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

[ErnestineBass]

These two are teaming up to keep corporate dirty dealings out of the MSM. LOL

As if the MSM hasn't been doing a fine job at that BEFORE Hughes and Penn...

[druidlady42]

And the Hillary campaign expects Obama's supporters to help pay off HER debts to creeps like Penn and Wolfson??? She hired them to run her dirty campaign to destroy Obama; let HER pay them off!

[Marlyn]

Hillary really IS a Republican, isn't she?

[HopeGirl]

Yes, she is. Why do you think she interviewed with her old buddy Scaiffe. The media never reported on her very out there connections with the The Family, a right wing wacko religious sect thats believes in white supremacy and elites running the world. The New World Order. But then again our nominee did have a crazy preacher to obsess over.

Wolfson and Lanny Davis ended up at Fox.

I wish the Clintons would go run another country, anywhere-Iraq maybe.

We have to push through the media this time around. Not get sucked in to any of their crap.

The media's attempt to paint Obama with McCains weakness (flip flopping) is a tried and true Rove tactic.

The joke on the Nation is McCain doesn't need to lift a finger or spend a dime to do it.

The media is there to do it for him.

Disgusting.

[bikerdude]

And yet you see Senator Obama turning his campaign into exactly what Senator Clinton's was. Where in the world do you get all that hate?

[YankeeCanuck]

THey will undoubtedly be paid big bucks by a bunch of empty suits--an example of the empty-headedness and ethical bankruptcy of corporate "culture".

[eugenegerard]

If Mark could only dofor the corporations what he did for Hillary, the depression would get here faster.

[walkthewalk]

And Howard Wolfson is joining Fox News. It's so freeing to have no principles.

[Alexandro]

why am I not surprised......

[lennix]

now if we can just see mccain in the same light we will win this thing

[JiminNC]

There's a shocker, Penn the Hut has no loyalties!

[Marlyn]

Oh yes he does. He is loyal to the right wing. You got confused because you thought Hillary wasn't a Republican, but she is.

[Insideout143]

He has loyalties... money and power.

[Roopez123]

Penn, Wolfson and Lanny Davis. No wonder Hillary's campaign tried to destroy the democratic party.

[TrevorAlan]

Who would hire them, they are best known for complete and utter failures. Penn took a front-running Juggernaught candidacy and made it implode. His last client only came close to winning AFTER firing him.

[Marlyn]

And who would give Hillary a campaign contribution, knowing it was going to pay off her debt to Penn?

[BurtR]

Yes, TrevorAlan, that is what is so puzzling. These are the two most tone deaf people alive today. It is something out of a Dilbert cartoon. But there will be some idiot who thinks that access to power is more important than quality, which has been true for the last eight years but hopefully will be over.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

This is almost on par with the unholy alliance of Carville & Matalin... almost.

[Marlyn]

God, these people are such creeps.

[olivia]

Why does this feel so right?

[SEQUOIABISON]

Sounds like a perfect match he is working with a female republican again.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

Good one!