1. Had you been McCain’s PR advisor, what would you have counseled him relative to third party supporters, debate cancellation, Michigan pullout, and the choice for VP?
I think McCain needed to find third-party supporters that were strong supports of him and his ideas for presidency. I don’t think the debate cancellation was a smart move. I would have advised him to reschedule it. Also, I think that the pullout was a mistake. I would have advised him to make an effort to campaign because pulling out raised questions of defeat. I think his choice of VP is his decision. I would have advised him by letting him know this is going to be very controversial, but if that’s who he thinks will be the best for his VP then it’s his choice. I would make him aware of how the public may see this choice, but I would not make the decision for him.
2. Had you been Barack Obama’s PR advisor, how would you have handled the San Francisco flap?
I would have had a press conference held so that Obama could have publicly apologize and admit his mistake.
3. In term of lessons learned – from both the campaign and the experienced of his predecessor – were you President Obama’s communication advisor, what PR principles would you counsel him to follow in the White House?
I would advise him to plan ahead and be very prepared and up to date on information. I would also advise him communicate important messages with the public. He also needs to remember what he’s said in the past, so that when an issue revisits itself, he’s prepared from last time.
Muffy Lavens 
I agree completely with your answer to question 3. Following the Bush administration, Obama needed to learn from Bush’s mistakes. This meant being open with the public and making more informed decisions. In question 1 agree with what you said about his choice for VP being his own decision. If I were advising him I would have proposed possible candidates for him to choose from. In this I would try to choose candidates that would best serve the President as well as be a good running mate.
I agree that I would hold a press conference to let Obama explain himself. The comments were probably taken out of context and Pennsylvania is a very important state to win. He needed to be more careful in his wording but he should be able to fix it and he did.
I also agree that choosing his VP should be his choice. It’s his administration and he needs to pick people who he feels will represent his ideas and values well.
Muffy,
You have just passed Andy Fox as the most popular blogger in the class–six comments on one, two on the current one (before most people have even POSTED). Well done! I think you’re getting a rep as a PR guru!
Dr. Schultz
I agree with the first question and that McCain needed more 3rd party support. I also think picking the vice president is his choice. I would warn McCain, but overall I think it is his own choice.