Big Think

Facebook Kicked Me Out

As controversy about Facebook's new terms of service heats up, Howard Bragman questions why his account was disabled-Exactly which part of having a lot of friends violates the rules of social networking? Irony rarely shocks me anymore, but...

February 15, 2009, 9:05 PM

Caroline Kennedy: Don't Tear Down That Wall

Let me start by saying I don't live in New York and I'm not an expert on the sharp elbows world of New York politics. But what I do know, after 30 years in the public relations and image management business, is about people's public and private lives and how they intersect. Caroline Kennedy has been straddling a fine line for decades--she has managed to live a remarkably private life while being a scion of one of the most public families in history. Her father, her uncles, her brother and many of her relatives relished life in the public eye. She seems to taken after her mother by limiting her public appearances and attempting to seek a measure of privacy while living in a fishbowl. Think about it--we knew everything about her late brother--his love life; his test scores; his professional endeavors and ultimately, his death. Ironically, most people can't even picture Caroline's husband; don't know how many children she has; and can't recite her professional resume. And from one who spends his professional life managing public images, let me assure you--this is no small feat. Most Senators are public people who adore meeting people, shaking hands and the human interaction that is a necessary part of the political game. In just the handful of times I have had the pleasure of spending time with Senator Clinton she has been exquisitely prepared, always remembering my name, and amazingly engaging when in private conversation. You truly feel like you are the only person in the room when you are conversing with her. Senator Schumer is equally impressive. I met him once briefly at a fund raiser a few years ago and two years later when I ran into him at a private function, he not only remembered my name, he recalled our discussion topics. I didn't and he did. That's what a true public figure and political animal is and does. I met Caroline Kennedy once backstage at Good Morning America when I was accompanying one of my clients to the show. Considering what I do for a living, I got over the star struck thing decades ago, but this was a Kennedy and I took the effort to introduce myself. After apologizing for the intrusion I said that I wanted to thank her for all her family had given to this country and tell her that when I was four years old I heard her father speak and not only was it one of my first memories, it was something that would stay with me the rest of my life. She looked at me like I had just shit on her shoe and mumbled something incomprehensible as she turned her head and walked away uncomfortably. I am not here to judge her--we all have bad days and perhaps I caught her on one. But what I can tell you is that her reaction was not that of someone who would enjoy the public demands, ass-kissing and glad-handing required of a U.S. Senator. My judgment is broader than that of just my own experience. Historically speaking I grew up with Caroline Kennedy--we are roughly the same age and her family has held a dominant place in American politics for my entire life. Until she announced her intention to seek the soon to be vacant Senate seat, I respected the path of privacy she chose and believed that she was in touch with herself and the kind of life she wanted to craft for herself and her family. Recent events have caused me to question how well she knows herself. If she truly becomes the junior Senator from New York, she will risk the private life she has worked so hard to forge. My judgment is not political--I agree with most of the positions she has expressed and applaud her courageous support of gay marriage in particular. I don't like to be too simplistic but you either love life in the public eye or you don't. I don't believe she does. One celebrity once said that privacy is like your health--you take it for granted until you no longer have it. She is putting something she worked hard to create at great risk. Once her wall between public and private comes down, there's no turning back. There are many paths to public service and knowing of her many accomplishments and low-key activism I hold nothing but respect for her. But, I would implore her, for her own sake and for the sake of the citizens of New York, to look deep within her soul and make sure this is something that she not only wants, but that she is prepared to pay the heavy price required.

January 4, 2009, 4:51 AM

Wasting Away in Margaritaville

In the more than 20 years I have lived in the Los Angeles area, some of it in West Hollywood, I have never been to Barney's Beanery. Until 1984, when they were forced to remove it, they had a sign on their entrance proclaiming, "No Faggots Allowed." Why would I go where I'm clearly not wanted? Why would I support a business that doesn't want to be in business with me? I feel the same way about El Coyote, the venerable Mexican eatery that is suffering the effects of its owner donating to the recent "Yes on 8" campaign. You can't swing a dead cat in this town without hitting a Mexican restaurant. So am I really under some obligation to give El Coyote money that may eventually be given to groups that oppose my civil rights? I think not. I will guac elsewhere. Ron Prentice of ProtectMarriage.com disagrees with me. He is quoted in today's Los Angeles Times as saying that boycotters were, "unabashedly trampling on the rights of others." I find this particularly ironic since it's coming from a man and a group who have no qualms about kicking my rights in the cajones. Funny how the radical right had no problem when Southern Baptists attempted to boycott Disney and other enlightened companies for offering same-sex health benefits. That was alright. When we use the same tactic we're all wrong. From the time I began my own business I have been involved in the gay rights movement. My first client, in 1989 (pro-bono I might add), was a young man named Joe Steffan who was kicked out of the U.S. Naval Academy for his sexual orientation. In the nearly 20 years since then, I have had the honor of working with and representing virtually every major and minor GLBT organization. Because of my work, which I stand by proudly, I have had clients who chose to go elsewhere for their public relations needs. I was and am willing to accept that judgment -- the things I am fighting for are far too important for me to ignore the needs of my own community. But unlike El Coyote and other "Yes on 8" supporters, I am willing to stand by and own my political beliefs -- even when they may cause me economic harm. To my brothers and sisters in the GLBT movement and our friends, I urge you to use every legal and moral tool at your disposal to change hearts and minds. Peaceful protests, boycotts and community organizing are the tools of our trade and ultimately the things that will win this struggle. Tomorrow you will see me protesting at City Hall, but don't expect to see me sipping a margarita at El Coyote. I will not fund my own demise and I won't go where I'm not wanted.

November 14, 2008, 10:11 AM

Sarah Palin: She's Gotta Have It

After three decades of experience as a Hollywood "PR guy," one thing about up-and-coming celebrities has been a consistent theme for me -- some newcomers to the public eye become addicted to publicity and fame. It's a real addiction; they just don't feel complete without a daily dose of media attention. If you don't believe it, see what happens to virtually any reality star after they are 'kicked off the island.' Sarah Palin is one of these unfortunate people. She is not going to be fulfilled going back to the frozen obscurity of Alaska now that's she's had a taste of the "Big Time." Fortunately, they have a support group for people like her -- its called The U.S. Senate. Conveniently, it looks like convicted felon and Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is going to be reelected. the newly beefed-up Democratic majority in the Senate is going to take a certain glee in kicking him out as one of their first official acts. What happens next? Why, (feigned surprise) the Alaskan Governor herself gets to appoint a replacement. There's nothing stopping Ms. Palin from appointing the reflection in her mirror. True, she would have to run in 90 days, but as the, "most popular governor in America," that should be a snowmobile ride on a sunny day. For an ambitious woman with a bright political future Washington D. C. is truly the other "Magic Kingdom." She needs a cadre of advisors; direct marketers; PR people; advertisers; ghost writers; and countless others that will take "Brand Palin" to the next level. There are buildings full of Republicans in exile looking for their next gig. They are being downsized and she may be their lifeboat. One newscaster made the point that, "only 40% of people surveyed wanted Palin to run for U.S. President in the future." Only 40%? Hell -- McCain only got 47%. They have a name for that 40% -- it's called a "base." A few things are clear to me and anyone who has turned on a television in the last 10 weeks: the red-meat Republican base adores her and this base gets to decide who runs; she has "star quality"; there's nothing that's so ruined about her image that can't be fixed with time and intensive education; she will be a very formidable presidential candidate in either 2012 or 2016. This is not to say that I agree with her. We differ on almost every issue and it was clear to me from day one that she wasn't ready to serve and wouldn't help the ticket. Yet she has a bright political future. She has the ability to tell a story that motivates. She fills arenas and generates enthusiasm. And with the Republican Party's problems with the female vote, she could be the answer to many of their problems. Sarah Palin is not going quietly into the Aurora Borealis. This moose-hunting Momma and political gunslinger will be back. Anyone who underestimates her appeal and unbridled ambition has not seen the bodies left behind in her home turf of frozen tundra.

November 7, 2008, 8:47 AM

John McCain's Rose Garden Strategy

He may not know how to text message, but John McCain sure can see the writing on the wall. This morning's ABC News/The Washington Post poll gave Barack Obama a nine-point lead nationally. It was both statistically significant and the largest since both men have been made nominees. In addition, a host of state surveys came out too. Obama is looking good in electoral rich Pennsylvania, Michigan and Colorado. And perhaps most importantly, he is breaking the all-important 50% barrier. Not only were the polls bracing for the McCain campaign, the trend lines read even worse. By a wide margin the voters consider Obama better able to handle the economy. The last time the McCain campaign played offense was "lipstick on a pig." A lot has happened since them -- none of it good for McCain. They wanted to 'get the ball back;' and when Obama made his conciliatory phone call this morning, an already vexed McCain campaign saw a chance to steal the ball. The problems arising from this strategy are formidable. Obama made the first phone call. And when Obama did respond to McCain's suspension, he eviscerated McCain, saying he can, "deal with more than one thing at once." That could be one of the change lines in the campaign. It reinforces every negative stereotype about McCain and the Obama campaign can't be charged with, "playing the age card" since the opportunity was handed to them by McCain's own offer. Obama gets a chance to talk about his multi-tasking abilities; calm, cool mind; and steady hand on the rudder. And because of McCain's "the fundamentals of the economy are good" line last week he looks incoherent, opportunistic and alarmist. This suspension of this campaign for McCain holds other real risks -- most importantly, what if Obama goes to Oxford and holds an impromptu town hall meeting Friday night? It would get outrageous coverage all weekend on the 24-hour news shows, be the Sunday headlines in the paper and the buzz of the Sunday morning political shows. The news channel debate about the suspension is whether or not it is a political stunt (see Sarah Palin). That is not what the McCain campaign wanted the debate to be. They wanted to put Obama on the defensive and it's just not working. The late night comedians are trashing him, the snap polls show the public ain't buying it, and right after saying it he did an interview with Katie Couric. Over the next 72 hours we will see whether this risky strategy worked. But work or not, McCain knew he had to take a risk or he was headed for a double digit defeat. The issue of the economy is not going away between now and Election Day. And if the election is about the economy, McCain loses. Clinton 1992 taught us, "It's the economy stupid." McCain should have been listening -- Barack Obama was. Americans at every level are hurting with this crappy economy and some are just plain scared to death -- in many cases rightfully so. (Ironically, George W. Bush has finally brought us together.) When the history of this campaign is written it will go down as one of the key turning points in the campaign. This "Rose Garden Strategy" didn't work for Jimmy Carter and he was the incumbent. I don't see how it can succeed in these infinitely more cynical times. For McCain it will be seen as the beginning of the end.

September 24, 2008, 3:16 PM