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October 31, 2004

The problem with Republicans...

... is that they really do believe that we voters are stupid.

Case in point is the recent complaint the GOP has filed with the FEC against two radio personalities in Los Angelas. The complaint charges the two of "criminal behavior" for attacking a local GOP congressman on the air and endorsing his Democratic opponent on their radio show.

The National Republican Congressional Committee contends that criticism of Rep. David Dreier by KFI-AM talk show hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou represents an illegal in-kind donation of more than $25,000 to Dreier's challenger.

"This behavior is illegal and must be appropriately punished," the committee said.

The hosts of the popular afternoon "John and Ken Show" have sharply criticized Dreier's positions on illegal immigration while waging a "Fire Dreier" campaign and asking listeners to replace him with Democrat Cynthia Matthews.

What the NRCC clearly believes that you are too stupid to understand is that this is an example of free speech which is perfectly legal and completely appropriate in a society that values freedom of speech. Indeed, what the NRCC is trying to squelch is the very kind of free political dissent which they accused Saddam of not allowing in Iraq.

Noteworthy is the fact that the GOP apparently doesn't have a problem with radio personality Rush Limbaugh giving Cheney free airtime in a very partisan atmosphere. The reason why this is not an illegal "in kind" campaign contribution is because guests on these shows don't pay for the airtime that they're on. Indeed, radio shows and the listening audiences they generate is what yields advertising rates which the radio stations then sell to whomever wants to reach that same segment of the market.

To find an example of what is an example of illegal "in kind" campaign contributions we only have to turn to... the GOP in California.

Attorneys representing Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, filed a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission arguing that Pappas Telecasting Cos. violated federal equal time rules by offering free time to GOP Assembly candidate Dean Gardner of Bakersfield — but not to Parra. That would be "free time" as in advertising slots, not as a guest on a radio or TV show where such an appearance would be protected free speech.

Parra's lawyers also filed a complaint with the state's Fair Political Practices Commission, saying Pappas' offer of $25,000 in free radio and TV air time made to 13 county GOP committees violate contribution limits, among other regulations.

To sum up... radio shows are not advertising. The station breaks during the radio shows is where advertising takes place and where illegal "in kind" contributions would exist, if at all. Clearly the GOP is positive that you are too stupid and uninformed to realize this.

Posted by Kevin at October 31, 2004 08:28 AM