The White House needs communicators who translate chaos into calm, projecting reason where the media is inclined to see none at all. Based on his debut as White House communications director on Friday, Anthony Scaramucci appears to fit the bill.
Scaramucci is not replacing newly-resigned Sean Spicer as press secretary — Sarah Huckabee Sanders will fill that role — but his measured demeanor, conspicuous intellect, and air of reason will be an asset at the helm of the White House press shop. Media surrogates, the highly-capable Huckabee Sanders included, should follow his lead, exuding composure when the dominant narrative is confusion.
Spicer’s brash and emotional demeanor channeled the collective id of President Trump’s most ardent supporters. Even Huckabee Sanders occasionally flares into outbursts when provoked by persistent reporters. But with Scaramucci in charge, the communications office may find a way to douse the flames and convince Americans that Trump’s administration is a smooth operation.
The story coming out of communications efforts going forward should be what, not how, information was communicated. Viral moments from reporters and surrogates distract from that.
Scaramucci is not a perfect Republican, nor is he a seasoned Washington operative. Both will have their advantages and disadvantages. But going forward the more we talk about what information was communicated by the White House, rather than how information was communicated, the more people will focus on the substance of Trump’s agenda.
Whether Scaramucci is able to accomplish that is yet to be determined, but his performance at the briefing on Friday was a step in the right direction.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
