Huckabee Blames Bain Buyout Of Clear Channel For Romney Support
In an astonishing case of conspiracy- peddling by a major presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee is suggesting talk radio’s support for Romney is tied to Bain Capital’s takeover of Clear Channel Communications.
Taking this kooky theory a step further, Huck even singles out Sean Hannity by name, claiming the syndicated host is doing his employer’s bidding.
Incredibly, this conspiracy actually originated with the far left nearly two months ago, spreading across the Internet via the Huffington Post. At the time, your Radio Equalizer covered the lefty kook- swarm, see it here.
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Actually, Huckabee’s even further off the mark than anyone realizes. Here’s why:
Bain Capital and the rest of the private consortium intending to purchase Clear Channel have not yet been able to finalize the deal and as such are not yet in control of the company. That’s why (NYSE: CCU) its shares still trade on Wall Street.
Though Mitt Romney retains some personal stake in Bain, he left the company prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Romney has no say in the firm’s operations.
Sean Hannity’s show is syndicated by ABC Radio, which is owned by Citadel Communications, not Clear Channel. Some CCU stations do choose to carry Hannity through a distribution deal with ABC - Citadel.
Though Huckabee is thankfully now a distant third also- ran in the GOP primary, this level of rhetorical sloppiness is disturbing nonetheless. Any candidate that looks to the Huffington Post for guidance in forming one’s positions is truly out to lunch.
That a Republican would do this adds another layer of pure shock value