Cheney Can't Escape

A couple of weeks ago, Cheney shot his friend while hunting. He managed the situation poorly and he is suffering the consequences. His error is still the center of media attention.

Last week on The Late Show, Bruce Willis, a guest, dressed as Cheney's victim. He wore hunting clothes and had a fake gunshot wound. In the program immdeiately following, the host discussed Cheney's accident during his monologue. More recently, Cheney was the subject of one of Jon Stewart's jokes during the Oscars.

The purpose of citing this list is simply to provide evidence that crisis public relations makes or breaks a person's reputation. Maybe Cheney's reputation was already sub-par, but the way he dealt with the hunting accident didn't help. He mishandled the situation and, in doing so, he ignited a fire that has yet to die out.

If Cheney had communicated openly and honestly with the public initially, the attention given to him by the media would have subsided shortly after. However, Cheney avoided communicating with the public at first, causing rumors and stories to spread far and wide. Unfortunately for Cheney, the memory of his mistake may last forever, in the form of a law, Cheney's Law.

The Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Oscars