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CNN Sunday Morning

Interview With Mike Luckovich

Aired June 30, 2002 - 07:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, maybe it should have, but corporate financial shenanigans didn't cause the most buzz of the week. Instead, it was the pledge. And politicians jumped on the issue with glee. "The Atlanta Constitution" editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich also jumped on them with glee.

MIKE LUCKOVICH: It's true.

PHILLIPS: It's true. You have a field day with this stuff, don't you?

M. LUCKOVICH: You know, it's like God's gift to cartooning when something like this happens. I mean, I love when the politicians are all trying to see who can say the pledge of allegiance the loudest. It was just a big competition. Actually, though, it bugs me because they actually should be concentrating on getting all this corporate corruption under control.

PHILLIPS: There you go.

M. LUCKOVICH: But they're all screaming about who can recite the pledge with "under God" underlined.

PHILLIPS: And of course, we're going to talk about that cartoon in a minute.

M. LUCKOVICH: Right.

PHILLIPS: But first, we've got to start -- you and I were talking about this a couple weeks ago. And I wanted you to come back, if indeed you got a response. And it started with this cartoon.

M. LUCKOVICH: Right.

PHILLIPS: OK. And as you can -- go ahead and tell us about it.

M. LUCKOVICH: All right, now this is a cartoon that I did about three weeks ago. And it was during the time when we were getting all kinds of those terror warnings. So Bush is talking to FBI Director Mueller and Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney. And he's saying, "Anything interesting intelligence warning wise?" And you see their hairs on end.

Now this wasn't one of my favorite cartoons. PHILLIPS: Rumsfeld loved it.

M. LUCKOVICH: But Rumsfeld liked it. He had an aide call and say, "Can I have that cartoon?" And the aide told me if you send him the cartoon, send him an extra print and he will send you back an autographed copy.

So I thought well that would be great. So I sent him a copy, but what I also did, and as you can see on this cartoon, he signed it up above, "To Mike, thanks so much, Donald Rumsfeld." But I what I also sent to him, I made up this little certificate. And it says on it, "From the Desk of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld." And then I wrote "Official." And I've got a little official looking seal there with his face in it.

PHILLIPS: With Rummy on the...

M. LUCKOVICH: With Rummy on it. And it says, "This entitles American patriot Mike Luckovich weekend use of a gassed up M-1 Abrams tank plus free lunch at the Pentagon cafeteria." So I sent that to him as well. And I didn't think he would actually sign it, but he did sign it, as you can see. So -- and -- but he...

PHILLIPS: But there's a side bar.

M. LUCKOVICH: There's a couple of notations. First of all, he said as far as lunch goes, "Not at taxpayers' expense." And as far as the tank goes, "It's got to be in a country of his choice." So...

PHILLIPS: He's got a great sense of humor.

M. LUCKOVICH: He does. But you know, there's something kind of -- it makes me feel good to know that some of our elected officials do have senses of humor. I appreciate that.

So you know, if you hear about a cartoonist in a tank invading Iraq, you all know...

PHILLIPS: You know it's Mike Luckovich.

M. LUCKOVICH: You know what's going on.

PHILLIPS: And we'll have the exclusive interview, right?

M. LUCKOVICH: Right, exactly.

PHILLIPS: We could do beepers with you or for the satellite phone.

M. LUCKOVICH: I'll have my head out with the helmet like Dukakis. Remember that?

PHILLIPS: Yes. All right, let's get to the next one.

M. LUCKOVICH: All right.

PHILLIPS: You got to have fun with Saddam Hussein.

M. LUCKOVICH: Oh, oh, well yes, he's -- I mean, he's just an all-time great. This is Bush. And he's showing his dog -- what is that dog's name? Spottie?

PHILLIPS: Barney and Spot.

M. LUCKOVICH: Barney and Spottie. And he's showing the picture and I think it's Barney is saying, "And after we sick them, what's the end game?"

PHILLIPS: Well...

M. LUCKOVICH: Now next was the tremendous fire in Colorado that the woman -- the Forest Service woman allegedly started.

PHILLIPS: Terry Barton.

M. LUCKOVICH: Terry Barton.

PHILLIPS: Right, not a funny situation. That's for sure.

M. LUCKOVICH: Not at all. So I did this cartoon. A judge is talking to Ms. Barton. And he's saying, "You were supposed to protect the forest, instead you burned it down. You may face prison or an appointment by Bush to the EPA."

PHILLIPS: Oh. I don't know if Bush is going to sign that one for you.

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, no, I don't think I'll get a signature on that one. The thing about Bush though is he's done fairly well with the terrorism, but I really think that domestically, in my opinion, he hasn't done so well. And the environment is one of the things that I think he needs to work on.

PHILLIPS: Are you a tree hugger?

M. LUCKOVICH: You know, I like trees. I always have. It goes way back with me and trees, so...

PHILLIPS: All right, Martha Stewart?

M. LUCKOVICH: Now Martha Stewart is like another gift to cartoonists. And in a way, I'm kind of glad, not for her exactly, but I'm glad that this is going on. I've got a skunk, a huge skunk on her shoulders. It's insider trading allegations. And she's saying, "Make even the smelliest dead skunk more pleasing with tiny home made mittens." You can't go wrong with that.

PHILLIPS: Pinocchio and Wall Street. I wonder what the connection is here?

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, you know, well gosh you know, look at how these guys -- what's going on in this country because we have...

PHILLIPS: It's greed.

M. LUCKOVICH: Oh, I know it, but it's just...

PHILLIPS: Come on, it's greed.

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, you know, greed they should be somewhat good, but this is just so corrupt. And it's making us look bad around the world. And you know, countries around the world put money into our country, like a $1.5 billion per day. They're not going to want to keep investing in our country if we don't get our act together. We need regulatory reform. And we need it now, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: It sounds like you're about to do the pledge of allegiance.

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, you know, that -- I should. I can start...

PHILLIPS: On that note.

M. LUCKOVICH: That's true. And now oh yes, now we do have the pledge of allegiance coming up. This is -- I've got a politician here. And you can see he's bedecked with flags. And he's saying, "And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God." And a guy is saying to his wife, remember when they used to hang from cars?

PHILLIPS: You're going back.

M. LUCKOVICH: Yes. No, I know it. I know it.

PHILLIPS: You're showing your age.

M. LUCKOVICH: That's true.

PHILLIPS: All right, now another serious?

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, right. Ann Landers really was just so consistently great. And one of our icons, and you've thought she would always be around. And so, I did this cartoon. A woman's in her house. And she saying, "My sister, let's call her Bertha, stole from me. I pray for your guidance." And out of the clouds, God is saying, "Is that one for me or Ann Landers?"

PHILLIPS: It's hard. Hey, Dear Abby and Ann Landers, you know?

M. LUCKOVICH: Oh, I know it.

PHILLIPS: Both fantastic.

M. LUCKOVICH: I know the sisters. It's just amazing.

PHILLIPS: Yes.

M. LUCKOVICH: The talent there.

PHILLIPS: And a gift.

M. LUCKOVICH: All right.

PHILLIPS: All right. Oh, boy, WorldCom and bin Laden.

M. LUCKOVICH: Oh yes, now...

PHILLIPS: How do you make a comparison here?

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, here's the thing. Who is really doing the damage in this country? I've got a bin Laden looking guy. And he's saying, "I'll bring U.S. capitalism to its knees." And in the second panel, he saying, "No, I'm not CEO of WorldCom."

PHILLIPS: Then again you sort of wonder, if he were to be the CEO of WorldCom, what would have happened?"

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, probably about the same thing that's happened.

PHILLIPS: Even worse.

M. LUCKOVICH: Yes, yes.

PHILLIPS: All right, big severance packages.

M. LUCKOVICH: Right. You know, this is so sad. I'll just read the cartoon here. A gentleman is reading to a CEO and he's saying, what is he saying, "You're incompetence and lawlessness bankrupted the company, cost the workers their jobs, depleted their retirement funds." And the CEO says, "Hurry, get to the part about my $125 million severance package." I mean, these guys can be totally corrupt, totally idiots, and they still get huge severance packages.

PHILLIPS: Can you hear the clapping?

M. LUCKOVICH: Yes, well.

PHILLIPS: But we had some folks on the crew that wanted a severance package and didn't get it. Right, guys?

M. LUCKOVICH: Oh, man, well -- yes, but these are all geniuses here.

PHILLIPS: Yes, hey, you're right.

M. LUCKOVICH: We're talking about goofballs in this case.

PHILLIPS: All right, you've got a new one, right? You've brought in a new cartoon? Is that right?

M. LUCKOVICH: Oh, yes, I did. Gees, you guys are amazing. I didn't think we were ever going to...

PHILLIPS: I've got to stay on top of you. You know what? Your head's always turning.

M. LUCKOVICH: I know it. I know it. PHILLIPS: What did you bring in today?

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, I just had this extra one.

PHILLIPS: Oh my.

M. LUCKOVICH: This is a large couple and the gentleman is reading a newspaper that says, "Southwest Air charging obese flyers for two seats." And the guy says, "Honey, let's get away this summer, just the four of us."

PHILLIPS: You know, you're not a very big guy.

M. LUCKOVICH: No.

PHILLIPS: But can you relate to him? He's...

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, you know, I don't want to get myself in too deep. I'll just...

PHILLIPS: What a big joke.

M. LUCKOVICH: Yeah. There you go.

PHILLIPS: All right, now we got to talk about Mikala. I notice this adorable young lady that was accompanying you to the studio today.

M. LUCKOVICH: Yes, this is my assistant. Actually, this is my middle daughter, Mikala. We've got one younger. Mikala's 10.

PHILLIPS: Mikala, are you your dad's assistant?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: Kind of.

PHILLIPS: Kind of? How do you keep him in line? Do you think he's funny?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Yes? Does he tell you jokes at home?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: All the time.

PHILLIPS: Yes? Do you assist him at all with the cartoons?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: I give my ideas, but he never uses them.

PHILLIPS: Dad, why do you never use her ideas?

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, you know, I don't know. I figure I'd have to sign the cartoon Mikala. And it just wouldn't work as well, but you know, there -- my family, I've got four children.

PHILLIPS: That's right, you do.

M. LUCKOVICH: And so, it's sort of constant. I'm constantly getting ideas from these guys. And...

PHILLIPS: So which one of the most funny things your dad has ever told you?

M. LUCKOVICH: You better -- you know what?

PHILLIPS: How does he make you laugh? How does he make you laugh? Is it through our cartoons?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: Well, sometimes I really don't get his cartoons.

PHILLIPS: And so, what do you do?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: I just ask him what it means and stuff. And then it's usually funny. But...

PHILLIPS: Has he ever done a cartoon of you?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: Actually, yes.

PHILLIPS: Yes? How did it turn out?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: He stopped, but...

PHILLIPS: What does it say?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: I don't really member.

M. LUCKOVICH: She just remembers the big head.

PHILLIPS: Oh.

M. LUCKOVICH: I draw on her as the big head caricature.

PHILLIPS: That means you're really smart?

M. LUCKOVICH: Oh, she is. She's very smart.

PHILLIPS: That's right.

M. LUCKOVICH: She's very smart.

PHILLIPS: What do you want to do when you grow up? Are you thinking about it?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: Well, I want to -- I kind of wanted to be a doctor.

PHILLIPS: Oh, all right. You could be supporting your dad.

M. LUCKOVICH: Yes.

PHILLIPS: There you go.

M. LUCKOVICH: That's the plan. PHILLIPS: He needs some medical help sometimes if you read his cartoons.

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, that goes without saying, doesn't it?

PHILLIPS: Thank you for bringing your dad in this morning and being his assistant. We appreciate it.

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: Your welcome.

PHILLIPS: All right. Are you going to come back and join us with some more?

M. LUCKOVICH: Yes.

PHILLIPS: All right.

M. LUCKOVICH: And I can bring other kids, as a matter of fact.

PHILLIPS: Yes, would you? OK, Mikala this week.

M. LUCKOVICH: Right.

PHILLIPS: Then we can -- who can we bring in next?

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, we could -- Lucy is our youngest. She's a year and a half.

PHILLIPS: Oh, perfect.

M. LUCKOVICH: Well, she's a huge pain.

PHILLIPS: She could sit on my lap.

M. LUCKOVICH: All right, that's what we'll do then.

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: She'll be crying the whole time.

PHILLIPS: Because of dad's cartoons or because she's just tired?

MIKALA LUCKOVICH: Both.

PHILLIPS: OK. Mikala Luckovich and Mike Luckovich.

M. LUCKOVICH: All right.

PHILLIPS: You guys added a lot to our Sunday morning. Thanks, Mike.

M. LUCKOVICH: Thank you.

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