In The Public Eye

     As most everyone has come to realize, image is everything. I’m not necessarily referring to hair color or the color of your button down, rather your persona. The personal image a person presents to the world is vital to their reputation. It creates the expectations people hold for you and the favorable feelings they may or may not hold towards you. Image is especially crucial for political figures, as their success relies on having the support of people. In order to gain someone’s support, a degree of respect, admiration, or trust is needed. The media is often ready to jump on stories that reveal information that their readers were not expecting about relevant individuals. 
     I read an article on 5W Public Relations that discussed ways how the way politician Bernie Sanders may have tarnished his reputation with one person declaring they will definitely not be voting for Sanders any longer. Bernie Sanders ate a restaurant and after his dining experience the restaurant's owner was quoted as describing Sanders as “rude and cranky.” The owner added another statement that I found to perfectly embody the power of PR with “anyone in the public eye needs to understand when it's time to order room service." What he means by this is that he understands those in the public eye cannot be perfect all the time, but when they are choosing to present themselves to the public they should make certain they are presenting an image and persona that is consistent with the reputation they wish to uphold. 
     As a student who is majoring in the field of communications, a story like this is rather relevant to me because it shows the reality behind many of the lectures I have sat through. It encompasses an integral aspect to the world of communications and how we interact with others by showing the power of our behavioral presence and image.