[UPDATE: Spike Santee, who was responsible for firing Jim Cates, donated $300 to the Democratic National Committee in 2003.] The “Dean of Topeka Talk Radio” will be silent prematurely starting today. A Topeka source said that Cumulus Broadcasting had released Cates from his duties, which certainly came as a shock to many Topeka listeners. Just yesterday a local news story said Cates planned to retire by the end of the year.
The Topeka Capital-Journal gave few details in their Cates off the air as of Thursday article, which was published Wednesday afternoon.
Cates said Wednesday he was informed at the end of his Wednesday morning program that he was being terminated by Cumulus Broadcasting, the parent company of KMAJ-1440 AM radio where Cates has worked for the past seven years.
Cates announced Monday he planned to retire at the end of this year. He said Wednesday his early termination seemed related to his balking at some programming changes the station wanted to make.
Spike Santee, senior vice president for Cumulus Media, said Wednesday he would not be making any statements about Cates’ termination.
Send your comments to Spike Santee: spike@spikesantee.com
See the Topeka Capital-Journal video: Jim Cates Announces Retirement. Cumulus Media says Cates resigned, but informed sources in Topeka indicate he was fired. Some blame Santee’s ego.
Was this a “company politics” firing or possibly a “political politics” firing? According to Open Secrets, Edward “Spike” Santee, who now lives in Lawrence, gave to the Democratic National Committee when he worked in Wichita:
Is it possible that Santee’s Democratic leanings and Cates’ conservative leanings clashed and that is why Cates was forced out?
As of this writing, Cate’s picture is still part of the banner on the KMAJ web site:
Friends are organizing a rally in support of Jim:
When: 8 AM, Friday, May 16
Where: In front of Cumulus Broadcasting Studios, 9th and Kansas Avenue, Topeka
Organizers suggest signs such as “Bring Jim Back” but feel free to use your sign-making creativity.
Cumulus has not only let Jim go, but they have shut down the voice of the people. No matter what side of an issue you have been on, your side was always heard fairly on Jim’s program. Now is the time to give back to a man who has always given so much to the Topeka community.
See an old Jim Cates’ web site.
Pictures of this rally will be put online here when available.
Tags: Cumulus Broadcasting, Jim Cates, KMAJ, Skip Santee
My friends, this is your illustrious leader Rush Limbaugh. I am here today to tell you that we, the conservative base, the moral consciousness of these great United States are failures. We have failed ourselves. We have failed our families. We have failed America.
But seriously, Republicans must regain the confidence of Americans and recast their message to voters to avoid a catastrophe in the fall elections.
sasnak: I will admit Republicans may have a big problem in this year’s elections.