Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s panicky PR team sprang into action to deflect criticism of her holiday party excluding white elected officials last year, labeling it a “viral right wing controversy” and quickly trying to arrange interviews with favorable media, emails show.
The emails obtained in a public records request give a glimpse into Wu’s communications strategy to contain the growing national firestorm over the “electeds of color” party.
In the days following a Herald story on the party, Wu’s team realized how much national play it was getting and desperately tried to run for cover and change the subject – arranging for interviews on friendly MSNBC shows and turning to topics more positive for Wu.
“I”m following up on our conversation earlier today to have the Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu on your show to discuss a number of topics, including the most recent viral right wing controversy around a holiday party the Mayor hosted a few days ago,” Wu’s communications director, Jessicah Pierre, wrote to a producer for MSNBC. “I’ve included a few links to articles below highlighting her work as mayor of Boston, including delivering on historic police reforms through collective bargaining, community safety, addressing the city’s housing crisis, leading on climate justice, and efforts around diversity in city contracting opportunities to help close the racial wealth gap.
“Mayor Wu is available to come on your show as soon as this weekend or next week,” Pierre added. “Let me know if you are interested and would be happy to chat further.”
One of the topics Pierre suggested was “national right wing outrage” around the party and explained that the electeds of color group “has been around for over a decade that includes elected officials of color throughout all levels of government in Massachusetts.”
Another topic Pierre wanted discussed was Boston’s “low crime rates.”
“Right wing has been driving the message that major Democratic cities across the country are suffering from high crime,” she wrote. “Boston debunks this narrative with a specific focus on community safety.”
By blaming the right wing, Wu was using the well-worn Democratic playbook first authored by Hillary Clinton to deflect questions about Monica Lewinsky.
Wu staunchly defended the holiday party after the story came out, blaming people with “political motives” for the controversy. The story broke because Wu’s office mistakenly sent out invites to the “electeds of color” party to white city council members.
“I will say that I think there’s a significant amount of misinformation out there,” she said in a WBUR interview.
The emails also show that a half dozen aides were involved in planning the “electeds of color” party starting in November of last year, raising questions about the use of taxpayer resources for a party she eventually paid for with campaign cash.
Rather than just take the heat and say she was proud of the party and take ownership, Wu changed her tune and turned to campaign money to fund it, raising ethical and campaign finance legal questions.
Under campaign finance laws, candidates are prohibited from using public resources for political events.
In the hours and days after the story broke, Wu’s press office was deluged with media questions and comments from people all over the country, some not so friendly, the emails show.
“Wanted to touch base to see if someone from the Equity & Inclusion Cabinet might be available to join us as a guest on our morning show, National Report,” wrote Tyler Blake, a booking producer for the conservative outlet Newsmax TV, with more than a touch of sarcasm. “Thank you – I look forward to hearing from you!”
No chance that was going to happen.
