Anthony Weiner, the disgraced ex Congressman of Twitter fame, is looking to make a political comeback. Earlier this year he had polling done for a possible run for mayor of New York City or Comptroller. It seems that his political comeback plans are accelerating with a recent spread in the New York Times Magazine discussing his scandal and rehabilitation. Can he make a comeback? Yes he can. American politics is filled with politicians who came back from scandal. In South Carolina we are witnessing the return of Mark Sanford, so Anthony Weiner’s comeback is not that improbable. After all Americans are a forgiving people. So what should Weiner do for his political comeback, now that he had done the New York Times?
·The worse thing that can happen to a politician is to become fodder for late night comedy. Dan Quayle never recovered. Anthony Weiner jokes are still used in late night monologues. My first advice would be go on one of the late night shows. Weiner should poke fun at himself and defuse the situation. Get Letterman or Leno or Kimmel to laugh with him and not at him. That will get him past the laugh test which will be his greatest hurdle.
· Exhaust the media by holding a press conference. Everyone knows Weiner is gearing up to run for office. The question on everyone’s mind when it comes to Weiner isn’t crime in New York City or taxes or quality of life. It’s his marriage and the scandal. Talking to the New York Times won’t end these questions indeed they have increased the media scent. Hold a press conference before announcing, answer anything the media wants until they can’t think of anything else and then refuse from that point on to answer anything else. This tactic works and if the media keeps going after the press conference, the public will be on Weiner’s side thinking he has taken enough. And above all else be remorseful when answering questions. Show that you have learned from your mistake.
·Adopt an issue that New Yorkers care about. Weiner is known as a publicity hungry politician and of course his Twitter scandal. To get past that and be serious about elective office, he needs to adopt an issue that New Yorkers care about and be identified with it. If he can do this and own the issue, this will go a long way in making him serious.
· Demonstrate in appearances and interviews, that you and your wife have dealt with the issue and she is behind you. Open up to every detail of the pain, anger, and then forgiveness that happened so voters can forgive.
