Ms. Rice maintains that she has no interest in running. But neither she nor her aides seem displeased by the attention. Almost obligatorily, Mr. Wilkinson insists that all of his image-making work "is in foreign countries."
Courtesy of The Weekly Spin: http://www.prwatch.org
SECRETARY OF THE FOURTH ESTATE http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/05/politics/05rice.html
http://leighm.net/images/foxycL.jpg
"Despite the time-worn diplomatic formula of quiet airport greetings
by often-dour foreign ministers," U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice has been welcomed by a falconer (with bird) in
Kyrgyzstan, a sumo wrestling champion in Japan, and athlete Nadia
Comaneci in Romania. Rice's "rock star status ... has been one
result of a deliberate strategy," writes the New York Times. Jim
Wilkinson, one of Rice's senior aides, organizes her "image-making
events," "serves as a gatekeeper" for people "who want to see her,"
and "is constantly looking out for image-making opportunities." The
resulting buzz has fueled speculation that Rice will run for
president in 2008, though she denies any "interest in running." One
result of this focus on image is that Rice's appearances have been
"skewed towards broadcast media. In October and November she gave 22
interviews to television and radio stations and only 3 to newspapers
and magazines."
SOURCE: New York Times, December 5, 2005 The Man Behind the Secretary of State's Rock Star Image...
