Michigan’s Huron Daily Tribune is in a bit of hot water after a reporter called to request an interview with Republican John James.
The message itself was benign enough, a regular interview request. However when Brenda Battel failed to successfully hang up the phone, things got unfortunate.
“Man, if he beats her, Jesus! F***in’ John James,” Battel’s voice can be heard on the voicemail. “That would suck! I don’t think it’s gonna happen though.”
Reasonably such a gaffe didn’t sit well and Battel will be seeking new employment
“I have listened to the voicemail left by Brenda Battel to Mr. James’ campaign, and find no reason to defend this behavior,” Kate Hessling, editor of the Daily Tribune, said in statement, “Brenda Battel’s employment has been immediately terminated.”
Hessling continued that “the Huron Daily Tribune sincerely apologizes to Mr. James and to the public. These statements do not represent the views of the Tribune as a whole, nor do they reflect the actions of a responsible journalist.”
Tori Sachs, campaign manager for James, expressed her frustration at the voicemail from a media source that should hold no bias.
“It shows you that some media will do anything to keep the status quo and career politicians in power,” Sachs explained. “The liberal media can’t stand the idea of a job creator and combat veteran coming to Washington to shake up the system. This happened as we closed in within the margin of error.”
Battel has so far been unavailable for comment.
