Today we debut a new weekly feature, The Political Cartoon of the Week. It represents our choice of the best political cartoon we've seen during the previous seven days.

Political cartoons have a long and venerable history in American journalism and politics. We tend to favor those that produce a visceral reaction, an almost instant sense upon seeing the work that the cartoonist got to the essence of a topic via sharp imagery, a few choice words [often dripping in irony], or sometimes a harmonious blend of the two.

And of course, we're suckers for clever plays on words. ["Dressed to Suppress"]

Our selection will appear each Sunday morning and may inspire those of you who check us out before the weekly tv talk shows. 

Readers who come across a political cartoon that week they believe merits special consideration using the criteria discussed above are invited to submit it to us via email. Your nomination must arrive by Saturday noon and should contain the date and place of publication. Put "Poltoon" in the subject line of your email to us, RTA @ TheRealDealPress.com. [no spaces].