Politics brings an endless series of balancing acts, and not just about policy positions. We expect leaders to be tough, yet humble; principled, yet flexible.

Most of all, though, we want to trust and admire what they say.

Humility, honesty and flexibility don't seem to be what two Republican newcomers go for as they respond to intense media attention about potentially damaging actions. Though their situations are quite different, Michigan Rep. Todd Courser and presidential hopeful Donald Trump react somewhat similarly.

Each speaks out brashly, shuns staff guidance and strikes a victim's pose.

Two Detroit-area communications pros analyze those tactics, which include claims of unfair media coverage.

"Every crisis communication fundamental is being ignored," comments Farmington Hills agency partner Matt Friedman, a former WDIV news producer. Darci E. McConnell, a past Detroit News reporter who runs a downtown PR and crisis management business, cites a pithy aphorism: "If you mess up, fess up."   

Courser initially kept mum about a Detroit News expose of his bizarre "false flag" ploy to offset disclosure of an affair. He broke the silence around dawn Monday, posting a 27-minute audio statement, apparently unscripted, with the headline: "Todd Courser Responds to Detroit News hit piece." In the Free Press, capital reporter Kathleen Gray writes:

The long and rambling recording blames his former staffers, Ben Graham, Josh Cline and Keith Allard, for colluding with the Lansing "mafia" establishment to bring him down.

In a five-sentence Facebook post the previous evening, Coulter said he was in prayer and reflection "given all that is happening around me."

Courser's defensive, not-my-fault stance reminds Deadline reader Theresa Solberg of the more prominent Republican. "He's taking his cues from Donald Trump, I guess," she posts Monday on our Facebook page.

In the national political arena, Trump currently grapples with an outcry about dismissive remarks about women during and after a debate last Thursday.

The GOP presidential prospect escalates that controversy by lashing out at moderator Megyn Kelly of Fox News as "nasty" and telling CNN she had “blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.” During a call to the "Today" show Monday, Trump said the remarks "wasn’t meant to be much of an insult” and claimed the uproar is “all fueled by the press.”

He also tweets Monday:

Each man appears to be going with his gut and winging it -- a sense that's reinforced by their loss of advisers who counseled different tactics.

"This kind of stuff never stays hidden," legislative assistant Ben Graham told Courser in a May 20 text message regarding the representative's relationship with Rep. Cindy Gamrat. "It’s going to blow up, and I can’t help cover it up. . . My best advice, consider resigning. You may be able to protect Cindy and her family and your family.”

The lawmaker fired him July 7.

Trump's 'food fight'

Trump's top campaign strategist, Roger Stone, quit Saturday and tweeted: "[I] disagree with diversion to food fight with @megynkelly [which undercuts] core issue messages.” 

Here in Southeast Michigan, Courser's reply "to Detroit News hit piece" draws criticism even from people who appear to have been admirers.

"I wanted so bad to defend you," one woman posts. Her comment and others below are among those under his Facebook link Monday to the recording. (His page is publicly visible, but only friends can comment.)

  • "The time has come to take responsibility and accept the consequences for the poor choices that were made. That is what adults do." -- Eve Haberek, Birmingham
  • "Man up and stop blaming others. You done wrong and need to step down. Lapeer is pushing for your removal as our Rep. . . . Shame on you for betraying your wife and shaming your family, and using God." -- Thomas A. White
  • "What a hypocritical excuse. Did you not think as a Conservative you would be attacked? Just sitting here shaking my head as you blame your woes on a 'blackmailer.' " --John Blanshan
  • "Biggest load of crap ever. I am stunned and sickened. You are not remorseful for your betrayals. You are upset you got caught. Blackmailer my fanny!! I believe nothing from you now. And I wanted so bad to defend you. Please, just resign and go away.: -- Sheri Wiggins
  • "Good way to blame someone else for your lies and cover up." -- Dana Carver, Britton, Mich.

On Sunday night, Graham Davis of Detroit pushed back under Courser's brief first response: "You're not the victim and this isn't 'happening around' you. It is of your own making."  

Two Deadline readers share these thoughts Monday about Courser, via Facebook :

  • So let me get this straight. You were caught with your pants down and you're the victim? Welcome to America, folks, where your problems are everybody else's fault. -- Carl Scott
  • Do the words "personal responsibility" mean anything to Todd? -- Robert Newland, Kalamazoo

Different goals for each man

From their public relations perspectives, McConnell and Friedman tell Deadline via emails what Courser and Trump are doing wrong this week.

The co-founder of Tanner Friedman strategic communications doesn't lump the men together because "first and foremost, Donald Trump is a celebrity." He adds:

"His PR objective over the past 30 years has been to stay famous. That seems to be the guiding force behind his recent public comments, which are clearly geared toward prolonging conflict rather than putting it behind.

"As for Courser," Friedman continues, "it's impossible to see a benefit to any course of action other than immediate resignation. He has ensured that this story is not going away anytime soon. If he is playing to a 'base,' as politicians are prone to do, his appears tiny or muted or both. Meanwhile, his public persona of cheating, lying and conniving only grows stronger."

'Courser . . . blew it'

McConnell shares these observations from her sixth-floor Monroe Street office: 

"Apologies should be pretty short and sweet -- and if this is Courser’s attempt, he blew it. He never admits the wrong, points the finger elsewhere and doesn’t offer a solution.

"And he threw out something he couldn’t prove -- the 'Lansing mafia' -- which makes him look even more bizarre."

As for the blustery presidential candidate on the hot seat, the Detroit communications adviser says:

"While there’s clearly a segment of the population who revels in Trump’s bluster and ‘say anything’ approach, you lose credibility when you don’t own up to harmful comments that stigmatize a group -- in the latest example, women. The same rule applies: When you mess up, fess up.

"Trump hasn’t displayed a willingness to acknowledge any errors in what he says or does, essentially blaming the media time after time. . . . The media will always be a target -- but there is a tipping point where it is no longer about the messenger, but it really is about the message."

Update from Macomb politics blogger:

A Tuesday post by Chad Selweski, a former Macomb Daily columnist and longtime chronicler of Michigan politics, echoes our linkage:

State Rep. Todd Courser has become the Donald Trump of the Michigan Republican Party. . . . Much like Trump, Courser betrays and berates his allies when the tables turn and he is holding a losing hand. . . .

The parallels to Trump’s stabs at downplaying his crude remarks and flip-flops of the past are undeniable. Many of the GOP presidential frontrunner’s controversial comments are available on audio or video tape, yet he claims now that the media has targeted him, or that political correctness is being foisted upon him.
Trump has trouble with the truth. And when facts are presented to him, he doubles down and lashes out.

Related coverage at Deadline:

Update: The saga spreads nationally. This three-minute report aired Tuesday on "CBS Morning News:" 

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