How Would You SEO This. . .

I have a client, let's just say he's "political" . . . when you search his name in Google, in the #2 and #3 spots is a less than flattering article about him. He wants to drive them off the first page of Google.

They have quite a few properties I can build links to that can outrank this article, and drive it off the first page of google. However, because of the political nature of the client, he's very concerned about where and how I build these links. They have 2 or 3 very white hat clean sites that i must use special care as to where the backlinks come from.

He certainly doesn't want me to build links on sites that lean the opposite way than he does politically. He doesn't want me to post blog comments as he does not want to create enemies, start flame wars or start any mudslinging.

This is a much more difficult project than I anticipated. What would you do in this situation? Am I over thinking this?


Niksa

try guest posts or optimized press releases

Thanks Maestro. I'm not sure we can do guest posts, but an optimized press release will help.

Anyone else?
Thanks!
Niksa.

Is he a politician? Then he should have his own wikipedia entry.

You could develop 2 personas (if this is too bh, ask 2 friends to borrow their names), have each of them start a blog as a supporter of your politician. They can interlink and even get some linkbait going.

Look for articles you like better on page 2 and 3 of the serps. Digg them, and use all the different options normally associated with viral traffic.

Can you comment on the 2 unflattering articles? Go over the top an discredit them through association.

Okay, enough. Thoughts already too dark.

You can also build backlinks to the sites listed below the unflattering post even if they are not his. This will move them up and the others down.