Thursday, April 19, 2007 Walberg Punishes Journalist for Good Reporting
[UPDATE] The article included below was just Thursday's preview of the full column, which is now on the Enquirer's website. Go check it out. My favorite part:
It's not personal. It's just a bad public relations move, typical of a staff composed of 20-something "Jesus Camp" counselors who almost managed to lose the general election to Sharon Renier, a chicken farmer with $1.03 in the bank.Ouch. ___ Susan Demas (now at the Battle Creek Enquirer) was probably the most prolific and professional journalist in the 7th Congressional District to cover the 2006 election. She's always been fair to all candidates-- even when I might wish she were a little more harsh on Walberg. Her articles on Tim Walberg have been cited on this blog again and again, and, at one point, she and I were briefly in contact for a possible story that never ran. In hindsight, I suppose it was only a matter of time before Tim Walberg saw that she was, you know, reporting the truth about him. We can't have that, can we? An anonymous reader was kind enough to include this in the comments. I hope Susan Demas and the Enquirer won't mind if I repost the whole comment-- which includes the text of an article that appears in today's issue. "The congressman has decided he will no longer talk to you." Hm. That, my friends, is certainly the reaction of a mature, seasoned politician that is perfectly secure in his seat. Obviously he's not worried at all. Really, this is going to be a problem for him somewhere along the way. I mean, if he won't talk to people that report, you know, facts, getting his message out is going to be a lot harder. If the local press is against you, it doesn't matter how much help the Club for Growth gives you. Needless to say, while Walberg might not want to talk to Susan Demas anymore, I do, and I'd encourage every candidate considering running in 2008-- Democrats, Republicans, or others-- to take their stories to the Battle Creek Enquirer first. Unlike Tim Walberg, I support freedom of press and good, honest journalism (which is more than just reprinting press releases). Walberg is punishing Susan Demas and the Enquirer. Potential candidates, I think you should reward her for doing a good job. The same goes for the DCCC, the MDP, and all the various groups that may be hurt if Tim Walberg's ideas ever made it into law. (By the way-- I'm back from Chicago, but I'm busier than ever. I promise regular posting to resume... sometime soon.) Labels: 2008 Speculation, Joe Schwarz, Susan Demas, Tim Walberg
Comments:
Walberg has never cared about the truth, the lied repeatedly about Schwarz throughout the election. I've said it before and I'll say it again. He's a charlatan masquerading as a precher who has no ethical or moral compass.
He's always played fast and loose with the facts. Remember, he narrowly beat Schwarz in the primary with only 8 percent of the GOP vote. A very small minority elected him and Reiner almost took him down. If I were him, I'd be scared too. His house of cards is falling down.
Looks like Walberg is going to rely on his employee who is also a radio newcaster to spread the word in Battle Creek now.
Dumas was the best reporter on the last race, hands down. I cannot imagine her being more fair to Walberg, and he throws a hissy fit over her printing a quote. Was it off the record, Mr. Walberg? Either he said it or he didn't. It is almost like he is calling her a liar.
Walberg's staffer is doing his radio show, and called Demas a "religious bigot." He asked what her chip on her shoulder was, her bee in her bonnet.
Then, he mentioned that she must have been a spy when she worked for the paper in Jackson, back when they were running the last campaign... They? Was a member of the media working on a political campaign while he maintained a lie of impartiality and reported on the campaign? A caller called in a thanked Chris for going after the Enquirer. Chris accepted the thanks.
Check this January CitPat column out on Chris Simmons:
Chairman Invokes GOP amendment By Susan J. Demas Thou shalt not raise taxes. Thus sayeth Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saulius Anuzis in an e-mail to GOP members of Gov. Granholm’s Emergency Financial Advisory Panel (AKA the 12 Apostles.) Saul — who almost got the ax after last fall’s GOP election debacle — was subtly invoking the state party’s first commandment. (The second, in case you’re wondering, is “Thou shalt oppose abortion.”) The bipartisan group is charged with figuring out how Michigan can survive the plague of a $3 billion hole harvesting next year’s $9 billion general fund budget. The problem is Michigan runs a structural deficit of more than $500 million each year due to an outmoded tax system, said Tom Clay, state affairs director for the Lansing-based Citizen Research Council. He also served as deputy treasurer under that wacko liberal, Gov. John Engler. Clay thinks we need to fix taxes enacted when Jerry Ford was president and polyester suits looked cool. In agreement is “Apostle” Joe Schwarz, R-Battle Creek (who says he’s Thomas, the skeptic.) But tax-hike rhetoric is alarmist, said Schwarz, who thinks policy is best left to the panel. “Let the party worry about politics,” adds the former 7th District congressman. Simmons on staff A familiar voice — if not face — has joined U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg’s team. Chris Simmons, 33, serves as Branch and Calhoun counties’ district representative for Walberg, R-Tipton. The Battle Creeker is still the part-time host of WBCK radio’s “Hotline,” which he describes as “kind of a conservative talk show.” Hmmm… think Simmons will be able nab any exclusive interviews with his boss? Simmons “definitely” won’t cover Walberg during election time, said WBCK News Director Tom Forde. The station and its parent company, Clear Channel, do not have a conflict-of-interest policy, he said. “We made sure everything was above board,” Simmons said of Walberg’s office. “We checked with the House Ethics Committee.” Coincidentally, I was going to announce here that I’d taken a job on the side with U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential exploratory committee. After all, everyone else has in Michigan, from Attorney General Mike Cox to former Dick DeVos running mate Ruth Johnson. But alas, my CitPat masters said I’d have to give up my column — and my paycheck. Just as well. I’m holding out for former Gov. Mitt Romney, who pundits say is the guy to beat. And they’re never wrong. Just look at how close the guv’s race was last fall.
April 20, 2007 10:00 AM Anonymous, I'm assuming you're the same "Anonymous" that's been posting about the Walberg staffer on the radio before.
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