2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Messaging, Views on News, public relations • April 30th, 2008

The Wright stuff

by Chris Lato

Am I the only one who’s really jazzed to see Hillary Clinton go toe-to-toe against Bill O’Reilly tonight? She is throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. It’s a Hail Mary pass. Pick your favorite cliché and go with it. How it will go is anybody’s guess, but this is as good a test as any of Clinton’s ability to defuse the enemy and connect with an audience that, charitably, is not inclined to support her. Check your local listings to find out when World War III begins.

While we’re at it, do you think Barack Obama’s head is ready to explode yet over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy? These are the kinds of things that, if played right or not addressed properly by the candidate, can absolutely derail campaigns. Rev. Wright has been saying things that will be viewed as incendiary by many. When tied to Obama’s longtime relationship, people may justifiably ask what Obama was doing giving this gentleman so much credence in his spiritual life.

There is a strong case to be made that this isn’t over, and a smart campaign will know how to maneuver this public-relations nightmare into a positive – both Clinton and, later, McCain will be able to really dent Obama if they play their cards right.

The fascinating thing here is that people are defining the enigmatic Obama by his associations, and there is a lot of political heat around this issue now. Why? Because Obama has, quite vaguely, defined himself as an ‘agent of change.’ OK, that’s fine as far as it goes, and thus far it has definitely resonated in his favor.

But here’s where things get tough - it is time for Obama to start putting some meat on the bones. The press will lend a helping hand if you are unwilling to do the defining yourself, or wait too long to address the issue at hand. Rev. Wright has captured so much attention because we know too little about what Obama stands for. For better or worse, Rev. Wright gives us insight into where Obama is REALLY at.

It’s quite unfair to exclusively define Obama by his relationship to Rev. Wright, but by the same token it is an illustrative association. As for the ongoing press heat, I’ve said it before – the honeymoon is over. The protests that this is all ‘politics as usual’ only carry you so far. The press certainly isn’t buying that one anymore. Is Team Obama really ready to step up and take these serious issues head-on?

No Comments »

New Media, public relations, wispundits • April 29th, 2008

TXT Release

by Greg Batiansila

A creative public affairs pro will constantly be testing and exploring new platforms for their releases. So this and this were inevitable. And, if you ask me, it’s not going to go away. So remember to come up with a brief version of that three-paragraph release for those who have a trigger reflex for cell vibrations.

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Leadership, Messaging • April 28th, 2008

The Bill Clinton legacy

by Chris Lato

This article crystallized some thoughts I’ve had about whether Bill Clinton is wrecking his legacy with his behavior on the campaign trail in support of Hillary’s run for President.

It’s clear he is really bitter, feels he hasn’t gotten his due as a ‘great’ President, and feels he was shafted by the press. That has all built up and now, in the heat of another campaign, Bill Clinton is letting loose and showing some of that famous temper.

But what about his legacy within the Democratic Party? Will the Clinton ‘scorched earth’ policy of campaigning mean he’ll have a lot fewer friends left, assuming likely nominee Barack Obama ascends to the throne? Or will everyone have a short memory about these things if all goes well for the Dems in November?

Because this race is going down to the wire, and is historic for a number of reasons, it will almost certainly be one for the books, a race that is talked about for decades to come. That cannot bode well for the Clintons.

Presidents care about their legacies. Richard Nixon went to great lengths to beef up his foreign-policy bona fides after his shameful exit from office. Jimmy Carter’s spectacularly mediocre tenure has been buffed up somewhat by his activities for Habitat for Humanity - although he still steps in it on a regular basis – just Google ‘Jimmy Carter Hamas.’ The whole Iran hostage thing must still chafe him because he’s busy trying to prove he can broker peace in the Middle East – and to hell with anyone who tries to tell him otherwise.

Ronald Reagan gradually disappeared from the public eye, due more to illness and the fierce determination by his handlers to protect the Reagan Legacy. Then there’s Bush 41, who recently scored points by pairing up with Bill Clinton to raise money for tsunami relief efforts. He also parachuted out of airplanes, in addition to racking up huge speaking fees.

Bill Clinton is making a post-Presidential mint, which is his prerogative. He raked in more than $80 million from book and speech income, according to the Clintons’ 2000-06 tax records.

In the wake of 2008’s bitter campaign, will the Clinton legacy be irreparably dented?

Put it this way. If we are all watching the comings and goings of President Obama a year from now, Bill Clinton will continue to fade away while his own legacy should remain relatively intact. He will still be a force. But unless Obama chooses to involve the Clintons in some meaningful way, a lot of pain is going to linger for a long time to come, and you can’t count on Bill Clinton to keep his thoughts to himself.

And really, at this point, Bill Clinton’s own worst enemy is himself - not the press or the vast right-wing conspiracy.

No Comments »

Views on News • April 28th, 2008

The Brett ‘n’ Dave Show

by Chris Lato

OK, it’s Friday, so let’s have a little fun.

I watched this last night in its entirety, and I felt a little uncomfortable. It seemed like Favre didn’t really want to be there. But, after watching it in bits and pieces, there were some low-key gems in there. Favre earned a couple of laughs.

But, holy cow, Favre is worse than Tommy Thompson with all this teasing about whether he’s really in or out. Remember the endless speculation about whether TT was going to run for another term for governor, or another, or another? Seems to me like Favre is playing the same game and that he really doesn’t want it to be over. He sure stumbled when asked about his QB heir apparent, Aaron Rodgers.

And why would the makers of the Madden video game put a retired player on the cover of the newest edition? Conspiracy theories abound. It Does Not Make Sense.

It’s fun to speculate on where things are going from here for Favre. I really have zero special insight, but after last night’s little display on national TV, it sure seemed to me like Favre would have no trouble with sweeping back into the fray at the last minute to try and return the Pack to glory.

However, if Favre really is out and wants a job as a broadcaster, he might have to turn up the energy level a tad. The whole ‘quiet folksy’ thing won’t read well on Sunday Night Football.

No Comments »

Views on News • April 22nd, 2008

Snow drifts over to CNN

by Chris Lato

Tony Snow, who spent 10 years with the Fox News Channel before a brief stint as White House Press Secretary, has been named a new ‘conservative commentator’ at CNN.

Good for him. Snow has struggled with cancer but appears to be on the rebound. He is an entertaining and smart guy even if you disagree with him politically. I’ve seen him speak in person, and he is an engaging personality.

It’s funny to read the talkbacker comments at the CNN website. You’d think Satan just signed a long-term contract.

CNN was called the Clinton News Network back in the day, and is vilified by the right for perceived bias. The Tony Snow hiring is one way to address that.

It’s always interesting to see how former ‘flacks’ are treated as they move back into the news business. As I have stated before, I have some personal experience with this, and Snow is being criticized by the left as being a ‘paid liar for Bush’ who has no credibility.

Well, I guess that discounts George Stephanopoulos. And James Carville. And Diane Sawyer. And…the list goes on and on and on.

First of all, Snow is being billed as a ‘commentator.’ He’s not going to be an anchor. Everyone who pays attention to these things knows his background, so take what he says with a grain of salt if you choose to do so.

Also, Snow is someone who has ‘real world’ experience. He’s been behind the podium on behalf of a Presidential administration. He has the level of experience that precious few have. He has unique insight. That is a valuable thing and should help inform Snow’s commentary. He has more credibility than 90% of the ‘observers’ who are out there pitching their wares on the news channels. He knows what he is talking about.

The fact is, everyone in the news biz brings their own biases to the table. Some cover them up better than others, but they all have biases whether they choose to admit it or not.

In addition, it is virtually impossible to be ‘objective.’ That’s a goofy notion born in journalism school classrooms.

However, it is very possible to be ‘fair.’ There is a difference, and honest reporters will acknowledge that.

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Views on News • April 21st, 2008

Pennsylvania blues

by Chris Lato

Will the Democrats’ long national nightmare finally come to an end this week? Will Barack Obama finally seal the deal? Or will Hillary Clinton surge in Pennsylvania, allowing her to continue justifying her quest for the White House?

The attacks are flying on TV in Pennsylvania, and John McCain is helpfully tossing a grenade here and there to keep everyone on their toes.

The polls show things are holding up well for Clinton. However, the question is whether she wins big enough. It still won’t mean a huge boost in terms of delegates, but Clinton would at least be given the moral victory of a popular vote boost, and maybe help keep some money flowing her way…which means the Democrats’ nightmare would continue.

In any event, it seems very unlikely that this will end after the votes are counted Tuesday, unless Clinton is absolutely blown out of the water in Pennsylvania. At the same time, The New York Daily News makes the case that Clinton may feel compelled to stay in until the convention – which also feels unlikely. There’s a lot of dead time between the end of voting and the convention proper, and if things are still in the same general situation, look for the Dem leaders to really turn up the heat to push Clinton out.

But, political junkies rejoice - this thing shouldn’t end for a little while yet.

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Messaging, Speeches, Views on News • April 18th, 2008

The honeymoon is over

by Chris Lato

Wednesday night’s debate on ABC proved what many knew was coming: the press is falling out of love with Barack Obama.

As Obama’s front-runner status inches closer to certainty that he will be the Democratic nominee, the worm has turned.

There are questions (legitimate, as they speak to his character and judgement) about Obama’s ties to the radical Weather Underground. There are questions about whether Obama is the 2008 wimp candidate (see: John Kerry 2004, Michael Dukakis 1988). There are questions about whether Obama is safe speaking in public without a TelePrompter.

Obama can, and will, continue to say that these issues are examples of the sorry state of the media, that our discussion should focus on issues, not (in his view) trivial matters, etc. However, that will only carry him so far.

Better Obama tackle these ‘trivial’ questions head-on, address the lingering issues and then get back to what he wants to talk about. At some point, his protests begin to sound like stonewalling, and the press will step up and define him, rather than the other way around.

Until recently, Obama has been admittedly masterful at writing his own script in this campaign. But in such a closely scrutinized race, that cannot last and all the high-mindedness in the world won’t keep the wolves at bay forever. Take them on, answer with clarity and forcefulness in a setting that gets the proper coverage, and then move on. Once that is done, Obama is well within his rights to say he has answered the questions and has other things to talk about. Until then, he can’t help but look like a guy who has something to hide.

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Views on News • April 17th, 2008

The ABCs of the Dem debate

by Chris Lato

Wow, is ABC being raked over the coals for its handling of Wednesday’s debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I can’t say it’s unjustified.

For starters, the questions coming from Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos were, for a good stretch of time, pretty idiotic. At one point, I left the room and my wife yelled at me to come back to the TV to get a load of the latest stupid question being posed. And we were far from alone in this reaction: TV critic/analyst Tom Shales has a great column that breaks down just how much of a wasted opportunity this debate really was.

Still others were fired up over ABC’s bizarre decision to have Stephanopoulos co-anchor the debate. After all, he was a top dog in the Bill Clinton White House. Seems kinda biased, no?

This is an interesting question and I have some personal experience on this one. As a former reporter who later worked for the Wisconsin Republican Party, then returned to reporting for a time in 2007 as an anchor/reporter for WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee, I took some heat from those who asked how I could be unbiased after working for the evil GOP. I did stay unbiased (I received not a single complaint about perceived bias during my nine months on-air). I have no doubt Stephanopoulos is sensitive to this charge too.

Still, co-hosting a debate in which one of the participants was a confidante and the wife of your former boss is a little different. And, indeed, ABC is accused of being pro-Clinton on this debate. That is the risk they took by putting Stephanopoulos in charge.

Obama is obviously paying attention and reaping the benefits, using the generally sour debate reaction to his advantage.

Poor Hillary just can’t land a punch on this guy. We’ll see if the poll numbers in Pennsylvania hold up, or if this whole thing will all be over a bit before the convention.

No Comments »

New Media, public relations • April 17th, 2008

Divorce, YouTube-Style

by Chris Lato

Divorce by YouTube

Since my business is communication…and business is good!…I am fascinated by disturbing new trends, like this video. Some of the discussion in the middle of this clip may be NSFW if you’re in a prudish environment…so keep the volume low.

This is pretty groundbreaking in all the wrong ways. I can’t believe her estranged hubby won’t sue over this, and I can’t imagine he wouldn’t win, but what does this open the door to? All sorts of wild, unsubstantiated allegations posted on video? I know in many ways, the Internet is already the wild wild west, with all sorts of crazy stuff being posted all the time. But this seems to take things into newer territory, where it becomes easy for ‘regular people’ to accuse and embarrass one another without the benefit of a fair response.

Also, what’s to stop disgruntled former employees of businesses making videos accusing the company of engaging in illegal or unethical conduct (except for the obvious lawsuit)? Are businesses prepared to respond fast to something that can spread like wildfire if it has a good hook? It is what crisis communications is all about, and I suspect too many businesses – and people in high places who could be slapped with this kind of stuff – may not have the first clue as to how to respond. Online crisis communications doesn’t get a whole lot of attention and this trend could get a lot bigger before all is said and done.

Think PR, people…(end of commercial).

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Views on News, public relations • April 16th, 2008

No liberal media here…

by Chris Lato

News flash: the press loves John McCain and isn’t too keen on Barack Obama. Anyway, that’s the takeaway from this article.

Give McCain credit: he has made the press feel really good about themselves for a long time, and that warm and fuzzy relationship may pay some dividends this election year. This coziness is part of what gets conservatives’ knickers in a twist – that McCain is sleeping with the liberal enemy (figuratively speaking, of course).

I’m struck by this article’s portrayal of the media as fawning over McCain and giving the cold shoulder to Obama. Why would that be? For starters, the press has taken a beating for appearing to allow the Obama love-fest to go on unchallenged. Editors are probably feeling the pressure to appear they aren’t in the tank for him, and the press is starting to turn.

Also, McCain hasn’t been shy about cozying up to the media. He is seen as quotable, a straight shooter, sometimes to his detriment. The press likes that.

Obama is a dazzling orator, but some in the media are asking what is underneath that veneer. The press, in particular, may be feeling their B.S. detectors are at their limit. Obama’s comments in San Francisco are prompting another round of questions: just who is this guy?

This ties into my experience, and the notion that the ‘liberal media’ is overblown. Granted, I did not work for an outlet in New York, Chicago or LA. My ten years in broadcast journalism were entirely in Wisconsin, including five years as reporter and, later, news director for the Wisconsin Radio Network (not to be confused with Wisconsin Public Radio – but it often is anyway).

There are liberal reporters and editors in the media. I have worked alongside plenty of them. I’m friendly with some of them. I’ve hired a couple. Everyone has opinions, and some do a better job of concealing them than others. That’s where the real problem lies.

But in my experience, reporters thrive much more on old-fashioned conflict and on challenging B.S. That’s what gets the ol’ juices flowing. In dealing with the press, I counsel clients to look at reporters not as an enemy, but someone who has a good sense of when you are being honest and when you are blowing smoke. You can win them over by engaging on an honest level with reporters, knowing that everything you say may be used - most of the time, you will be OK.

Come in with your guard up, convinced that the evil liberal reporter is out to ‘get’ you, and things probably won’t go well. You’ll appear secretive, evasive, combative – not a good combo.

BONUS PARAGRAPH: So, you think your job stinks? Maybe you want to send your resume to this outfit. It reminds me of the abuse heaped on the real estate salesmen in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross.’ Always Be Closing! (I’d link to Alec Baldwin’s speech from the movie, but it’s way too profane for young, impressionable ears and eyes.)

No Comments »