Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Another PR Mistake?
It seemed last week the Democrats had made a PR error when intense questioning caused the wife of Judge Samuel Alito to break down in tears. At least some commentators opined so. Now the Democrats seem to be on the verge of another by intentionally delaying the vote on his nomination to the Supreme Court. Sadly, it appears the party is in a snit because it was unable to block him during the hearings. Whether this is true or not, in Washington it is perception that counts.
On the other hand, there isn't one side to the story. The Democrats also appear to be assuring their base they are doing everything they can to stop the nomination, even if they can't. It smacks of "don't blame us." Would it have been better had they accepted defeat and gone on with the vote?
When there is spin within spin, nothing is what it seems to be. And that's sad. The essence of good PR is to build trustworthy relationships with key publics. But it seems when one reaches Washington, relationships are replaced by cant on both sides of the aisle and in the White House. It reminds me of a story I once heard about a lobbyist whom everyone respected and trusted because he told the truth and kept his word. Legislators found that to be a rare and useful quality. Yet, that is exactly the way we are supposed to be in PR.
Curious, isn't it?
On the other hand, there isn't one side to the story. The Democrats also appear to be assuring their base they are doing everything they can to stop the nomination, even if they can't. It smacks of "don't blame us." Would it have been better had they accepted defeat and gone on with the vote?
When there is spin within spin, nothing is what it seems to be. And that's sad. The essence of good PR is to build trustworthy relationships with key publics. But it seems when one reaches Washington, relationships are replaced by cant on both sides of the aisle and in the White House. It reminds me of a story I once heard about a lobbyist whom everyone respected and trusted because he told the truth and kept his word. Legislators found that to be a rare and useful quality. Yet, that is exactly the way we are supposed to be in PR.
Curious, isn't it?
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