The Politics Behind a Scandal
Though a minor campaign finance infringement during his 2004 senate bid for Missouri may have ended Jeff Smith’s career as an elected official, the New School assistant professor’s interest in national politics hasn’t subsided. Lately, he’s turned to giving advice for would-be followers and political figures. Besides teaching courses on campaign management at Milano, Smith contributes to The Recovering Politician with his own column “Do As I Say,” and just recently, sat for an interview with Krystal Ball on MSNBC’s The Cycle: How to Avoid Scandal.
In talking about his new stint as a ‘Dear Abby’ of sorts for public officials in compromised positions, Smith says he “usually counsel[s] people to just get it out there and tell the truth. It probably isn’t as bad as the potential embarrassment.” During the six-minute segment, Smith touches on the recent scandals of former New York Representative Anthony Wiener, Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.’s plea deal for misuse of campaign funds, and the current hoopla circling Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey. To watch the full interview, click here.