Albany Times-Union

Some public relations gigs are tougher than others — such as being the spokesman for former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey Ross, according to Full Frontal PR, a Bloomberg Press book with some amusing anecdotes and instructive passages on how to deal with pesky reporters.

In one chapter, “It’s Your Interview,” co-author Michael Prichinello recalls his brief stint as Ross’ communication director at the Capitol and how he steered reporters away from hot topics concerning his former boss, whom Gov. George Pataki dumped as a second-term running mate.

“Betsy was a loose cannon, challenging the old boys’ network,” he writes. “In the chaotic seas of New York politics, Betsy’s outlaw actions made her an island on the fringe of the map.” Prichinello “had the tough job of delivering Betsy’s platform … but all the media wanted to talk about was her public feud with Pataki, the breakup of her two-year marriage to financier Wilbur Ross and the $10 million missing from her campaign war chest.”

The author writes about handling a “venomous political journalist” who asked whether Ross was sleeping on the floor of her state office.

“In Albany, Betsy vowed not to sleep until everyone suffering from cancer got a check from their insurance company,” Prichinello responded, rolling out facts and figures on her platform whenever the reporter tried to return to the initial inquiry.