How would you handle Blago's PR?

just so I have this straight: according to Dietrich, Blago's PR blitz in NY was a good strategy? Huh? He got impeached 59-0 and his legacy, already tarnished by corruption, mismanagement and a penchant for scatological vocabulary, will forever be tied to this crazy, misguided waste of money. I'd be curious to hear why anyone would think that was a good strategy? Would PR counsel also advise that he skip the impeachment proceedings and then swoop in at the end and make a incoherent, near-begging attempt to save his job?

How about this for PR advice: Governor, the best thing for you to do is to resign and focus on the federal trial that awaits you. Give a strong and public defense when trial begins and act like you actually cared about the citizens of Illinois who elected you. Then, and only then, will you be able to save the tattered shards of your legacy.

With some people who have been the focus of bad news for so long, no SEO strategy in the world can 'push down' the bad news far enough!

Disclaimer: I can't hear the audio on this clip. I'm reacting to the headline, "PR pros explain how they would handle Blagojevich's PR."

My guess is that neither one of them said something like,"We wouldn't take on a client like Rod Blagojevich because we're not in the excrement-polishing business, and we don't think it's appropriate to help rehabilitate the reputations of unrepentant corrupt sleazeballs so they can continue to perpetrate crimes against others in the future."

The Constitution guarantees legal representation to everyone accused of a crime. So the accused is entitled to a lawyer. But no one has a Constitutional right to the services of a reputation management firm. Yet, sadly, I'm guessing he'd have no shortage of applicants should Blago decide he needs one (if he's not working with one already).

One wonders where the cutoff is for some in the PR industry. How do you decide a client is too disgusting to work with? Will you work with anyone whose check will clear? Is it okay to represent perpetrators of white-collar crimes, but not violent criminals? Would you represent Goebbels but not Mengele?

I'd be very interested to hear from others in the field what it takes for a PR firm to turn down a client (other than lack of money.)

What we witnessed this last week was one very sad spectacle for a profession that, while never held to the standards of say, investment banking or even politics, nevertheless continues to at least strive for a modicum of respectability. The sadness lay not so much in the now ex-governor’s search for his version of truth and justice, but in the “publicity plan” and firm that devised it and one assumes was paid handsomely for its execution.

You can read more of my opinion on this media circus at http://thegrovereport.blogspot.com/2009/02/pr-at-its-low-point-blagojevich-media.html