Mike Paul's Blog - March 2008

Until The New York Times newspaper broke the story that would bring down the state's most powerful politician, Ashley Alexandra Dupre was hoping to become a household name . . . as a singer.

She's become a household name, but not as a singer. Instead, Dupre has gained notoriety as America's best-known hooker.

Client No. 9 just happened to be Eliot Spitzer, now former governor of New York State. A man who carved out a reputation as a crime fighter. He obviously set a different standard for himself. His hubris, ego, arrogance and stupid above-the-law attitude lead to his downfall.

Spitzer was forced to resign. His promising political career - some considered him a future presidential candidate - is in ruins.

Few have any pity for Spitzer. His political enemies no doubt are muttering under their breaths that it looks good on him. Politics, after all, is a blood sport.

The pity has been saved for his wife and daughters who amazingly, at least at this stage, are standing behind him, and Dupre.

The high-end call girl has become the poster girl for those who advocate for legalized prostitution, the theory being that it makes victims of those who practice the world's oldest profession.

Dupre is hardly an example of a downtrodden woman trying to feed her kids and make the rent payment.

She was earning an annual high six-figure income, working out of Manhattan's elite hotels and an expensive suite in the prestigious Mayflower Hotel, just four blocks from the White House, which is about as close as Eliot Spitzer will get to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The financial rewards will inflate her bank account for at least the remainder of 2008. Already two of her songs have been listened to by 200,000 visitors. Downloads are going for 98 cents a pop, up from a pre-scandal 20 cents.

Playboy and Hustler are locked in a bidding war to get her name a photo spread contract. Her scantily clad videos are now circulating on Youtube and the Internet overall, including a Girls Gone Wild video - big surprise there! And her former pimp, from working at another NY prostitution shop, has even made his way on CNN's Larry King and several other news shows exclaiming how Ashley Dupre was one of the best at what she did.

A few comments from the Reputation Doctor regarding Eliot Spitzer's reputation in crisis:

Never believe your own press. The media can easily become a drug.
Eliot Spitzer was called the Sheriff of Wall Street in the media hundreds of times and he loved it. It drove his mission. It allowed him to become Governor of the greatest state in the Union. Spitzer forgot he was part of a team in the Attorney General's office and he personally did not do much of the work of cleaning up Wall Street. His many aides did most of the work. He also forgot getting so much attention also brought with it many powerful enemies who had even more money than him to help bring him down. He also forgot the opposing political party was still in power in Washington and he was also on their hit list. Don't believe your own press. The press will quickly become an addiction and it will build you up and be just as happy to help tear you down.

Hubris, narcissism, arrogance and anger can easily lead to one's downfall.
Spitzer was a falsely proud man from a falsely proud family of men who loved to intimidate others and use power and money as tools of control. He is quick to anger and walked and talked with an arrogance which many hated. As a result, he was destined to fall like a house of cards. Timber! The stack was so big when it fell, it hit and hurt many associated with him. Especially his family, who not only still bear his burden, but also still bear his family name. A name that overnight went from being a name of power and privilege to a name one wants to now keep secret because of the shame and embarrassment associated with it.

Always have someone in your life who can hold YOU accountable.
Eliot Spitzer did not have someone in his life of such strong ethics, character and confidential trustworthiness who he could turn to for both advice and to share his darkest desires. He needed a major mentor, a confidante, a consigliere and a counselor. If he had a counselor he could have shared his problems with, I believe he would not be in the reputation crisis he has today. We as men (more than women) are often filled with more hubris and false pride. We also don't want to share our inner most feelings with others. We are afraid to be vulnerable. As a result, we suffer and many times, don't learn from others' mistakes. Well, here is another opportunity to learn valuable lessons from another man's mistakes. Hopefully, there is a lesson for all of us in Eliot Spitzer's tragedy.

Remember, do the right thing when your reputation is in crisis and seek the counsel of an experienced reputation management expert. It will be a major challenge, but ultimately the rewards of repairing your reputation will be great. Why? Because Your Reputation Is Everything!™

Mike Paul is editor of The Reputation Doctor blog. The Reputation Doctor is a nickname given to him by various clients. Mike's blog is located at www.ReputationDoctor.com. He appears regularly on Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, Court TV (now TruTV), ABC News, ESPN, CBS News, BBC, and others as a weekly contributor and expert in the global news regarding corporations, CEOs, celebrities, athletes, politicians and other public organizations and public individuals with reputations in crisis. Mr. Paul is also president and senior counselor of MGP & Associates PR (www.mgppr.com), a leading strategic public relations and reputation management firm based in New York. For interview requests, speeches, senior counseling or other business opportunities with Mr. Paul, call 212-595-8500 or email info@mgppr.com.

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Comment from: Edward [Visitor] · http://rapid4me.com

He better get prosecuted, i can't understand why he hasn't been arrested yet. Any regular person would be trying to post bail now. That just shows how messed up this goverment is. Preferention treatment!

Jan 18, 2010, 6:20 am

Comment from: Swing sets [Visitor] · http://kidgymzswingsets.com

I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it Smile I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
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Dec 17, 2009, 6:53 am

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About six weeks ago, I posted a blog stating I didn't think enough white voters in America would vote for a black man for President of the United States of America and leader of the free world. Although Senator Barack Obama has done surprisingly well, including in states made up of majority white voters, he is still facing a major battle from Senator Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. It appears super delegates will eventually decide who will be the Democratic nominee as Clinton and Obama continue to duke it out. However, if Obama wins the Democratic nomination, he must still face Senator John McCain, who has already become the Republican nominee. Remember, the general election is where the real race for President begins!

But I am still very impressed with Senator Obama. He has raised more money, especially in smaller amounts via the Internet, than any other candidate in the history of politics. Obama has also put together one of the best political teams in the history of politics. He has most of the younger strategists in the Democratic Party, as Hillary Clinton has most of the older strategists in the Democratic Party. Senator Obama is also going up against the Democratic "machine" politics of former President Bill Clinton and his candidate wife, Hillary Clinton. All of this has lead me to examine Barack Obama's reputation more closely. What makes Obama special? How did he come so far politically in such a short period of time? Where did he get the balls to go up against the Clinton political machine? I call it the Obama Mojo. He has it and no other candidate left in the Presidential race can say the same. Senator Obama's greatest tool in this Presidential race is his mojo, his personality, his reputation.

A few comments from the Reputation Doctor regarding Senator Barack Obama's reputation:

Obama's natural personality and character as the calm in the storm is very Presidential and we love it.
We love a candidate who has the maturity to be the calm in the storm and this election cycle is the perfect storm for Obama. American citizens are not patient any more. We are sick and tired of the same ol' same ol'. We are sick of lies, we are sick of war, we are sick of the economy, we want good jobs, good health insurance and honest leadership and we want change now. We also want a President who is a crisis manager and the calm voice in a chaotic world. Obama seems to be just that.

Barack is a symbol of true HOPE for both the U.S. and the world.
Obama knows how to instill hope in the minds of American and world citizens. We must remember the entire world is looking at this election too. Obama knows this is the perfect political storm. He is a charismatic speaker. He can combine the words of MLK, JFK, Bobby Kennedy and Ghandi and make it sound so fresh, new and relevant to voters today. He knows that hope is not something you have experienced, but something you put faith in as a dream seeking for it to become a reality. Obama knows how to pull on our heart strings in hope of reaching our minds. Most importantly, many people follow him and believe in him because he truly believes he can do a better job as President. His confidence, his natural leadership ability, his character all hit a soft spot in those voting for him. They believe. They have hope in Obama's to become all of our dreams for change.

Senator Obama seems to have the will and the momentum for change within the American people leaning his way before the general election.
Many Americans are sick and tired of the same old rhetoric in politics and still more are saying they are not going to take it any more. Many Americans are ready to vote for change. Like JFK and Bobby Kennedy in the 60s, Americans are seeking a true leader who can walk the walk and not just talk the talk. At times, Obama's inexperience is a great advantage because he doesn't have a track record to really tear apart. He must lean on hope. We must put our faith in his hands to vote for him. He hope he is being transparent, truthful, sincere and we also hope he can actually do the job he says he can do. As a result, Obama's momentum continues to grow. Simply put, the more people who meet him and hear him, seem to like him and believe him.

However, will his personality, his character, his reputation be enough to win? Will Obama kick it up a notch higher than he is today to actually win the general election? Can he beat both Clinton in the primary and McCain in the general election? Are America's 50 states more blue or red these days? Is America REALLY ready to vote for a black man as Commander and Chief and leader of the free world? I will say this: if Obama loses, it will not be because he is not ready. It will be because America is not ready to move beyond the past and into the future.

Mike Paul is editor of The Reputation Doctor blog. The Reputation Doctor is a nickname given to him by various clients. Mike's blog is located at www.ReputationDoctor.com. He appears regularly on Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, Court TV, ABC News, ESPN, CBS News, BBC, and others as a weekly contributor and expert in the global news regarding corporations, CEOs, celebrities, athletes, politicians and other public organizations and public individuals with reputations in crisis. Mr. Paul is also president and senior counselor of MGP & Associates PR (www.mgppr.com), a leading strategic public relations and reputation management firm based in New York. For interview requests, speeches, senior counseling or other business opportunities with Mr. Paul, call 212-595-8500 or email info@mgppr.com.

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