Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Cronyism and Media Presence
Suppose you’re someone with a little bit of “media presence,” i.e., you get mentioned in the news once in awhile in the performance of your public or private job, or you have your name and photo at the top of a news column. Now, suppose you don’t think that’s enough. Time to engage in a campaign to increase your media presence. Pick a high-profile target, someone who is legitimately in the spotlight, and latch on. Sounds good, but…
Is it ethical? Is this why we vote people into office or read their syndicated column?
A prime example of such behavior is Eliot Spitzer (check out his political ambitions at his campaign site). He picked Martha Stewart as his star to hitch to. She was perfect: a hard-working, wealthy, self-made woman who was loved (and hated) by hundred of thousands. She was very much a celebrity with a bull’s eye on her back. And Spitzer took aim.
First, he charged her with insider trading. Then, when he couldn’t make those charges stick, he had to fall back on that tired cliché of “Obstructing Justice.”
It worked.
Martha went to prison and – Poof! – like magic, Eliot became a household name. She got a cell and an ankle bracelet. He got a leg up in his political ambitions. (Anyone who thinks only corporate moguls step on others on their way up the ladder of success should think again.)
Now, Ann Coulter is playing the game, possibly to promote sales of her latest book. (I guess if Star Parker can go on Bill O’Reilly’s show and plug her new book during a debate, Coulter can promote hers while ragging on Bush’s pick for the Supreme Court.) As a dyed-in-the-wall Capitalist, I see Marketing as a cornerstone of that economic philosophy. However, Coulter is a columnist who supposedly speaks for conservatives and, therefore, what issues she picks to focus on reflect on other conservatives.
Coulter, in an appearance last night (4 October 2005) on Fox News’ “Hannity & Colmes” stated that there was clear “cronyism” in Bush’s selection of Harriet Miers for the latest Supreme Court nominee.
Not very logical. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it could be Robin Williams rehearsing a new comedy routine. Based solely on Miers relationship with Bush as justification for such an accusation overlooks an important fact: We know best the qualifications and temperament of those we have worked closely with over the years. Bush picked a nominee that he knows very well.
As for Miers’ qualifications, that has yet to be seen. But for now, let’s hold off on the cries of “cronyism,” even if it does get us a few extra readers or book sales.
At the very least, you don’t speak for this independent, yet basically conservative, thinker.
Copyright © 2005 A.C. Cargill
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