All this outcry everytime Obama is criticized, is a bit boring. He will get criticized, more and more. Better get used to it.
At the same time, the cartoon is as close to racism as there can be. At best, it is tasteless, considering the fact that it was based on an event where a lady almost lost her life.
Most likely, they are/were aware of the racial connotations. Anyone who has worked at a decent daily newspaper knows the racial and derogatory association made between simians and black people. Anyone who has worked with blacks will know about it. At worst, it was horrible, considering the fact that the monkey is getting shot/assassinated.