An Open Letter to Sarah Sanders: The Press Secretary in a Time of Truth

Dear Ms. Sanders,

Your position as spokesperson and communications conduit for the White House is challenging and is vital for the public. While you do not set policy, it is your job to explain it and to carry the questions of journalists back to the President. It is your job to listen as well as announce. It is your job to craft a message that is both true and believable. It is your job to project confidence and clarity through the words of the White House.

Your Amplification of the Message

You have done an admirable job as an amplifier of the message of the President. You have rarely contradicted his own words and you have neither subtracted nor added to his policy. However, the public requires more than just amplification. They need explanation and foundation. The public needs to know why and how, and that has been missing. Craft a message that resonates with truth and clarity.

The Lying Conundrum

Compared with your boss, you are an amateur liar. You need to up your game because Fox News only hires professionals. The Ron Ziegler story is a sobering reminder. Ron Ziegler, the press secretary for President Nixon, was once asked by a reporter, ‘When you get out of bed in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror, and you think “I am about to tell an incredible lie when I get to work because that’s what I do for a living,” what do you do?’ His response was simple but profound: I shave. This is a reminder that the optics of truth should be maintained, even if the truth is not evident.

Conscience and Integrity

Sarah, grow a conscience. Quit that undoable task or tell the truth. Being a professional in the realm of truth and accuracy should not be an undoable task. If you cannot deliver the truth and maintain clarity, it is your responsibility to admit it and face the consequences. Dishonesty in politics can have severe repercussions, both for you and for the public trust.

Competence in Communications

You have a daunting task of working with journalists who are often looking for inconsistencies and errors. However, rather than attempting to develop a true working relationship, you have exacerbated an adversarial relationship. You have championed the President's view of the press as the enemy, which is a failure of communication. It is essential to take the messages of journalists back to the President and foster a collaborative environment.

Bridging the Gap

Your time on the podium has not helped the White House instill confidence in the public. You need to bridge the gap between the message and the people's understanding. Help our President and the public. You are the face of our democracy.

Conclusion

Sincerely,

Hazzan Rob Menes
Executive Director
Engineer Cantor