Public Opinion and the Spying Controversy

Newswise — "From a public opinion (political view), three points are relevant," says UAB political communications expert Larry Powell, Ph.D. "First, the issue is another cut into Bush's credibility, coming after a string of bad news for him. The administration has been trying to cover those leaks with Band-Aids, but they are starting to take wounds all over their body. Second, their defense on the wiretaps looked considerably weaker after NBC News replayed a clip from several months ago in which Bush is pictured saying that wiretaps should only be used when obtained with a court order. That Band-Aid is coming loose. Third, the whole issue goes to the heart of the ethical values of the Bush White House. They came in promising to restore values and ethics to the White House. While the Bush administration has not suffered from the sex scandals that plagued the Clinton administration, there have been enough incidents like this " along with delays on the torture issue " to raise questions about the ethical base behind the White House decisions." Powell teaches courses in communications management and mass communications at UAB. He has worked as a communications consultant and is co-author of the book "Political Campaign Communication: Inside and Out" (2003).