Politician in admitting mistake shocker
February 4th, 2009 by Jon ClementsHis hiring skills may be in question today, but President Barack Obama has passed the most fundamental of PR tests with flying colours.
However, I’d like to warn readers that the following paragraph contains graphic language which may shock and cause people to wonder whether the President is, in fact, a politician at all.
Mr Obama - and I reiterate, a person elected to public office - said: “It was a mistake; I screwed up.”
If you are still there, without the aid of smelling salts, well done. And well done to Obama for understanding that if you have messed up - in this instance with the hiring of Tom Daschle as part of his cabinet - then say it as honestly, clearly and quickly as possible. While your credit rating is high, take the opportunity to show your failings, along with your resolve to put it right. Not only will they forgive you, but it puts you way ahead of the usual slipperiness of tongue that distinguishes elected officials the world over.
Yet again, Obama provides a masterclass. Let’s just hope he gets his HR sharpened up, and spots those references to “tax problems” buried at the bottom of the CV.
Tags: I screwed up, obama, Tom Daschle
February 4th, 2009 at 10:05 am
It was interesting to hear on Sky News this morning that the Republicans had jumped on this as a sign of weakness. Perhaps this shows that they still haven’t learnt from the events of the past year.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Mark - Bush refused to admit mistakes at any point in his presidency (well, until it no longer mattered). and the crowds cheered as his helicopter whisked him away for the last time. Doesn’t that say it all?