Mark Penn, Karen Hughes Team Up On Corporate Crisis Group

The Wall Street Journal reports (password req.):

Two hard-charging political operatives are teaming up to create a bipartisan consulting organization to advise corporations in crisis -- as they work to burnish their own reputations as well.

Former Clinton strategist Mark Penn, chairman and CEO of public-relations firm Burson-Marsteller, is hiring former Bush adviser Karen Hughes as a vice chairman, the principals say. The political combatants, known for their partisan efforts, decided to combine forces to offer a one-stop crisis-communication and public-affairs shop to corporations caught in front-page headlines or faced with a changing Washington.
[odd couple]
Associated Press
Mark Penn, right, former Clinton strategist, is hiring former Bush adviser Karen Hughes in pursuit of bipartisan success at Burson-Marsteller.

It's a comeback effort of sorts for both players. Mr. Penn, 54, who served as chief strategist and pollster for Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, has been blamed in recent months for her failed candidacy. Ms. Hughes, 51, who came to Washington with President George W. Bush as his communications director, left her State Department position several months ago after making little progress on her mission to improve the U.S. image around the world.

"Mark and I share a vision that communications people should be strategic advisers ... and an understanding of the realities of the political process," Ms. Hughes said. "And we also share the same lawyer."

The deal was brokered by Robert Barnett, a Washington superlawyer who earlier represented each of them on their books. Mr. Barnett is increasingly a broker between strange bedfellows. He is currently negotiating between the campaigns of Sen. Clinton and likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama over relieving her campaign debt, determining her convention role, and making joint appearances.

Comments

[carex]

Horrible, Horrible people.

In a perfect world they go broke.

[KevinMast]

They are both repulsive. They are the epitome of slimy politics. YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mistlesuede]

I can't add anything to that besides the fact that I don't understand what this is going to do to fix their images. I think it was referred to as a comeback in the article. It's just more of the same slime they've always been involved in.
Ugly people and ugly ideas.

[NotMcCain]

Remember, Charlie Black (McCain's top advisor) is Penn's business partner. They are both corporate shills and It wouldn't surprise me if Penn is a bona fide Republican, just like Hughes, just like Black.

I still wish someone had asked about the Penn-Black connection during the campaign. DID McCain and Hillary's campaigns coordinate attacks on Obama through these two? It certainly seemed that way, but no one EVER asked--or even pointed out the connection.

Now, we'll never know. Too bad.

Karen Hughes is another one of the lying Bush administration who should not be walking proudly around and yet--here she is, getting richer from her political connections, just like the rest of Bush Co. Disgusting.

[JohnTalbutt]

I did repeatedly on HufhP.. Charlie Black has also represent Mobutu, Savimbi and Ferdinand Marcos. He began his career as a staffer for arch racist and death squad advocate Jesse Helms.

[Yuma]

They are so rich!
F$$K!

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Right up there with Astaire & Rogers, and Carville & Matalin.

[Gericault]

300 hundred big hillary donors aren't backing Obama.
I had this little feeling that they aren't paying the money because Obama won't play that game of quid pro qou bribery politics.
Mark Penn and Karen Hughes in bed together? It just goes to show what 20 years of political dynasties get you . Dysfunctional, corporatocracies that are bleeding the people.
I'm ready for the revolution. Go Obama

[ebm]

Why don't the Hillary backers who will not support Obama donate to her then?

Everyone expects Obama supporters to bail her out.

[idabamaho]

Mark Penn and Karen Hughes in bed together?

Now that's a visual. Let's see, I have Flint's number here somewhere....

[chriss0114]

The Hillpeople all want royal titles and positions in the campaign as well as O to pay off HR C debt first just like HillBilly waited until O and M paid the max amount to HR C campaign before they wrote their check.

[neesy08]

this should make for a interesting union. He cannot even run a campaign properly.

[DasBoot]

Do I see a new reality show in the making?

Seriously, I just threw up in my mouth a little. Thank god the Hillary torch passed us.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

If they have kids, can we throw them in the Nile?

[Insideout143]

Yeah, those hefty corporations need lots of help... forget about the rest of us peons.

[tallky]

This is too much to take in . . . photos of his penthouse refurbishing still in my mind and her bad bad hair days - not to mention her out of touch dress; her comments abroad in that odd role she took on to raise the opinion of our world audience re the tarnished image we gained during her tenure!! Karen Hughes, a Texan who never got it and Mark Penn, whose ego must need further investment from his buckets of money - question is, where is the pool of interest? WHO would hire them based on what? Scary.

[RedNane]

There is not a soap and or deodorant that can clear the scum and slime from these two. I guess they deserve each other and Karen is so used to cleaning up the manure left from her darling Bush.

[LittleBrother]

I don't care what Penn and Hughes do with each other, as long as they don't reproduce!

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Oop. You beat me to it. See above (if they let it through).

[felinetta]

God makes them and pairs them. Two nauseating slimy humanoids. And yes, Hillary does show herself to be a good Repuke! Howard Wolfson on Faux News and now Penn.

[naschkatze]

Lanny Davis and Geraldine Ferraro also on Faux News. Clintonistas--good Democrats all.

[seenitall]

excuse me, I have to shower with a brillo pad....

[LeaveArtieAlone]

Idiots with power---this theme is so tiresome!