece of paper, he could come closer to the truth about politics and politicians than thousands of words. He could really just nail you. Even when he did, you just had to laugh."

Steve Ford, editorial page editor for The N&O, said there were no immediate plans to replace Powell.

In 2007, the N&O put together a video featuring Powell's take on some of his memorable cartoons.


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Re: Powell retires, politicians safe again

Submitted by MalleusMaleficarum on November 6, 2009 - 9:58am.

Powell was a gifted addition to the N&O - we shall not see his like again.

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Re: Powell retires, politicians safe again

Submitted by ktuscan on November 4, 2009 - 7:53pm.

I can never forget the one with Jimmy Green lounging on a bench outside the Capitol while a money machine pumped the 'green' right into his hands. I hated to see it, really, but it WAS the truth.

His cartoons have been a part of my life since college days in the late 1970's, picking up the N & O to see who Powell is taking aim at.

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Re: Powell retires, politicians safe again

Submitted by Isaac136 on November 4, 2009 - 9:36am.

This is terrible. Powell is one of the reasons that the N&O, despite its many changes and its shrinking form, has been able to provide a sense of community to its readers. No more Powell is probably going to mean fewer subscribers. I'm so, so sorry to see this day.

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