Say it Like Obama and Win!: The Power of Speaking with Purpose and Vision, Revised and Expanded Third Edition, 3rd Edition

CHAPTER 8FACING AND OVERCOMING CONTROVERSY

Most leaders face controversy at some point in their careers. A slip of the tongue. An unintended slight. A miscommunication. A surrogate misspeaking. These and other circumstances can all give rise to difficult situations. Barack Obama has demonstrated a notable ability to survive controversy and thrive in the aftermath. He illustrates that, oftentimes, how you respond to controversy is more important than the controversy itself. Various controversies have derailed other shining political careers—Gary Hart’s affair, Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon, public doubts arising after “swiftboat” attacks on John Kerry. Barack Obama has faced his share as well—his association with Reverend Jeremiah Wright, ...