Catherine Paneral
Jour 4460
Blog One—Knowing what to say…
What in this world isn’t somehow tied back to PR? Every big business has a department handling it. Even small businesses have someone dealing with PR even though they may not have the legit title. Someone has to know what they are doing to make sure whatever it is you are representing is in the best light possible. Contrary to popular opinion, any PR is not good PR.
From day one of my PR education I was told “be prepared for anything.” But how do you do that? “Anything” is limitless. While it is difficult to know everything, some may argue, the only thing you can do is to consume as much knowledge as possible.
Yesterday I was listening to a radio segment talk about the debate between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. Now, before I go any further you must know, I know nothing about politics. My parents were strict conservatives and kept me sheltered from pretty much everything. So, as I am listening to these guys talk, I hear the part about the opening question Gingrich received about his marriage allegations with his ex-wife.
Another thing you must know is I am a sucker for drama. I don't want to be involved necessarily, I just love hearing about scandalous endeavors. So when I hear this question about Gingrich pushing his ex-wife for an "open marriage", I am jumping out of my seat wanting to know more juicy details.
His response: "The destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office. I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate with a topic like that."
Oh. Instant change of opinion. You're right Gingrich. I'm not listing to a recap of Jersey Shore. This is a presidential debate. Why aren't they asking you about taxes or health care? I understand that the way a presidential candidate runs their personal life is potentially how they may run our country but that’s not what I am getting at.
Gingrich’s response was so well recited that I feel like he must have known it was coming. Granted, when you do something shady in your life prior to running for president, you can bet people will dig it up and question you about it till you want to cry. This question he was asked is exactly what I have been preparing for the last two years. Be prepared for anything.
I also noticed in the quotation above that Gingrich did not even answer the question he was asked. PR skills teach you to think fast on your feet and to never, ever, EVER say “No comment.” Gingrich was smart in his response by having a response prepared even though it didn’t really answer the question he was asked.
I didn’t listen to the whole debate, mostly because a lot of that political talk is jargon to me. However, the brief actions of Gingrich played in my head for the rest of the evening. Those who are running for a political office have to be on their toes when it comes to executing proper PR strategies and tactics. It makes me wonder what this world would be like if they all understood how PR works.
Sources:
NPR Radio 90.1 fm
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