Politics, Empire State Style

Words of the Day

“Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today. I want to be a part of it – New York, New York.” – Frank Sinatra, “New York, New York.”

Start Spreading The Word

The lights of Broadway and the shine of the Big Apple have been overshadowed by the blaring headlines of political shenanigans gone wild in the Empire State.  The political conundrum of some of the most powerful politicians in the land has given even WordSmith that unplugged feeling.

Consider these epic gaffes:

♦ Democratic Gov. David Patterson dropped his re-election efforts because he may have pressed the girlfriend of his top aide to drop charges of domestic violence.  That bombshell, along with allegations Patterson sought World Series tickets, then lied about intentions to pay for them, has many calling for his resignation.

♦ Rep. Charles Rangel, New York’s most influential member of Congress, had to give up his post as chair of the Ways and Means Committee after the ethics committee found that the Harlem Democrat broke House rules on accepting gifts.

♦ Rep. Eric Massa, a freshman upstate New York Democrat, stepped down after announcing he would forego re-election due to health reasons … and the lingering effects of a potential sexual harassment complaint from a staffer.

Those in public office – and the public spotlight – must hold themselves to a higher standard.  One major PR commandment  should always be followed … it’s all about ethics, ethics, ethics!  Those in the court of public opinion must strive to operate in an atmosphere that fosters trust, accountability, clarity and honesty.  Too often, however – especially in politics – people of power hallucinate themselves into a false sense of security, unscrupulously  thinking they are untouchable.  When will the powerful pundits wake up and realize they are just one election, one vote away from obscurity?

Maybe never.  WordSmith hopes so!  Better grab some Starbucks, fast!

At least Massa realized his stilted ways and did the right thing.  “I will resign my post”  he said in a statement.  “There is no doubt in my mind that I did, in fact, use language … that after 24 years in the Navy, might make a chief petty officer feel uncomfortable … this ethics issue is my fault and mine alone.”

Massa finally heard the crisis communications horns blaring, came clean and apologized.  Stay tuned to see if the rookie representative repents and steers onto the road of reputation restoration. 

At least he is on the right track, and for that – and the faint glimpse, nascent flicker and fleeting hint of ethical awareness in the oft  make-believe world of politics – these recovering, reckless politicians get a half-full Golden Mic Award, for their half-baked, hair brained behavior.

Golden Mic

Each week, Wordsmith will bestow a Golden Mic Award to the person, group or company in the court of public opinion that best exemplifies the tenets of solid PR, marketing and advertising – and those who don’t.  Stay tuned … and step-up to the mic!

The WordSmith News Bureau is based at Deane Smith Media Innovations, a full-service PR, marketing and advertising agency.  Got PR?  Need marketing strategy? Ad consulting?  Message Wordsmithing?  Creative & online initiatives? Reach the WordSmith at wordsmith@deanesmithmedia.com