Even at the municipal level, politicians should know by now to be careful in front of microphones. But the lesson may not have reached Holyoke, where public-access cable viewers heard some enlightening unscripted commentary last week. In the minutes before a City Council meeting, councilors Daniel Bresnahan and Todd McGee, unaware that their mikes were live, rambled like a pair of shock-jocks, commenting on the looks of two pregnant women — including a nine-months-pregnant fellow councilor — and speaking caustically about a political blogger in the audience.
Both councilors have apologized, claiming that they were joking. The pregnant councilor, in a blog post, didn’t seem especially convinced. McGee is running unopposed next month for his seat, but voters will be able to weigh in on whether Bresnahan should be penalized — for unprofessionalism, a patronizing attitude toward women, or just a stunning lack of awareness of how the public might be listening.
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