Observed

What is it about Frank Rich?  What could he possibly have to say about media and politics and public affairs?

Here’s a guy who has spent most of his career as a film and theatre critic.  A guy who studied American history and literature on his way to his bachelor’s degree.

Not a lawyer, scientist, engineer or big-thinking PhD.  Or any other vaunted professional with *hard* credentials.

Yet, I invite you to read his column in this morning’s New York Times.  Regardless of what you might think about his bias, I bet you’ll finish feeling more respect for Rich’s facility with hard issues.

Rich can navigate the vagaries of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and our war in Afghanistan as easily as the plays of Moss Hart and life in post-WWII New York City.  Rich is an embodiment of what we used to regard as a well-educated person.

Is that because he pursued a liberal arts education?  Probably not…or probably not just because he pursued a liberal arts education.

But it didn’t hurt.

The recent story of Gen. Stanley McChrystal reminds me of a PR truism. As a rule, it’s better to publicize any bad news yourself.

Why?  First, remember that bad news will very probably get out with or without you…eventually.  There are just too many disgruntled employees, competitors and other forces beyond your control.

Next, don’t wait for a leak or let an enterprising reporter beat you to the punch.  When — not if — a bad-news story gets out without you, it will tend to make you look arrogant (or more arrogant) and as though you have something to hide.  These will only worsen matters.

So, be the one to deliver your own bad news.  Let your customers, constituents, employees and others know before they learn about it from someone else.  Someone other than you who’s in charge of the facts and the truth — your message.

I don’t know what might have saved his job.  Who knows?  Maybe General McChrystal told the president and his other superiors that the cat was on the roof before the news got out.

As for the general’s chances of saving anything else, your guess is as good as mine.