Watching #TrafficGate play out over the last two days, begs for some comment of how he handled this issue. Gov. Christie must be commended for his expert handling of this PR Disaster in every respect.
Firstly, he immediately held a press conference, broke all known records for one lasting 108 minutes or longer, and spoke directly and 'hopefully' honestly to a room full of media, who were transfixed by his frank and no nonsense approach.
Love him or Hate him, he did exactly what any professional PR person worth their salt, would have advised him to do, and he did it brilliantly. Many who have gone before him and mangled their PR crises, could take a leaf out of his book.
The list of political debacles and their media responses to a media outcry is legendary - Clinton, Sanford, Weiner, Spitzer, Radel, and the list goes on.........However, very few of them went straight out and admitted wrong doing or took immediate responsibility for their actions. Hence the fallout was dire and often fatal.
Christie on the other hand, came out with guns blazing. He promptly fired all the offending aides, held a marathon press conference and then drove over to see the NJ Mayor to apologize, even after the hapless Mayor said to delay this trip! This is how one deals effectively with a crisis. With Immediate Effect!
Only time will tell if the Christie teflon will protect him on his journey and his very obvious eye on the White House in 2016. One thing that sadly will affect his bid is his weight. If there is anything he can personally do to fix his image - he would be well advised to do it - and fast!
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