When Smiling for the Camera Goes Wrong

Oct. 24, 2005 — -- If you're one of Tom DeLay's detractors -- or even if you just love celebrity mug shots -- you're no doubt disappointed by the picture of the former Senate majority leader released after his booking on money laundering and conspiracy charges.

DeLay's mug shot was atypical. He wasn't frowning. He didn't sport the greasy wild hair look like Nick Nolte after his DUI arrest in 2002. He didn't look dazed and obviously uncomfortable like Hugh Grant following his bust for a lewd act with a prostitute in 1995. DeLay wasn't holding a vital statistics sign and there were not even booking numbers under his smiling face.

Mug shot connoisseurs were not even treated to a profile shot of the embattled congressman, leading some to ask, "What gives?"

"It was so unsatisfying," said Andrew Goldberg, managing editor of "The Smoking Gun," which is famous for posting celebrity mug shots on its Web site. "We've received so many complaints from people about the shot. He's smiling. He's even wearing his political party pin on his jacket. There's no height chart. ... It looks like something his party would send out on one of his political campaigns. If someone hadn't told me differently, I wouldn't have thought that this was a mug shot."

The Allure of the Fallen Star

Celebrity mug shots long have been a source of entertainment.

From mug shots of Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra to Bill Gates and Michael Jackson, celebrity watchers love seeing the rich and famous -- and sometimes infamous -- caught on camera, not showing their best side. Mug shots humble celebrities and make them appear vulnerable.

"It's something that's not handed out by PR (public relations) people," Goldberg explained. "There are no makeup people involved and you catch celebrities not at their best moment."

But sometimes celebrities can prepare for their moments of shame. Eminem was given a chance to surrender on a gun charge in 2000 and appeared for his mug shot in a suit and tie. DeLay had weeks to prepare his strategy for his mug shot. Celebrities, Goldberg pointed out, have the most embarrassing, and candid mug shots during more spontaneous arrests.

No-Win Situation for DeLay

DeLay and his camp were all too aware of the humbling effects of a mug shot.

Experts say DeLay's atypical mug shot was designed to prevent Democrats from exploiting his picture on attack ads -- or at least diffuse some of the effectiveness of anticipated campaigns. By smiling for the camera and proudly wearing his House of Representatives pin, DeLay exudes confidence and does not look guilty -- or even worried.

"There is an awareness of the celebrity mug shots in recent years, like Nick Nolte and Hugh Grant," said Alan Schroeder, assistant professor of journalism at Northeastern University and author of "Celebrity-in-Chief: How Show Business Took Over the White House." "There's an aspect of precedent to it all. But these guys were arrested under the influence while DeLay had some time to prepare."

Despite DeLay's efforts to turn his mug shot into an advantage for himself, he faced a no-win situation, Schroeder said. His most ardent supporters may say that he looks like someone who is ready for a court battle. But fellow scandal-weary Republicans may cringe at his smiling mug shot, especially with the possibility of White House-related indictments in the CIA leak investigation and with the ongoing fallout over response to Hurricane Katrina.

"This is just political theater. This is him trying to make the best out of a bad situation," Schroeder said. "He still had to be photographed and fingerprinted. His picture reminded me of a class grade school picture and his smile was somewhat dutiful. ... He didn't look very statesman-like. To me, he did not elevate the tone of the discourse."

More Unsatisfying Moments Await Mug Shot Fans

Goldberg said Nolte's photo, along with a picture of Bill Gates taken in New Mexico following an arrest for a traffic violation in 1977 are among his most popular mug shots. His personal favorite is of Johnny Cash in 1965 after his arrest for drug possession at El Paso International Airport, in part because the black and white photo has a gritty feel and features "The Man in Black" seated in a full body shot -- a rarity in modern, increasingly digitized mug shots.

"It's really a beautiful picture," Goldberg said.

Goldberg says many "Smoking Gun" fans are waiting to see whether President Bush's adviser Karl Rove and Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, will be indicted on charges related to the leak of a CIA operative's name to reporters. Web viewers are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to see anyone implicated in the investigation, especially Rove, in a mug shot.

But that will not happen. Mug shots in federal cases are not released, which is why the public never saw Martha Stewart's photo when she was charged for lying about a 2001 stock sale.

"I was so bummed about Martha Stewart," Goldberg said. "And we've received so many complaints about Tom DeLay. If there is an indictment against Karl Rove, I can only image what people will say: 'What? Are you covering up for Karl Rove or something?'"

Sorry, fans. No matter what happens in the CIA leak probe, you will not see anyone mugging for the camera.