In this cartoon, appearing just before the 1880 Republican National Convention convened, the plumes in the senator's hat emphasize "gush," "bluster and brag," and, incomprehensibly, "communists." Blaine wears a "bloody shirt" to indicate that his chief tactic is smearing the Democratic opposition as sympathetic to the former Confederate cause. The campaign posters surrounding the candidate are meant either as jabs at Blaine's ego or his alleged corruption. The shadow he casts resembles an insect and hides the ominous warning of "defeat sure" in the general election if the Maine senator is nominated by the Republicans.