“I am not a…”
By now you’re probably all sick to death of hearing about "Bridgegate" (or is it "Bridgehazi?"). But I wanted to chime in from a crisis media point-of-view just to ensure that none of you make the same mistake at your next nearly two-hour press conference. Rule One: Never say what you’re not when the cameras are rolling (as in, ”I am not a bully.”).
If you’ve been too busy playing the slots in Atlantic City to hear about the furor last week in the Garden State, here’s a recap:
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie used a one-hour and 48 minute press conference last Thursday to issue a public apology for the stupidity of his two aides who apparently got a little carried away with the power of their office and decreed that lanes be closed and traffic disrupted on the George Washington Bridge leading from Fort Lee, New Jersey to New York City.
(Tweet: Ann Coulter (@anncoulter): This is the longest press conference since Mark Sanford announced he was in love!).
This sinister plot was the best they could come up with to punish the evil Mayor of Fort Lee who said he couldn’t identify Christie in a police lineup if his life depended on it (or was it Christie who said that about the Mayor who didn’t endorse him?).
Upon learning about the conspiracy, Christie fired his top staffer with the innocent Irish name, Bridget Anne Kelly, who allegedly put the wheels in motion (or not) with the chilling command: "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." (A phrase for the ages, or at least a tee shirt).
(Tweet: Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler): "I've terminated Bridget's employment" presumably because her first name is a constant, painful reminder of the scandal.).
Replying to the email with the equivalent of “message received” was Port Authority Official David Wildstein who is currently lawyered up and pleading the Fifth. He got fired too but I’m sure he’ll be singing an operetta shortly, with Christie in the starring role.
From my professional point-of-view, I think Christie held his own during the press conference, even though it would have been better if the news had been broken originally by his office. He took on all comers and seemed genuinely embarrassed, remorseful and committed to righting the wrong.
But then he tripped up, which is easy to do when you’re talking off-the-cuff for hours.
(Tweet: Molly Ball (@mollyesque): As a reporter, I love Chris Christie. Unlike every other politician, he keeps saying different things the longer he talks.).
Christie flunked Damage Control 101 by echoing the “I am not a crook” Nixon line that dogged the former President throughout his political career.
It would be like me saying: “I am not a control freak.”
Or Delaware Republican Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell saying: “I am not a witch.”
Or Toronto Mayor Robert Ford saying: “I am not an addict of crack cocaine.”
Later amended to: “I’m not an alcoholic.”
Further clarified with: “Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine. But am I an addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably, in one of my drunken stupors.’’
You get the point.
But there are exceptions to this rule, of course.
Like when basketballer Charles Barkley said: “I am not a role model.”
Or when humorist Will Rogers said, "I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat."
Remember to tell them who you (really) are. Not what you’re not (really).
