https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Commentaries


Commentary

Weiner confirms ‘There’s no such thing as bad press’

Weiner confirms ‘There’s no such thing as bad press’

Anthony Weiner is back - how is that possible?
  • Written by Derek Prall
  • 11th June 2013

It seems Anthony Weiner is back, and running for mayor of New York. This, after tweeting pictures of his… well…

In 2011 Weiner’s political career imploded after the six-term congressman lied about, then admitted to, all manner of virtual carryings on. During a tearful press conference, a disgraced Weiner confirmed his digital philandering and resigned.

In the past, such a disgraced leader would have left the limelight for good, either from shame or because the electorate demanded it. But Weiner is back, and better than ever. Rebranded as a phoenix, rising from the ashes of his self-immolation, it would appear that Weiner is a martyr now — or something like it — a far cry from the man we chased with tar and feathers two years ago.

While it’s strange Weiner is back, the comfort he’s enjoying is even stranger. With no one backing him, he is left untethered. And with no bulky campaign machinery weighing him down, Weiner seems more nimble than his counterparts. The New York Times wrote of him as an easy-going maverick during his first debate, using the opportunity to set himself apart from his opponents. It’s clear Weiner is enjoying the spotlight that, two years ago, incinerated him.

The question is, would Weiner be getting this kind of attention if it weren’t for the scandal — or better yet, if it weren’t for his audacity to run despite it? (For those not based in the Empire State, can you name one other New York mayoral candidate?) Now I’m all for second chances, but I keep asking myself, how did we get here?

Despite our imagined Victorian sensibilities, Americans love dragging public figures through the mud while our thrice-divorced, opiate-addled pundits scream about family values. But we don’t vote for them again. Well, sometimes we do (looking at you and your Argentinian vacation, Mark Sanford.) So what does Weiner’s redemption say about American voters?

Is two years enough time to forget? Do we not care about the personal lives of our politicians anymore? Do we just think it’s kind of funny? Maybe it’s all of the above. Maybe we just like him. He’s a tireless campaigner, shaking hands and kissing babies while unapologetically rocking the boat. He’s charismatic and clever, but is that enough to convince a city of 8 million to hear you out?

I was living in Brooklyn when his scandal originally broke, and remember the New York Post’s ribald headlines (“Weiner to Endure Rough Sex Probe”? Really guys?) The press went wild, and now we’re back for round two. Only this time we’re not shaming someone out of office, we’re pushing him into it. It might be this has actually helped Weiner’s career, despite the odds. It’s certainly helped his name recognition.   

Whenever a scandal like this breaks, the public blames the press for reporting it, and the press blames the public for demanding it. It’s a tired song and dance, but in this case, if we’re not careful, we might keep talking about Weiner until he’s elected.

So who’s to blame? Everyone’s, I guess. Yet here I am writing about it, just like the rest of the ouroboros journalists.

Derek Prall is the assistant editor at American City & County magazine

Tags: Commentaries Commentary

Related


  • EPIC announces incentive program to help small municipalities replace lead pipes
    According to The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are an estimated 6-10 million lead service lines across the United States, causing a threat to drinking water supplies. The solution is removal and replacement of those lead pipes. Larger cities have programs to replace their lines, while smaller communities and under-resourced municipalities and water systems do […]
  • Clearing a path to multicloud as the new foundation for digital government
    To say that the last year has been challenging for state and local governments is a massive understatement. While citizens turned to their state and local agencies for guidance during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, state and local leaders were largely left to navigate the uncertainty without a roadmap or assistance from the Federal […]
  • Records Management Rapid Response Checklist
    Managing government records in today’s world requires that your organization is both prepared and agile, especially during these turbulent times. With a strong plan in place, your team will be prepared to handle these requests more efficiently, allowing you to focus on your priorities. Using this checklist, your agency can develop a multi-disciplined approach that […]
  • Overcoming 5 Common Challenges Facing Facility Managers
    Your building and facility portfolio represent your city or county’s largest financial asset. It’s also your second-largest expense and one of your most significant long-term obligations. With so much on the line, even the slightest improvement to facility maintenance and management can result in higher-performing operations, financial savings, and a significant investment return. Uncover the […]

Related Content

  • Cooperative contracts can be an entryway for small and diverse companies to successfully compete for government sales
  • Electric slide: Mayors form collaborative organization to purchase electric vehicles for cities
  • Celebrating the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic: Procurement professionals
  • Expanding opportunities: Nebraska’s bold procurement Concierge Program

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

EPIC announces incentive program to help small municipalities replace lead pipes dlvr.it/RxqtsL

16th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Clearing a path to multicloud as the new foundation for digital government dlvr.it/Rxqcgp

16th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Records Management Rapid Response Checklist dlvr.it/RxqR8L

16th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Overcoming 5 Common Challenges Facing Facility Managers dlvr.it/RxphXL

16th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Bridging the digital divide: Three questions community leaders should consider dlvr.it/Rxlth0

15th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Procurement department puts post-pandemic work plan in place to ensure continued productivity dlvr.it/RxgxjN

14th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

Georgia city moves to automated trash collection dlvr.it/RxX5Rl

12th April 2021
AmerCityCounty

The Community Game Changer: Library Outsourcing dlvr.it/RxLd6r

9th April 2021

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X