The Bush Shoe Incident: A PR Nightmare and a Lesson in Crisis Management

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From a public relations standpoint, the George Bush shoes thrown incident was a nightmare. However, the way the situation was handled provides a valuable lesson in crisis management.

How it Happened

On December 14, 2008, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw two shoes at President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad. The shoes missed Bush, but the incident was captured on camera and widely broadcast.

The Impact

The incident was a major embarrassment for the Bush administration and the United States. It was seen as a sign of disrespect for the American president and a symbol of the growing anger in Iraq. The incident also damaged Bush's personal reputation.

The Response

The Bush administration's response to the incident was widely praised. Bush himself remained calm and collected, and he later joked about the incident. The administration also quickly condemned the attack and vowed to bring al-Zaidi to justice.

Lessons Learned

The George Bush shoes thrown incident provides a number of valuable lessons for businesses in crisis management.

• Be prepared for the unexpected. The Bush administration had no way of knowing that al-Zaidi would throw shoes at the president. However, they were able to respond quickly and effectively because they had a plan in place for dealing with unexpected events.
• Stay calm and collected. In the face of a crisis, it is important to remain calm and collected. This will help you to think clearly and make the best possible decisions.
• Communicate quickly and effectively. The Bush administration quickly condemned the attack and vowed to bring al-Zaidi to justice. This helped to reassure the public that the situation was under control.

Success Stories

The following are three examples of businesses that successfully managed crises:

• In 2010, Toyota recalled millions of vehicles due to safety concerns. The company responded quickly and effectively, and its sales did not suffer significantly.
• In 2013, BP was involved in a major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The company responded slowly and ineffectively, and its reputation was damaged.
• In 2015, Volkswagen was caught cheating on emissions tests. The company responded quickly and effectively, and its sales have rebounded.

By following the lessons learned from the George Bush shoes thrown incident, businesses can improve their ability to manage crises and protect their reputation.

Tables

Table 1: Public Opinion of the Bush Administration After the Shoe Incident

Table 2: The Impact of the Shoe Incident on Bush's Approval Rating