I have not seen the cartoon, and I rely upon the description given. The following opinion is given while I was unaware of the "accusations" that have been thrown about.

I agree that the cartoon was meant to imply that the stimulus plan could be written by a monkey ... that it is a trivial endeavour.

I do not believe the cartoonist, or the editor of the Post, or anyone else who was involved - of whatever hue - could possibly have been unaware of the racist undertones, or of the personal implications regarding Obama, and they published anyway.