James Zogby: The Public Diplomacy Debate, Again

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The Public Diplomacy Debate, Again

One day in mid-January, President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to the grave of the slain civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. That very same day, Bush announced the controversial appointment of a federal judge who had been vigorously opposed by civil rights leaders. They were concerned by what they described as the appointee’s long record of hostility and insensitivity to civil rights issues.

While some analysts initially attempted to portray Bush’s visit to the King Memorial as an effort to court African American support, the controversial judicial appointment caused many to rethink their assessment of the White House’s intentions. Was it, they asked, a “bait and switch” tactic, that is, a symbolic gesture to one community while making a substantial appointment designed to appeal to his own conservative supporters?

In any case, at the end of the day, the net gain to the White House resulting from both efforts was probably “zero”. Bush had kept his own supporters happy but had gained no new friends.

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The Public Diplomacy Debate, Again