Speaking at a news conference in Oklahoma, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee floated the idea that the reason the vast majority of America's conservative talk radio hosts aren't endorsing him or John McCain is because Mitt Romney's investment firm owns a significant share of Clear Channel Communications, the nation's largest radio syndication company.
"Some suggest that the fact that Bain Capital owns a major stake in Clear Channel is on Sean's network, maybe there's a correlation. I don't know."
The Sean he was referring to had to be none other than Sean Hannity, America's number-two talk radio host behind Rush Limbaugh.
As Allahpundit points out, the charge is patently ludicrous. Let's count the ways.
First and most obviously, Sean Hannity is not an employee of Clear Channel. His show is syndicated by ABC Radio Networks. Oops.
Second, conservative talk radio is just that--talk radio that is conservative. Given the many years John McCain has spent denouncing conservatives in general and talk radio in particular, is it any surprise that righty talkers would be coming out against him? Of course not. And since Huckabee is, rightly or wrongly, widely seen as a proxy for McCain, it's no surprise that by default Mitt Romney would be garnering the lion's share of talk radio endorsements.
Huckabee's allegation is also ludicrous because it assumes that Clear Channel somehow owns the entire talk radio market. That is far from the case as you can see in this chart listing the top talk show hosts. Many of the talkers listed, such as Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham, Neal Boortz, Mike Gallagher, and Mark Levin have no connection to Clear Channel.
The charge is also false because it proceeds from the same mindset that believes that because most American media outlets are owned by large corporations, this magically makes them conservative since, of course, all businesses are conservative. Editorial independence? Forget about it.
Mike Huckabee should know better than to forward this nonsensical line of thought. Here's hoping he apologizes for his mistake.
—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
It seems our preacher
February 4, 2008 - 10:36 ET by MidAmericaIt seems our preacher friend has trouble sometimes with the 9th commandment about 'not bearing false witness'.
How outrageous - My admiration for Huckabee is waning
February 4, 2008 - 10:42 ET by Dee BunkI had liked him as a person. This typical liberal mantra is laughable. He's sounding more and more like a wolf in sheep's clothing. Next thing you know he'll be complaining about the conservative slant on Fox News.
His liberal side is shining through.
February 4, 2008 - 11:08 ET by kgHis liberal side is shining through. Sadly he has already fallen for the
left's conspiracy theories.
Mine started waning a while
February 4, 2008 - 12:40 ET by motherbeltMine started waning a while ago, and the more I learned, the less I liked him.
Some suggest that the fact that Bain Capital owns a major stake in
Clear Channel is on Sean's network, maybe there's a correlation. I
don't know." -Mike Huckabee (emphasis mine).
Some suggest....a lousy tactic. And if it's maybe, and you don't know, then why mention it, Mr. Huckabee????
Just to get the innuendo out there, of course.
This sideswiping by him is reminiscent of his "Don't Mormons believe Jesus and the devil are brothers?" (Childlike look of innocence and curiosity on face.)
Very slimy tactics for Christian pastor, IMO
Slimy
February 4, 2008 - 16:13 ET by masslibertarianWhat, you mean like holding a press conference to show the media a negative ad you pulled because it was too mean?
McCain and Huckabee, what a pair.
Huckabee has officially
February 4, 2008 - 10:57 ET by Chris NormanHuckabee has officially jumped the shark.
Chris, if he really
February 4, 2008 - 13:57 ET by motherbeltChris, if he really believed it, I would agree with you. But I don't believe he does...see my comment above for my theory on this. He's not that naive, and not that innocent.
The Vast Right Wing
February 4, 2008 - 11:00 ET by Mark FinkelsteinThe Vast Right Wing Conspiracy strikes again! Maybe Huck could join with Hillary in demanding a congressional investigation.
..
February 4, 2008 - 11:03 ET by dervishIf he really chooses this guy to run for veep, McCain will be driving a stake through his own heart. And if he's dumb enough to do it, it won't be a bad thing.
"Will Romney buy the White House?"
February 4, 2008 - 11:33 ET by vrwc13http://www.worldnetd...
Two sides to every story, aren't there?
v
"Information is the currency of democracy." - Thomas Jefferson
come on vrwc
February 4, 2008 - 11:54 ET by candanceSo now it's bad to be a wealthy businessman? It's bad to invest in your campaign? How do you think Reagan made his march in 1980 - he got donations, true, but most of his money came from a few millionaires who devoted their assets into helping him.
He would be stupid to not use every advantage he had.
So instead of addressing the actual point of this blog (that Huckabee says Sean Hannity's employer forces him to shill for Romney) you link to an article written by shillman Chuck Norris calling for more campaign finance reform - which sounds a lot like the skinny kid on the playground demanding his teammates start letting him win.
I know you're my friend and I respect you, but you're acting like Leon.
Candance...step back for a
February 4, 2008 - 12:03 ET by vrwc13Candance...step back for a moment and go back and look at each of the three remaining GOP candidates.
Look at who they are, what their records are, what their platform calls for, and then tell me who you would support.
Check the "charactor" of each, and tell me who you would want representing you as our president.
v
"Information is the currency of democracy." - Thomas Jefferson
not the point
February 4, 2008 - 12:14 ET by candanceDo you believe Clear Channel is forcing Sean Hannity to prop up Romney?
Personally I don't know but
February 4, 2008 - 12:24 ET by vrwc13Personally I don't know but others might.
You know the old saying "follow the money".
there was this before...
http://www.mikehucka...
..and then ask yourself, if this were about Hillary, wouldn't we all be apt to believe it. But because it's Romney, we question it's validity?
v
"Information is the currency of democracy." - Thomas Jefferson
Sean doesn't work for Clear Channel
February 4, 2008 - 12:52 ET by SouthJersey1953or did you miss that?
No RINOs in '08
No RINOs in '08 ...
February 4, 2008 - 12:54 ET by vrwc13...so does that mean you will be voting democratic this fall?
v
Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened. -Winston Churchill.
...so does that mean you
February 4, 2008 - 13:13 ET by Dan The Man 2...so does that mean you will be voting democratic this fall? If McCain is the GOP nominee, yes I will vote for Obie.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
If McLame is the nominee
February 4, 2008 - 14:26 ET by SouthJersey1953I am not sure who I will vote for. I will NOT vote for John McLiberal. I may sit out, or write in Thompson.
No RINOs in '08
For a Christian, you
February 4, 2008 - 18:14 ET by Gary P JacksonFor a Christian, you certainly are a hateful little bugger, aren't you?
Romney has not been with Bain Capitol since 1999. That's NINE YEARS! Gomer Pyle's lying, is right up there with those morons who claim, falsely, that because Dick Cheney once ran Haliburton, they got all of those no-bid contracts, never mind the fact Clinton's administration gave out the same contracts.
This has officially put Huckabee in the loon category. It also puts him in the extremely dishonest category. Huckabee is a snake oil salesman. That's all.
He is just as hateful, and petty as McCain. I wouldn't trust either one as far as I could throw them, and I don't have that good of an arm!
Huckabee's the third dog in a two dog race!
February 4, 2008 - 11:35 ET by IamTinmanAnd he knows it! Head to head polls show Romney in a dead heat with McCain so the he only reason for Huckabee to stay in the race is to keep Romney from a possible win and be a kingmaker at the convention. This may maintain the influence of the evangelical right in the GOP platform but will result in the loss of the presidency since McCain can and will be beat in November.
→ Huckabee
February 4, 2008 - 11:40 ET by Cool ArrowThis looks too much like paranoia. "Everybody's out to get me" might work for Hillary during a sex scandal, but it doesn't look very Presidential.
♣ a seal
True, Cool
February 4, 2008 - 11:54 ET by RJ...and he's been playing that card over and over from the very beginning....
"...maybe there's a
February 4, 2008 - 12:08 ET by Chris Norman"...maybe there's a correlation. I don't know."
Then maybe he shouldn't have said anything, until he does know something. He's beginning to sound like Perot with those "black helicopters"...
How sad
February 4, 2008 - 12:26 ET by HadEnoughWhen life does not work out like it's supposed to, blame everyone else.
Makes one wonder what Huck
February 4, 2008 - 12:40 ET by bigtimerMakes one wonder what Huck would do with the Fairness Doctrine.
The more he opens his mouth, the more I dislike the man...and that is putting it politely.
and to think I supported this guy (for a short time)
February 4, 2008 - 12:47 ET by SouthJersey1953Wow! What a sore loser! When I first heard of him, I supported him. Fortunately for me, I learned of his fiscal liberalisms relatively soon. Beginning to look to me like he is much more like McLame than I thought was possible.....If he cared about the Republican conservatives, he would drop out today. Any vote for him tomorrow is a vote for McLame.
No RINOs in '08
Well maybe if Huckasuck and
February 4, 2008 - 13:06 ET by wiwfWell maybe if Huckasuck and mclame started BEING CONSERVATIVE they wouldn't be pointing fingers at a "vast right wing conspiracy."
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Huckabee's Record
February 4, 2008 - 13:09 ET by candanceThus far Huckabee supporters have defended the following:
-The vast right-wing conspiracy went after him in SC.
-John McCain is a real conservative.
-Sean Hannity is spreading lies about Huckabee and refusing to let him on the show.
-Clear Channel is forcing their talk show talent to shill for Romney.
-Everyone hates him because he's Baptist.
-It's okay to criticize Mormonism but it's not okay to criticize the SBC.
-Huckabee had a "change of heart" about immigration...and that's not the same as flip-flopping.
-Newsweek gave him a cover and a three-page article, but he has such a hard time getting his message out.
-Huckabee was forced to raise taxes in Arkansas, but Romney raised them in Mass all by himself.
-Having Chuck Norris post articles on crossnet is not the same as using religion.
-James Dobson hasn't endorsed him since Iowa because he hates Christians.
-Ann Coulter attacked Huckabee because she hates Christians too.
-Romney has three times the delegates of Huck, but clearly Huckabee is in the lead.
-Huckabee defends McCain at every turn, but the first to claim conspiracy among others rebutts the possibility in his own camp.
only two worth replying too...
February 4, 2008 - 13:29 ET by vrwc131)-Newsweek gave him a cover and a three-page article, but he has such a hard time getting his message out.
- Huckabee the least coverage of all...
http://newsbusters.o...
2)-Romney has three times the delegates of Huck, but clearly Huckabee is in the lead.
- Delegates McCain / Romney / Huckabee 93 / 77 / 40
http://www.realclear...
...some of the other stuff looks like you made it up!
v
"Faith doesn't just influence me. It really defines me. I don't have to wake up every day wondering what do I need to believe," Huckabee says in the ad. "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever."
Um okay
February 4, 2008 - 13:41 ET by candanceApparently I made up this and this and this and this, but whatever.
PS I got my delegate count from CNN which was updated Feb 2.
Please do not accuse me of making stuff up.
Speaking of making things up, vrwc, look in a mirror
February 4, 2008 - 14:04 ET by RJThis is the second time you've attempted to use the NB link as "proof" that Huckabee gets the least overall media coverage.
Again, it's a recent ONE WEEK snapshot, taken at a time when interest in Huckabee was waning. To try to use it in any other way is a lie.
Once again RJ, 'cause you're my pal...
February 4, 2008 - 14:17 ET by vrwc13"Again, it's a recent ONE WEEK snapshot, taken at a time when interest in Huckabee was waning."
...just weeks after winning Iowa (1/3)? Try using a little of that thar critical thunking you been talking 'bout.
"To try to use it in any other way is a lie."
...so who's lying/deceiving here?
...how about the last three weeks then? That being the three weeks right after Huckabee's victory in Iowa!
http://newsbusters.o...
v
Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened. -Winston Churchill.
Like I said vrwc, none of my "pals" are....you know....
February 4, 2008 - 14:36 ET by RJI have higher standards.....
The fact is, the media helped him win the caucus in Iowa and since then interest in him has been waning. Again, one week snapshots taken as his campaign began declining prove nothing.
No matter what he or you say, Huckabee remains in the campaign primarily for religious purposes.
Arkansas!
February 4, 2008 - 13:19 ET by okiehawk44Arkansas has a long history of sending forth its strange progeny -- think: B. Clinton; H. Clinton; Huckabee and remember Gov. Orval Faubus (D) stauch segregationist who forced Eisenhower to send in troops to integrate Arkansas schools; Gov. Jim Guy Tucker (D) succeeded B. Clinton and then went to jail as a convicted felon; Senator William J. Fulbright (D) staunch segregationist.
This state needs to help the rest of the country and keep its politicians at home.
So let me get this straight,
February 4, 2008 - 13:41 ET by fitzfongSo let me get this straight, Huckafraud alleges Clear Channel (a big, bad corporation) is being driven by one of its shareholders to give "in kind" donations to Romney through the vessel of talk radio. Hmmm...How very McCain of Huckafraud! Like a good little parasite, Huckafraud even managed to inject some of that glorious McCain-Feingold policy that we so "badly needed". Besides being an incredibly dishonest and tortured accusation, it ignores the in kind donations he's gotten from the various pulpit jockeys...donations without which this POS "former pastor" would have been clipped from the Republican nomination fight before Iowa.
Anyone else wonder?
February 4, 2008 - 13:51 ET by candanceHow convenient for Huckabee to do this the day before Super Tuesday?
no need to wonder,
February 4, 2008 - 13:55 ET by motherbeltno need to wonder, candance.
Huckabee is looking more and more like someone who is willing to throw unsubstantiated allegations, just to get them "out there" where people can hear them and mull them over....
For a Christian pastor, it seems to me that Huckabee's tactics are the most questionable of all the Republican candidates.
I'd call his tactics very "unChristianlike", motherbelt
February 4, 2008 - 16:26 ET by RJLike others here, I liked him at first, but it quickly became apparant that he represents the worst side of any religious movement....an individual willing to say or do anything, no matter how mean, small, or dishonest....and justify it as being for the "greater good."
As for the Clear Channel charge, Rush said today that it's a conspiracy theory that's been floating around the fringe left sites for awhile, now. Huckabee just picked his time for tossing it out.
RJ
February 4, 2008 - 17:08 ET by candanceThis is why I liken Huckabee to Caiaphus, the Jewish high priest, getting in bed with the Romans to take out Jesus. Whatever it takes to remove the competition.
Your analogy stoops to new
February 4, 2008 - 17:36 ET by vrwc13Your analogy stoops to new lows. Both you and RJ ought to be ashamed.
v
But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13
Why vrwc
February 4, 2008 - 18:11 ET by candanceBecause the man who called Jerry Falwell an agent of intolerance, who said the GOP does not belong to Bob Jones, who flip flops on Roe v Wade depending on what city he speaks in, who compared TV preachers to union bosses, who voted down a ban on gay marriage, who supports stem cell destruction for research, who uses profanity to silence his enemies, who lost support from James Dobson, John Hagee, Ann Coulter, almost every prominent Christian in the country.....
......Mike Huckabee had the gall to call that man a true conservative with a straight face......
If you can't see what Huckabee is doing then you're either willfully blind or determined to shill for him anyway.
Have you been dining with
February 4, 2008 - 18:18 ET by vrwc13Have you been dining with PopTech?
v
"…you are entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts." -the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
"he represents the worst side of any religious movement....
February 4, 2008 - 17:53 ET by vrwc13"he represents the worst side of any religious movement....an individual willing to say or do anything, no matter how mean, small, or dishonest....and justify it as being for the "greater good." RJ
...RJ your qoute would be more suitable for your hero Romney than it is for Huckabee...at least Huckabee was never for the wanton killing of unborn children, and champion of same-sex marriage...shame on you.
http://www.worldnetd...
v
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20
Let us rmember that Satan
February 4, 2008 - 18:00 ET by Dan The Man 2Let us rmember that Satan was also full of guile and deciet and his words seemed to ring true. The only way to tell is to put them against ahwt God said, in other words the truth. And by their fruits you shall know them. And the Huckster is showing his fruits by spreading lies as Satan did. Even the elect are fooled if they are not paying attention.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
then how about these "fruits"?...
February 4, 2008 - 18:06 ET by vrwc13"The appropriate course of action for Romney was to do nothing," he said. Instead, "as governor, he created, in essence, his own same-sex marriage rule and then enforced it – reportedly threatening local clerks with dismissal if they refused to comply with his executive order."
And while Keyes called Romney's actions "catastrophic" and "among the most socially-damaging actions by a chief executive in our nation's history," their significance lay in the way he would operate as president. - http://www.worldnetd...
v
was for abortion before I was against abortion - Romney
Satan also said: "You will
February 4, 2008 - 18:15 ET by vrwc13Satan also said:
"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
As God Is, Man May Become?
Besides correctly illustrating the Latter-day Saint teaching that God was once a mere mortal man, this couplet also declares that man has the potential to become God! According to LDS theology, eternal life is synonymous with godhood. In the words of LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie, "Thus those who gain eternal life receive exaltation ... They are gods." (Mormon Doctrine, pg. 237).
http://www.mrm.org/t...
v
LOL cd... It's pretty
February 4, 2008 - 13:55 ET by bigtimerLOL cd...
It's pretty apparent now isn't it?
Rush is doing a good job of fighting back and sticking it in the eyes of all the elitists in the repub party and McCain/Huck...of course the msm too.
Agreed. For all his talking
February 4, 2008 - 16:39 ET by steviep831Agreed. For all his talking about conspiracy... I think it's he who has been conspiring with McCain to keep Romney out. In the beginning, I wanted to give Huck a chance, but the more and more I read about him and watched him at work, the more and more I knew he was not going to be good for Republicans, much less America. And he's showing his true colors now.
Mike Huckabee aka Elmer Ganry
February 4, 2008 - 22:07 ET by Edward CropperTodays Elmer Gantry is not too concerned with truth and facts. He says things as if he is asking an innocent question, like "don't Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?" Then pretends he meant no harm and was only trying to be helpful in gaining an explanation.
The idea that this guy is naive is utterly rediculous. He knows exactly what he is saying and is duplicitous in most of what he says.
He has fooled more people in less time than anyone since PT Barnum. He is a grifter, a charlatan, a male Minnie Pearl.
Unfortunately...
February 4, 2008 - 23:22 ET by Brad999Unfortunately too many individuals believe what they read and hear on the news and on the internet instead of researching the records of politicians from credible sources. If only our nation had more free-thinking individuals that were skeptical of what they hear from anyone, be it the news, politicians, or even their friends. I personally have researched the records of the four remaining Republican candidates and I will say that the man I support is Mike Huckabee.
To hear someone call Romney conservative is to be one that clearly does not do his or her research. Romney is not a conservative and Romney is only simply attempting to change his positions on a host of core issues of the Republican party to appeal to the conservative voting bloc. Romney is not conservative and his record clearlt demonstrates this. By the time someone reaches 60, it seems as though they would have their core beliefs established. Romney supported abortion as recently as two years ago and did not stand up for the right of the unborn children. He did not speak out against the brutal murdering or innocent life. That along instantly makes Romney a man that I can never vote for. There is so much more though that turns me away from Romney. He lacks honesty and he reminds me too much of John Kerry.
McCain is not someone I could support either. McCain is just as far from being a conservative as what Romney claims to stand for, if not further. His senate record, when he did vote, clearly demonstrates what he stands for.
Huckabee is not supporting McCain, and I firmly believe this. McCain may think he is using Huckabee to help him achieve the nomination, but I think Huckabee is still in the race because quite simply he can win and he knows that he can. Things looked pretty dim for Ronald Reagan at this stage in the game during the primaries of 1980, but then look what happened; Ronald Reagan did not give up or quit, even though the establishment did not favor him and many told him he didn't have a chance. However, Reagan went on to achieve the nomination and in 1984 the establishment was behind him and rallied around him. The only man in this race right now that has truly supported Reagan all his life, and even had a part in his victory in 1980 and 1984 is Mike Huckabee. Please, do your research and find out the TRUTH. Do not believe the lies and distortions of the media and politicians.
Mike Huckabee is the only man that has a chance against the Democrats come Novemeber. No one can deny that Huckabee possesses excellent oratory and deate skills and that he can out-debate either Obama or Hillary. Do you honestly see Romney or McCain outdebating either of these individuals? Hillary and Obama are formidable forces to be reckoned with and they are tough. Obama posseses a great deal of charisma, and only the charisma and honesty of Mike can defeat that. Hillary on the other hand is a candidate with an organization that Mike has beat before in his own state of Arkansas at least twice (the Clinton's supported and campaigned for those opposing Huckabee in the Arkansas elections).
I simply hope that anyone reading this will take the time to truly investigate and discover the truth on their own and not blindly believe or follow what others say. May God bless these upcoming elections and may God bless America!
- Every American should seek to find the truth themselves, instead of blindly following and believing the news media and the talking heads. This includes FOX, Rush, Ann Coulter and many more; not just the liberal media.