JEFF MACNELLY

I'm kind of a nerd. A square. And I'm terrible at telling jokes. I always forget the punch line.

A career is a job that has gone on too long.

I'm looking forward to working for the 'Tribune' because any company that can invest in the Chicago Cubs has a view of the future we cannot begin to comprehend.

Because of my grey hair and glasses, people think I'm Phil Donahue.

I don't need a lot of attention. I'd much rather have the work be famous than the face be famous.

Political cartoonists get hung up on daily deadlines and the front page. The worst thing you can do is open up the newspaper and ask, 'What's funny about this?'

Editorial pages all say, 'Well, the other guy has a point, too. It remains to be seen how this will come out. We certainly hope it comes out fine; blah, blah.' Cartoonists don't go that way. Our job is to stick out our tongues, to show a big raspberry to whatever pompous jerk happens to be mouthing off.

My father was very methodical about life. He'd always ask me, 'Now, what's your system? What's your schedule like?' I have no big system, no rigid schedule. When he would ask, 'How do you do this? Give it to me step by step,' I'd try to convince him that there were no step-by-steps.

I really do have a self-censorship problem, which isn't the way you should be if you're a cartoonist.

That really has been my message over the years: 'Hey, we're all in this together, so let's laugh about it a little, please.' It adds perspective to an argument if you know where you're coming from.

I look at people, and I like to laugh at them.

The best cartoons have no words at all - just the image pops out.

My father was very methodical about life. He'd always ask me, 'Now, what's your system? What's your schedule like?' I have no big system, no rigid schedule. When he would ask, 'How do you do this? Give it to me step by step,' I'd try to convince him that there were no step-by-steps.

The best thing for my creative process is a deadline.

I'm kind of a nerd. A square. And I'm terrible at telling jokes. I always forget the punch line.

I thought that through the strip, I could vent my spleen and be funny at the same time. But when it comes to humor, there's no substitute for reality and politicians.

The problem when you're a cartoonist and you go into the voting booth is that you have your choice of two guys - one would be best for your country, and one would be best for your business.

I don't need a lot of attention. I'd much rather have the work be famous than the face be famous.

I really do have a self-censorship problem, which isn't the way you should be if you're a cartoonist.

I'm looking forward to working for the 'Tribune' because any company that can invest in the Chicago Cubs has a view of the future we cannot begin to comprehend.

That really has been my message over the years: 'Hey, we're all in this together, so let's laugh about it a little, please.' It adds perspective to an argument if you know where you're coming from.

Because of my grey hair and glasses, people think I'm Phil Donahue.

Everybody's funny-looking.

Political cartoonists get hung up on daily deadlines and the front page. The worst thing you can do is open up the newspaper and ask, 'What's funny about this?'

If you're a balanced cartoonist, you're not a cartoonist. You definitely have to have a bias.

Editorial pages all say, 'Well, the other guy has a point, too. It remains to be seen how this will come out. We certainly hope it comes out fine; blah, blah.' Cartoonists don't go that way. Our job is to stick out our tongues, to show a big raspberry to whatever pompous jerk happens to be mouthing off.

A career is a job that has gone on too long.

Writing is simple. First you have to make sure you have plenty of paper... sharp pencils... typewriter ribbon. Then put your belly up to the desk... roll a sheet of paper into the typewriter... and stare at it until beads of blood appear on your forehead.

Above average intelligence has always run in my family. Ambition, however, has always walked with a limp.