Ensign’s Mea Culpa Wins Praise From Image Experts

Image experts? Maybe I'm no expert, but come on!

Ensign’s Mea Culpa Wins Praise From Image Experts
By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff


Did it. Sorry. Moving on. These are the new talking points for politicians ensnared in sex scandals, say political image consultants.

Sen. John Ensign ’s admission of a nine-month affair with a married campaign aide included a fresh interpretation of one of the oldest acts of confession in politics: The senator’s wife, Darlene, was spared the spectacle of sharing the stage while her husband admitted to infidelity.

“It’s basically come out, admit it, so you’re not having people investigating you or researching you and that’s it. You’re moving on at this point,” said Susan Abrams, a Los Angeles-based political image strategist.

Abrams, who is not advising the Nevada Republican, said it is appropriate for a supportive spouse to simply release a statement.

“Having the poor wife stand there. Everybody hates seeing that,” she said. “I think it shows more confidence professionally if he stands there on his own.”

The political propriety of issuing a statement rather than standing with an unfaithful spouse, however, is far from a settled issue among political image consultants.

“If I thought that I could forgive him, I would be there,” said Sandy Dumont, a Virginia-based consultant who calls herself The Image Architect. Not appearing at Ensign’s side sent a message of less-than-full support, she said.

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http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003146529

in that image-massaging, spin exercise. Funny how that only seems important when it's politically convenient.

who keep pushing the issue and demanding your resignation or prosecution for lewd acts.

Maybe even the second.

Oh, wait.

That's not right, is it?

The unfailingly accurate GOP image doctors give you a clean bill of health.
So raise a bunch of money, and fellate the base.

You are the annointed. The spin meisters cannot fail you!
Go deep in debt, but RUN!

or whenever we hear from the mistress and her pimp husband

:sarcasm: