Senator Bunning’s Fickle Finger of Fate

Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) has shown the world how not to be a class act. Well, actually, he showed he’s in a class, but not one we admire.

The Senator, who is retiring and not seeking reelection, blocked the bill to extend unemployment benefits to hundreds of thousands Americans who have lost their jobs during this economic crisis. Apparently, he only feels confident while standing his ground on the safety of the Senate floor. But, when asked by reporters to stay and talk to their cameras about a move that seems heartless, Senator Bunning scowled, growled, and displayed his middle finger while rushing to hide out in an elevator.

I’ve been conducting media training for years, many times for members of the U.S. Senate. Keeping your cool under pressure is critical to a public image and something  I repeatedly emphasize. And, I have actually flat out told clients never to use that infamous, universal sign language under any circumstances, no matter how heated the situation.

Senator Bunning broke every media training rule of dealing with a tense media situation. He looked angry and defensive. He tried to outrun reporters to the safety of an elevator when being questioned. He refused to answer their questions. He yelled sarcastically, “Excuse me! I’ve got to go to the floor!” when a reporter got close to the elevator door and still asked a question. And to top things off, he made the loutish move of  flipping off the reporter. All while he sees cameras rolling.

Is this a case of stupidity? No. This is a case of “I don’t need your votes any more” arrogance. Good thing Bunning is retiring and not running for reelection. He’d be a media trainer’s nightmare. No one likes to work with someone who has behaved so unprofessionally so publically.

Goodtime Charlie’s got the blues

Okay, let me get this straight. In 2007 and 2008 Charlie Rangel (D-NY) gets on  private jets and goes to all-expenses-paid “conferences” in Antigua and St. Martin, and claims he didn’t know who paid for the trips. Oh, and let’s not forget  the fact that after 30 years in Congress he admits he had no idea that taking the trip was inappropriate and he was too naive to ask who was footing the bill.

So Mr. Goodtime Charlie did the only thing he felt was appropriate in this mess. He blamed his staff. That’s right. It’s all their fault because they didn’t inform him that jet-setting on the dime of influence peddlers is not cool.

And the poor guy couldn’t possibly be expected to figure that out for himself. In his defense, he was possibly on another business-financed junket when all those bills were passed baring people of influence from giving legislators meals, gifts, entertainment, trips or anything else of much more value than a latte and croissant.

Now I understand his take on his role as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.  If someone has the means to give him free trips, he’ll find ways to justify it.

Yeah, those slacker staffers really dropped the ball on this one. How dare they not look out for and protect the image of this pillar of political service. We have all been taught to take care of dumb animals. They should really be ashamed.

Give me a break. Here’s the professional advice I give everyone caught with their hand in the cookie jar: Take responsibility for your transgressions and apologize. Don’t try to pass the blame for your bad behavior off on others. That tactic fools no one.

Tiger Pause

In the ongoing saga of celebrities behaving badly, getting caught, then publically saying they are oh “so very sorry,” Tiger Woods became the latest to join the sleazy-sleep-around hall of shame.

After a three-month hiding game that would rival Bin Laden, the golf champ surfaced last Friday and fessed up in a well-controlled press conference. And although I believe details of his misbehavior should remain private and something only he and his wife should be dealing with, this was a media event staged to salvage his sponsorships and career, not his marriage.

As a media trainer, I’ve been asked by countless people, “So, how do you think he did?”  Well, if it were an Olympic event I’d probably give him an 8.

Here’s where I gave him points: He looked and sounded genuinely remorseful. He didn’t sugar-coat his appalling sexcapades. He didn’t make lame excuses. He admitted that he felt “entitled” and was completely selfish. He apologized to the right people: first his wife, his family, his friends, his fans—especially the young people who looked up to him—and finally to his sponsors and supporters. He confessed that he has been and will continue to be in rehab. He strongly denied rumors about possible acts of violence at the hands of his wife and mentions of his possible use of steroids. He kept it short. He didn’t take questions.  And, he answered the big question: When will he return to playing pro golf?

Points were lost because he read a scripted statement, which never has the degree of credibility as those that appear unpremeditated. But, Tiger is a professional golfer, not a professional gabber. I suggest he get a little media training while on his break. This issue will certainly come up again when he does return to the game.

So, I’ll stick with my score of 8. I’m just one of millions of judges in this event. But I’m betting the Swedish judges slammed him.