Getting Spin with a Little Help from Friends

"As House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) faces increasing scrutiny over various allegations of ethical lapses, a powerful cadre of friends and colleagues is stepping up to help protect his image," reports PR Week. DeLay legal advisor and former Republican National Committee strategist Barbara Comstock heads the group, which includes DCI Group's Stuart Roy and Edelman's Jonathan Grella. They are "placing supporters on cable news channels and radio talk shows," distributing talking points to conservative groups, and asking "prominent conservatives," including Ketchum's Susan Molinari, "to speak out on DeLay's behalf." This "unofficial PR offensive" is separate from DeLay's congressional office, which "developed its own media war room to combat the accusations." On the other side, Fenton Communications is working with MoveOn.org, Campaign for America's Future and Common Cause "to tarnish and ultimately unseat" DeLay.