The key objects in this cartoon are the "GOP Ice Cream Shoppe," the elephant, the different ice cream flavors, and Newt Gingrich watching from the outside of the shop. The whole "GOP Ice Cream Shoppe" represents the overall GOP race for nomination in the upcoming general election. The elephant represents the Republican public who is voting for GOP candidates. Newt Gingrich watching from outside of the shop is used as a satire. Gingrich is shown as a chubby man looking into the ice cream shoppe at the different flavors. The different flavors represent the different candidates. Rick Santorum represents a "surprise" candidate who pulled forward in the Iowa caucus as a big surprise to voters and the candidates themselves. Other candidates are also shown such as Rick "Nuts" Perry and Newt "Ego Nog" Gingrich.
The cartoonist clearly uses satire in this political cartoon to make fun of the GOP candidates for nomination. McKee uses the different aspects of the cartoon to satirize the fact that each of the candidates have their own key features that keep them from getting the GOP nomination. The elephant (Republican public) is putting up a new "Flavor of the Month." Gingrich has lost his high ranking position to Santorum.
The really interesting thing about this political cartoon is that it does not show the candidate Mitt Romney anywhere (either to say that he never had a chance at winning or to say that he isn't involved in the petty battle for GOP nomination as Newt Gingrich is). The cartoonist is showing how over time American's opinion over who is the next "flavor of the month" is chaning.
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