L.A. Radio Shock Jocks John & Ken Under Attack By Republicans
 

http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1...501215,00.html
Action filed vs. radio hosts over talk attacks



By Lisa Friedman
Washington Bureau


WASHINGTON -- In a complaint to the Federal Elections Commission, the National Republican Campaign Committee accused radio station KFI-AM (640) co-hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of "criminal behavior" for attacking Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, and endorsing his Democratic opponent, Cynthia Matthews.
By criticizing Dreier's positions on immigration, promoting a "Fire Dreier" campaign and making on-air appeals for voters to elect Matthews, the NRCC said, the hosts gave Matthews an unlawful corporate, in-kind contribution of more than $25,000.

"This behavior is illegal and must be appropriately punished," the NRCC charged, noting violation of the law carries a penalty of fines and jail time.

The complaint echoes objections the Democratic Party made earlier this month when Sinclair Broadcasting Group Inc. prepared to pre-empt regular programming before Election Day to show a documentary critical of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

Campaign finance experts, however, said election law explicitly allows the media to make editorial comments -- whether it's Rush Limbaugh endorsing President George W. Bush, Al Franken backing Sen. John Kerry, or John and Ken pushing for Matthews.

Meanwhile, Kobylt and Chiampou are having a field day with the threat.

"I think I'm going to jail," Kobylt said brightly in a telephone interview Friday.

Of the accusation, he said, "If they really believe it, I think they're nuts."

Kobylt said he believes the NRCC wanted to "spook" KFI's owner, Clear Channel Communications, into "shutting us up" before Election Day.

"Clear Channel is perceived as a Republican company," Kobylt said. "They (the NRCC) might have thought between the corporate bias and the lawyer factor they'd get us to shut up."

He went on to note that his show was equally active in promoting the recall of former California Gov. Gray Davis and the election of Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger. Dreier co-chaired Schwarzenegger's campaign.

"Congressman Dreier was on our show often and never complained" that the station was making an illegal campaign contribution, Kobylt said.

Dreier did not join the NRCC in filing the complaint, nor is he a direct party to it.

NRCC spokesman Bo Harmon refused to comment on the complaint. Dreier spokesman Jo Maney also did not respond to requests for comment.

Republican political consultant Allan Hoffenblum said he has little doubt Dreier will easily win a 13th term in office on Tuesday, despite the radio campaign against him.

"Why do they even bring attention to it?" Hoffenblum wondered.

Lisa Friedman, (202) 662-8731 [email protected]

Awwwww, poor republicans.. maybe someone should arrest their coherts for playing anti kerry documentries and removing farenheit 9/11 from DirectTV...

I always wonder how the equal time laws work. For example, how can Mtv play a propaganda video by Eminem that urges people to vote for Kerry without a rebuttal?

The republicans are known for playing dirty and then crying when things get turned around on them...

When radios are outlawed only outlaws will have radios:glugglug

Are you saying that if an artist of Eminem's "guaranteed played" MTV status were to make a pro-Bush video it wouldn't be aired?

Or are you suggesting that if there isn't one MTV should be required to fill up equal time with anything pro-Bush?

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

They did ? Didn't know about that

I've always perceived John and Ken as hardcore GOP supporters. Dreier needs to shut the fuck up. Maybe he'll run away like he did when he was proven to be nothing more than a spin artist on Bill Maher's HBO show.

shock jocks?

Rush Limbaugh. :1orglaugh

What part of LA is this in? BigBoy and the rest of the LA morning crew have no clue who these people are.

I've got a call in to Tom Leykis to see if they're pals of his, will report back.

everyone plays dirty in Washington

They're very big in L.A., on KFI AM 640 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

They're not exactly "shock jocks." They're very political, with a right-wing bias. But they're after Dreier because they're doing a "political human sacrifice," i.e., sacrificing a Republican to send a message that Republicans need to get tougher on illegal immigration.

Hey, that's cool to know, I usually watch my MobiTV on my cell if I'm stuck on the 405 in the afternoons ;)

do me a favor and let me know when you are on the 405 please

very big in LA between 3 and 7? give me a break, that is Tom Leykis' time and he pretty much has a lock on that time slot