Public Relations Princess

Sounds Like Congress Needs a Social Media Policy

I've watched the spectacle surrounding Weinergate for days now. During Weiner's tearful presser where he took "full responsibility" (whatever that means) for his transgressions, after the tears stopped, the arrogance came through.

One line really bothered me, though. It was his astonishing read on his culpability. "I am not going to resign. I did not break any House rules."

Except the catch-all House rule that states:

The House rules state that “a Member … of the House shall conduct himself at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.” Um, I believe he violated that rule. Unless the standard of behavior in the House is sexual depravity.

The Congress could have saved itself a lot of time if it simply made each member sign a social media policy. The policy should explicity explain the following elements:

1. Every member of Congress should understand the responsibility involved with using social media. Clearly, Congressman Weiner thought that hiding behind his computer in his underwear was ok. But this is not something he would have done in his congressional office.
2. You can't be a Congressman from 8-5 and then turn it off and be a private citizen. You take the oath, you are responsible for your behavior online 24-7. It doesn't matter whether you use "government-owned" electronics or not. Former Alaska Governor Palin is finding out the hard way that conducting government business on personal email is just as wrong.
3. Lewd chat and photos are OBVIOUSLY inappropriate in a professional setting. If a private employer found evidence of this behavior on an employee Facebook page or Twitter account, they would be gone. GONE.

A social media policy should be a legal document signed by each member, much like a non-compete contract or internet use policy. That way, when things like this happen, congressional leaders can use that document as proof that each member was apprised of rights and responsibilities and are held accountable for trangressions.

Mrs. Pelosi and members of the House ethics committee, if you need some help drafting that policy or educating your members on appropriate online behavior, just call.

 

Can Public Relations Professionals Have Strong, Public Opinions?

Serendipity occurred this week in a way that rarely does. A week ago, one of my best buddies, Josh Fleming, asked me if I thought that my strong political beliefs were affecting my brand and my business. He sounded like a concerned older brother. Probably because of my strong stance on the healthcare reform bill, which I have not been shy about defending in this blog post, on Twitter and on Facebook.

Yesterday, another friend, Jarad Bernstein from Des Moines' Catchfire Media, asked me to weigh in on a post about mixing a PR career and strong political opinions. The author of that blog took a familiar, safe stand. I don't blame her. But she's not me. By the way, I was Jarad's very first friend in Iowa. How did he find me? Google. What was the subject of the article he read that I was quoted in? Politics.

Then, yesterday, I spoke with an old friend that, like me, started out in politics, and now has his own business. Eric Woolson is the polar opposite of me, politically. He runs brilliant political campaigns for people whom I fundamentally disagree with. So, I asked my old friend the same question that Josh had asked me last week. He knew exactly what I was getting at. "You mean do people hire me because I'm a republican?" he replied behind his grin. He runs campaigns and does issue-related consulting. Not many liberals or democratic politicians come knocking on his door.

But for regular corporate clients, Eric said, there is hardly ever a discussion about politics. He can't even guess whether some of his clients are republicans or democrats.                                               

I have clients (and friends) from all over the political spectrum. Have I ever brought up a sensitive political issue in a client meeting? No way. I have common sense. If someone asked me a direct question about a contentious issue, I would reply, but not elaborate. I would immediately try to find common ground, or agree to disagree. That's what happens when I'm on the clock.

When I'm off the clock, I do express my opinion. Twenty+ years of papertrail and photographs document my journey. My resume contains the political jobs I've held. I belong to a Gore 2000 staff Facebook page. For months, my Twitter avatar has been of me and Barack Obama. I can't hide from my political leanings, nor my strong dedication to talking about issues that deeply matter to me.

What have I learned? Here is just a partial list:

1. If you have an opinion, be prepared to back it up with facts. People who don't agree with you will still respect you if you have a well-grounded argument.
2. Don't label and categorize people. Even though I'm a fairly liberal democrat, I still have differences in opinion occasionally with the party and elected officials. I don't appreciate being called a socialist or a "commie pinko" or a "feminazi."
3. Be respectful. This should be self-explanatory.
4. Know people for who they are and what they do, not what bumper sticker is on their car.
5. A little humor goes a long way. Ask Isaiah McGee or Wade den Hartog  how many good-natured jabs we've thrown at each other, while still retaining respect for one another.

My bottom line: maintaining good client relationships and friendships should have nothing to do with your political leanings. Respect, common sense, and tolerance for opinions and free speech are all American values that I cherish. Chime in, I'd love you hear YOUR stories and opinions!

The Huckabee PR Miracle: Eric Woolson

Back in 2005, when Mike Huckabee was hardly a household name, there was one true believer who focused on his task. I talked to Eric Woolson on the phone one day soon after he had decided to work with Huckabee's fledgling campaign.

"Mike WHO?" I remember asking, thinking that my phone had cut out a bit while Woolson uttered the unfamiliar name. "Mike Huckabee," he said again. Knowing that Eric and I couldn't be further apart in our views on politics, and knowing his past preference for religious, conservative candidates, I smiled to myself and half-heartedly wished him well. That'll never work...is what I was really thinking. His previous foray into Iowa politics with "Sponge Bob" Vanderplaats, a gubernatorial candidate in Iowa a few years back, was a miserable flop.

What I didn't expect, and what really happened this time, was that the combination of Eric Woolson, a top notch public relations professional and Mike Huckabee, a straight-talking guy with a great stump speech, would finish first in the republican Iowa Caucuses.

I still don't buy into any of Huckabee's positions on the issues, he is far too conservative and religious for my liking. His positions on abolishing the IRS and on immigration are not palatable. The fact that he used to catch and kill squirrels and cook them in a popcorn popper in his trailer frankly just grosses me out.

But if Huckabee chooses slick Washington D.C. political consultants over Eric Woolson, he will prove himself to be the yokel that he really is. Woolson is the most focused and talented PR pro I've ever seen. There's a great story in the Des Moines Register today about Woolson's rise to manage the biggest upset in Iowa Caucus history. It's worth a read. Also, check out Woolson's company Web site, The Concept Works.