How Obama Became a Publicist for His Presidency

By David Bromwich, TomDispatch Mar 10, 2014 Obama, it is said, takes himself to be something like a benevolent monarch -- a king in a mixed constitutional system, where the duties of the crown are largely ceremonial. He sees himself, in short, as the holder of a dignified office to whom Americans and others may feel naturally attuned. Dig deeper ( 16 Min. Read )

Trump’s Media Blitz: Cynical PR Stunt for “The Apprentice”?

Staff / Truthdig Apr 28, 2011 That's what MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell said on his show last week, when he admitted to his viewers that Donald Trump's recent "presidential tour" was never anything but a PR campaign by NBC to promote the next season of Trump's show, "The Apprentice." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israel’s Hope Kindergarten

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2011 In a biting bit of Israeli comedy, this video shows an Israeli kindergarten class that learns, for example, the perils of disillusioned leftism and the proper way to describe an Arab ("Sorry, I meant demographic threat  "). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israel on a PR Campaign

Staff / Truthdig Nov 29, 2010 Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is on a kick to improve his country’s standing in Europe. His strategy? Develop a cadre of “allies” abroad who will serve as walking PR agents for Israeli policy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Now Hear This: U.S. Aids Pakistan

Staff / Truthdig Aug 15, 2010 The US is providing the largest humanitarian response of any country to the devastating flooding in Pakistan, but its goodwill isn't altogether altruistic Part of the motivation is to clean up the American image in a country where 68 percent of the people have a negative view of the U . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

News Flash: Dark Coffee May Not Be Super-Terrible for You

Staff / Truthdig Mar 23, 2010 So, we get that there might be some "tummy-friendly" benefits to drinking dark-roasted coffee. However, this Science News article extolling the virtues of the duskier blends lays it on a bit thick on the pro-coffee front, mentioning little in the way of possible side effects. (continued) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Santorum Wants to Be President, Has a Poo Problem

Staff / Truthdig Sep 15, 2009 Rick Santorum is thinking of running for president, but he has a serious PR problem The former senator's rampant homophobia inspired sex columnist Dan Savage to launch a campaign to usurp the conservative's name The result: If you type "Santorum" into Google, you'll find that, in addition to a former senator, it refers to . Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

PR Worries Stalled Release of Gitmo Inmates

Staff / Truthdig Feb 13, 2009 A 2006 memo from the State Department to the US Transportation Command suggested holding Guantanamo detainees after they had been cleared in order to avoid bad press "Got it Thank you," was the reply, and indeed, no prisoners flew out of Guantanamo for three months. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

NYT: Pentagon Primed TV Military Experts

Staff / Truthdig Apr 20, 2008 The Bush administration's skill in working the media to promote its interests is not a new story, but The New York Times has just uncovered a new twist: According to the paper, administration insiders courted a troop of retired military men to serve as trained PR agents for the White House on major broadcast outlets. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Damage Control Time for Blue Cross

Staff / Truthdig Jul 10, 2007 A Blue Cross exec sent out a memo with talking points to help company employees handle the fallout resulting from filmmaker Michael Moore's scathing take on the American healthcare system, "SiCKO" -- and Moore got his hands on it. Oops! (H/t: Crooks and Liars) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )