Instead of per se, he probably should have said something like “supposedly” or “ostensibly.”

A better comic could’ve pointed out how they treat their constituency as a bunch of morons, their condescension to the plebs. It’s a bit like the Roman empire in Lives of the Twelve Caesars.

These are two very stupid comic strips.

This is a kind of strange, colloquial usage of “per se” that I have heard before but I’m still not sure exactly what the speaker thinks the phrase means—it does not mean anything that would serve to make that implication.

actuallly seth, based on the last few years of clinton and the past 4 or 5 of bush’s and personal experiences as well, it seems to me that this is the entire neocon/theocon idea of subtlety. that doesnt excuse what muir describes in his cartoons, but his other work is pretty indicative of how much kool-aid he is drinking(and peddling)
and is as such very very distressing to see.

Character 1: “Wait, the U.S. Senator who represents Illinios voters?”

Character 2: “Per Se” [implying – In name only, he really “represents” souless terrorist killers who hate America.]

This is Muir’s idea of subtlety (granted, Tinsley would have spelled it out. In a large font.).

All else is elaboration upon that theme.