Image copyright 2007, The Washington Post
Today’s edition isn’t a new example of Penn fuckup-ery, but it’s something that I just discovered a couple of days ago.
As the whole world knows by now, while serving as Clinton’s pollster and "chief strategist," Penn retains his sinecure as CEO of Burson-Marsteller Worldwide. (As though serving as Clinton’s pollster and chief strategist weren’t already a full-time job - which, for Penn, it evidently isn’t, but that’s the subject of a future post.)
The chart above shows the hydra that is Mark Penn; its many heads include, of course, Penn’s own polling firm, Penn, Schoen and Berland (also to be the subject of a future post). Yeah, yeah, I know; none of this is news to you.
But notice, if you will, the firm directly across from Penn, Schoen and Berland in the B-M Worlwide orbit: BKSH & Associates.
Who are BKSH? Funny you should ask.
You’ll also note that the chart lists BKSH’s principals, one of whom happens to be one Charles R. Black, Jr. And who might Mister Black be?
Besides serving as chair of BKSH, Charlie Black is also the "dean" of John McCain’s campaign inner circle.
That’s right. McCain’s most senior strategist and closest adviser also draws his regular paycheck from Clinton’s [allegedly] most senior strategist, Mark Penn.
Conflict of interest much, Mark?
