Scott McClellan, Adams and Reese, Perdiago and Truth

The spin stops with Scott McClellan, or will it.

After a week of mea culpas from former President George Bush Press Secretary, we now are told there are spin doctors who make up a Washington culture and some work at the White House.

Gee, what a revelation.

The truth is, the spin doctors are found in so many political cultures-- from Washington DC to New Orleans to Baton Rouge to Kingdom Come.

We can debate ad nausea whether McClellan was morally right for writing what he did, whether his book is accurate, and whether he is writing for profit only.

But, the most important general question comes down to a major point—to whom does the press secretary or information director owe an allegiance—whether that person is working for the President, a US Senator, a Governor or a Mayor or any candidate or government official?

Bill O’Reilly has coined the phrase “the spin stops here” but he is wrong. The spin is moving faster than ever, it has never stopped and is proceeding at a pace so fast that the credibility of government is becoming dysfunctional and incredulous.

I personally had this very debate with a press secretary approximately two months ago. It was then, and it is my position again, that the the press secretary’s duty is to the public, not the boss.

When a Press Secretary knows that the information is dubious, they have a choice. They can question the veracity, tell us the truth or can quit the job in protest.

In many cases, these people are being used by our politicians and by our public officials. Sometimes it is being done by members of the private sector.

I am not giving credit to McClellan since I not know know his true motivations. However, I think he should be given credit for at least admitting that he fed us information he knew was questionable and has spawned the discussion of the obligations of the press secretaries.

Information directors, PR people and press secretaries can provide us valuable information, when the content is truthful.

When the goal is to protect the boss only, it only fuels the highest degree of suspicion and anger from the media (and the public) that the boss is being dishonest and so is the press secretary. The public is getting too shrewd. We know when we hearing talking points uttered by talking heads.

Emphasizing the positions of politicians or elected officials can be a very good thing when used properly. But, when that disseminator of information has reason to know the information is not accurate, misleading, or a outright lie, they have a other choices. Foremost, they should consider the system and not their own personal pockets or prestige.

There is no other way that we are going to stop this political “gotcha” whether it is done at a local or national level. Various candidates and elected officials and political parties are always going to disagree. Yet, the political discourse will continue to degenerate especially during this very political season until these spokespersons in the industry stop the “bull” and start feeding us the “real meat”. As citizens, we are entitled to the truth and only the information purveyors can say loud and clear that the “spin stops here” It’s “high time” for them to take the high road.

Adams and Reese, Perdigao and Attorneys

It is a long road from the White House to Perdigao and Adams and Reese in Louisiana. But, in many respects, the same said above regarding public information providers should be said about attorneys. As one, I believe we have an obligation to scrutinize our clients and when we believe under heavy and careful analysis that the client is not telling the truth, we should withdraw from the case or not take the case, no matter what the financial consequences.

In Louisiana, an attorney who once worked for Adams and Reese has been indicted for allegedly stealing $30 million dollars. The defendant, now plaintiff in an associated case has sued his former boss, Adams and Reese, alleging a variety of claims that center upon corruption that involves very public individuals such as Robert Guidry, World Com, Edwin Edwards, Marc Morial, Tim Coulon and a host of other players. The claim against Guidry, the US Attorney’s Office, Adams and Reese, Bill Jefferson would be shocking, if true and could spring Edwards. However, the ultimate question comes down to who is telling the truth on all of these issues, Perdigao or Adams and Reese plus others who refute Perdigao’s allegations, yet have personal reasons to defend their own reputations. The federal complaint reads like a Grisham novel and the implications of the charges against Adams and Reese are mind-boggling. Perdigao is not just an average attorney. He alleges he was involved in “ethics” for the Adams and Reese firm, so the claims he is making potentially comes from an insider. Yet, some are wondering if he is truly an insider with knowledge or whether he is making up the entire story for offensive purposes. He claims he told his supervisors about many questionable practices—some that border on the criminal, if proven true . But, still, the issue is whether he is telling the truth on any or all of the allegations or if Adams and Reese has been wronged by the allegations.

Whatever the outcome of that case, it is likely that unless it is defeated on a procedural basis, we shall hear some very intriguing claims, hopefully full scrutiny of the alleged facts and a just outcome. Yet, it is likely the spin machines could be at full throttle in the prosecution of the cases. I believe, just as public information providers have an obligation to the public, not their employer, attorneys have an obligation to the public and the legal system and not just their clients. As the political and now the legal season begins to percolate, let us hope we get rid of the spin, which is not “in”. The truth will set us free although it might come at a price to those who are attempting to win at all costs.

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