Rachel Mills: How NOT to Spin an Issue Correctly

[He Who Pawns]

A spokeswoman for Paul confirmed that the episode took place but declined to provide details. “We don’t want it to distract from his message,” said press secretary Rachel Mills. “Now is the time when people need to be listening to him on economic issues.”

That is the clumsiest spin attempt I have ever seen in my life. Wow. Just transparent and bad. The correct response to getting duped by Bruno or Ali G or Borat is to laugh it off and say, "Yep you got us." Note how Bob Barr and Pat Buchnan handled their encounters with Sasha, and actually came out ahead.

These characters like Borat and Bruno are expert at exposing douchebags. When people react all upset, especially after the hoax has been revealed, it makes them look like idiots.

Sorry, but Rachel Mills failed miserably with this spin attempt, and she should push the reset button and come up with a better spin FAST, because there will be a lot of interest in this story about RP and Bruno.

 

[Mort]

Its better than haha you got us. She got a little bit of policy in there.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Sorry, but I'm failing to see the major part of your claim. Rachel's response didn't appear to be to "react all upset". Her response seemed quite calm and reasonable to me.

 

[ladyjade3]

noted.

 

[He Who Pawns]

The reporter asked a question about Bruno, not about the economy. You answer the question and move on.

Again, note how Buchanan and Barr handled it. They laughed it off and said, "Yeah, that was strange!" with a chuckle and a smile.

 

[gls]

Why should they play along with Cohen’s attempt to marginalize Paul?

Rachel Mills is right. Paul is a serious man leading the fight against fascism. There is too much at stake to waste time on childish pranks.

 

[Mort]

The reporter asked a question about Bruno, not about the economy. You answer the question and move on.

Again, note how Buchanan and Barr handled it.

Ya no point in scoring political points we aren't trying to win people over or anything. Oh wait that's right, the country is falling apart and we are trying to change policies.

 

[MRoCkEd]

I think the response was fine.
They got the joke, as noted by Jesse Benton who said "it sounds like it is going to be funny"

 

[jmlfod87]

I disagree whole-heartedly with the OP. After reading Slate's article readers unfamiliar with RP's economic views may be interested enough to do research. RPforumgoers should be more prudent in their criticism of RP officials, most tend to assume too much from such trivial incidents.

 

[He Who Pawns]

I think the response was fine.
They got the joke, as noted by Jesse Benton who said "it sounds like it is going to be funny"

Then maybe Benton should be answering these calls. Just sayin.

 

[MsDoodahs]

The whole entire THING is intended to DISTRACT FROM THE MESSAGE.

Why bother backing away NOW?

Those who intended to hurt the message GOT THEIR WAY.

Fuckers.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Then maybe Benton should be answering these calls. Just sayin.

Uh, let me think about that.

NO​

 

[MsDoodahs]

ROFLOL.

That was hilarious.

 

[Johnnybags]

err, best described as a

non event

 

[He Who Pawns]

The whole entire THING is intended to DISTRACT FROM THE MESSAGE.

Why bother backing away NOW?

Those who intended to hurt the message GOT THEIR WAY.

Fuckers.

No the whole THING is intended to be COMEDY. Get it?

Have you ever seen Ali G??

 

[Dripping Rain]

her response was way better than Benton's in my opinion. I still dont find it funny. especially when i havent seen it yet

 

[MsDoodahs]

No the whole THING is intended to be COMEDY. Get it?

Have you ever seen Ali G??

You're the one that doesn't get it.

It was intended to humiliate Dr. Paul.

I don't find that funny.

 

[He Who Pawns]

You're the one that doesn't get it.

It was intended to humiliate Dr. Paul.

I don't find that funny.

you should follow the yellow brick road and ask Oz for a sense of humor.

 

[jrskblx125]

Then maybe Benton should be answering these calls. Just sayin.

id have to agree.

 

[ladyjade3]

You're the one that doesn't get it.

It was intended to humiliate Dr. Paul.

I don't find that funny.

I have to agree. I wish it had been Ali G - THAT would have been screamingly funny. I'm trying to be lighthearted about it, but its hard for me to see "humor" in this. Sry. But not finding it funny doesn't mean we have to take it so seriously.