When the Optics Become the Story

Erin Maguire and Kurt Bardella take on three stories where the message—and the messenger—become as important as the politics.

First, is AOC’s Buffalo Bills gear genuine fandom or political branding as she ventures far beyond her New York City district? Then, Erin and Kurt put on their crisis-communications hats to examine an Ithaca-area prosecutor’s media tour and why sometimes the smartest strategy is to stop talking. Finally, they unpack the backlash to Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ “Brad” ad promoting work requirements and why she chose to double down rather than apologize.

From authenticity to damage control, it’s a look at what happens when political optics become the story.