This image of Obama is interesting because of it's visual style. This style is reminiscent of old Soviet propaganda, with it's bold color choices and graphic presentation. I believe it was meant to evoke revolutionary imagery akin to that used by the Bolsheviks and the Soviet Union, although the ideology differs. Obama's visage is thoughtful and stoic, his gaze aimed upwards in accordance with the one word in the image, HOPE. This graphic style has been used to great effect in the past, yet still feels contemporary compared to typical political imagery in America.
The interesting side-effect of this stylistic choice plays into the stereotypically Right-wing habit of comparing Left-wing Americans to Communists. By using this type of image to portray the Democratic presidential nominee, the artist may have inadvertently strengthened that conviction. Granted it would take more than this image to make a case for such a claim, but the varying reactions I've read have included those kinds of rash allegations, brought on primarily by the visual style.
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