THE QUESTION
What Should Obama Do About His Blagojevich Problem?
When malfeasance or illegal behavior washes up at a leader's front door, how should he or she handle it, other than by offering full cooperation with an investigation?
Posted by Ben Bradlee and Steve Pearlstein on December 12, 2008 3:44 PM
FROM THE PANEL
Clean Our Own House
We suspect candidates might have ethical shortcomings, but we vote for them anyway with a wink and a nod, believing that just goes with the territory.
Posted by John R. Ryan, on December 16, 2008 9:07 PM
Our Better Angels
When things go wrong a leader's responsibilities go far beyond the day's press conference, and Obama has taught us something about public service through this scandal.
Posted by Ed Ruggero, on December 16, 2008 8:59 PM
Preempt Wrongdoing
Leaders cannot afford to wait until malfeasance or illegality washes up at their front door. They must set a tone of ethics and transparency in their organizations.
Posted by Gen. Monty Meigs (Ret.), on December 16, 2008 8:47 PM
Special Investigator Needed
The President-elect needs to make sure he is not seen as sitting on the sidelines. Meeting with congressional leaders to identify a special investigator might be the right step.
Posted by Bob Schoultz, on December 16, 2008 8:41 PM
Disclosure -- Or Legal Advice
If you have nothing to hide, disclose everything right away. If you do, find a good lawyer.
Posted by Slade Gorton, on December 16, 2008 8:37 PM
Move On
Obama has repudiated him. Now he should move on to more pressing problems.
Posted by Frances Hesselbein, on December 16, 2008 8:06 PM
Democrats Need to Police Themselves
President-elect Obama's ethics policies and campaign promises for government reform are a great start, but the Congress and the Democratic Party have to step up to the plate, too.
Posted by Paul Schmitz, on December 15, 2008 2:35 PM
Try the Warren Buffett Way
Even a hint of an ethical lapse can destroy a reputation of integrity. When scandal hit Salomon Brothers in 1991, Warren Buffett set a gold standard for restoring a culture of integrity.
Posted by Michael Useem, on December 15, 2008 2:26 PM
It's All About Character
Tell the truth and tell it fast.
Posted by Norm R. Augustine, on December 15, 2008 2:24 PM
Don't Apologize -- Be Human
Full cooperation is certainly a necessary part of the response, but I think the situation also provides an opportunity for Obama to help his constituents begin to understand and appreciate his fallibility.
Posted by Roger Martin, on December 15, 2008 2:07 PM
Commit Acts of Candor
There is only one way to deal with allegations or illegal behavior and that is total transparency.
Posted by Warren Bennis, on December 15, 2008 1:55 PM
Insist on His Resignation
Obama should stay at arm's length from Blagojevich and continue to insist the governor resign or be impeached.
Posted by Bill George, on December 15, 2008 1:52 PM
Push Ethics to the Forefront
Ethics is a daily proposition and not just a backstop to employ when things go wrong. Obama should establish that his administration has no room for self-serving public servants like Blagojevich.
Posted by Barry Posner, on December 15, 2008 1:38 PM
Send a Clear Message
Here's a chance to show us "change" applies to the way politics is conducted.
Posted by Jim Kouzes, on December 15, 2008 1:17 PM
Turn It Into an Opportunity
Incidents of misconduct threaten public confidence, but they are also an opportunity to reinforce important principles and demonstrate character.
Posted by George Reed, on December 15, 2008 1:05 PM
Be the Leader We Need
Rather than defensively answer questions, Obama should tell us he recognizes the governor's behavior is a symptom of the failure of leadership in this country.
Posted by Michael Maccoby, on December 15, 2008 1:00 PM
Be Thorough
The pressures for an immediate media strategy are enormous for President-elect Obama, but accuracy in fact-finding is far more important than speed.
Posted by Benjamin W. Heineman, Jr., on December 15, 2008 11:47 AM
Machiavelli's Advice
If Obama must choose between being feared and being loved, in this case he should choose to be feared.
Posted by Barbara Kellerman, on December 15, 2008 10:45 AM
Fight Other Battles
Obama should focus on the issues that are going to make the biggest difference to the the country, and this is not one of those issues.
Posted by Marshall Goldsmith, on December 15, 2008 10:34 AM
Play It Cool
Because he hasn't been implicated, Obama should maintain his distance from the governor's problem.
Posted by Abraham Zaleznik, on December 15, 2008 10:25 AM
Not His Problem
Obama should not make this his problem -- he has enough already, thanks.
Posted by Ken Adelman, on December 15, 2008 10:22 AM
Exam Time for Obama
How Barack Obama handles this potential political crisis could be as important as how he handled the dicey situations with Rev. Wright or Bill Ayres.
Posted by Howard Gardner, on December 15, 2008 10:14 AM
Keep the Pressure on Blagojevich
When scandal hits, leaders should address the issue quickly and forthrightly.
Posted by David Walker, on December 15, 2008 10:09 AM
Full and Prompt Disclosure
Presidents have learned through bitter experiences that the public will forgive them for making mistakes, but won't forgive them for lying about those mistakes.
Posted by Kurt Schmoke, on December 15, 2008 10:04 AM
Save & Share:
Nardwilly: Blagojevich is not in the Obama Chain of command. He has no responsibility for Blago or his problem. Blago is a seperate actor inside an...
Archarito: Barack should negotiate with Blagojevich and say,
"I'll produce my legitimate birth certificate showing I am a natual born citizen if you r...
PJTramdack: Barack does not have a Blago problem. Fitzgerald did everyone a big favor by flagging the governor BEFORE he sold the office, while the crim...
