A Bodacious Blago in C-Town

I can now “officially” face 2009 and catch up on blogging after turning in grades for nearly 100 undergrads students at the City College of New York (CCNY-CUNY). And, I can take a moment to share thoughts on Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (Blah-goya-vich), affectionately dubbed “Blago” by the press.

Blago’s appointment of Roland Burris to fill President Elect Barack Obama’s senate seat was a bold stroke of Chicago-brand strategic maneuvering, a.k.a. gutter politics!
Truth be told—I love it!

The great thing about today’s innovative media environment is the license to create words that literally “pop” with explanation as they accurately define and describe celebrities, politics and pop culture. Words like: “Blago,” “Obamanation,” “Brajelina,” and “TomKat.”

While I’m a staunch journalist/educator at heart and appreciate the power of refined English language, I appreciate “contemporary” vehicles such as blogs (weblogs), vlogs (videologs) and mobile communications that organically allows juicy ideas to flow.

I often encourage students to write in a conversational style that works across many media platforms and applications. Once you have your ideas ideas down, they can be shortened for mobile applications or lengthened for a feature piece or specialty online medium. Once you fully understand your hard facts and determine the vehicles for delivery, you can “tweak” the style to meet your needs.

The trick is to have strong a strong message.

That’s why I love the Blago story, which has it all! Indicted politician ... Al Capone-style mob intrigue … US Attorney General Patrick Fitzgerald (modeled in the tradition of “rid the Midwest of gangsters” lawman Elliot Ness) ... alleged monetary gain via the “sale” of a US Senate seat … Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. mentioned as “Candidate #5” in conversation transcripts.

You don’t have to be President-Elect to connect the dots and realize Blago could make some extra cash with a six figure book deal. Movie rights, anyone? Here in New York, near Brooklyn’s Silvercup Studios, I can hear Blago’s cell phone ringing as he ponders which agent can bring the best price for a reality show or TV movie.

His move was bold, brash, brazen and bodacious. While it remains to be seen if the Illinois Governor was working the phones in an attempt to hustle funds for a senate seat, one thing’s for sure. Blago knows how to work the press and press folks’ buttons.

That friends, is strong messaging.

It’s up to the government and the press to file facts for public consideration.
You and I can sort through the info and draw our own conclusions.

Hmm … Blago may want to consider a career in PR or marketing communications, because this is one gentleman who knows how to manipulate messages in a commanding way.