As you’re scrolling down articles published in the Daily Post, reading the headlines, just below each headline, there’s a ‘pull quote’, which is, according to Wikipedia, “a key phrase, quotation, or excerpt, that has been pulled from an article and used as a page layout graphic element, serving to entice readers into the article…”
For example, this is the pull quote from an article I wrote, last Friday… “I’m baffled a lot, because high-tech devices are so smart, and I can’t always keep up with what they’re doing…”
Since I was first introduced to word processing, years ago, at work, technology has been, somewhat, baffling. And now, 40-plus years later, I’m still grappling with it. But one thing I thought I knew, pretty well, after all those years working in the PR business, was public opinion. Or, public perception, let’s use that word — perception — instead, because shaping and managing perception is what you do, when you’re in PR.
What’s baffling to me is lame-duck President Trump’s public image. And his partisans’ image, as well. What more can he — and they — do to tarnish perception of the Trump presidency?
Here’s a short-list of some of the things he – and they – have been up to:
- Mr. Trump refusing to concede to the winner of the 2020 election
- Mr. Trump claiming the election was rigged and fraudulent
- His demands, ad nauseum, for recounts in battleground states that were won by his Democratic Party opponent. What is it, now? Three or four recounts, so far, in Georgia, and multiple recounts in other states…Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania?
- His legal team filing lawsuits, ad nauseum, lawsuits with inaccurate information, typos and misspelled words. Like, the word – district – spelled “districct” and “distrcoict,” according to an article in The Hill. And that “bizarre news conference,” described by Business Insider, and other media, featuring Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, with hair dye running down his face, quoting “the comedy film, ‘My Cousin Vinny,’ to support his arguments.”
Other than, perhaps, undermining faith in the election, and forcing election officials to spin their wheels, what a waste! All those recounts and lawsuits!
By all accounts, the election was fair and square. But that didn’t stop Mr. Trump from firing the director of the government agency that played a key role in preventing election fraud and interference. And he’s been firing others, left and right, who happen to disagree with him. Even his own appointees, he’s firing them, too.
On TV, the other day, I heard a brand image expert describe President Trump as a “dusty loser.”
And, let’s see, what else? The president’s — and his partisans’ — persona? Their angry, scowling facial expressions, and their hulking, bullying demeanor.
In the perception business, persona is a big deal. Endearing, pleasing personas… that’s what you want people in the public eye to project.
I just can’t understand why so many people keep going along with this guy, and his partisans.
And, as I’m thinking deep thoughts, pondering this mystery — this conundrum — the White House press secretary is on TV, weighing in on alleged election fraud, with the bright, blue ocean off Florida and yachts in the background, as she’s delivering her remarks. While COVID is surging and people are suffering.
Forty-plus years in the perception business… and I’m baffled, befuddled and perplexed.
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.