Popular Radio Host Urging GOP Voters To Oppose Clinton, Kucinich

A top Clear Channel talk radio station has been (sort of) urging GOP listeners to switch sides and vote in Ohio’s Democratic primary.

Over the last several days, a promo for a popular show hosted by Bob Franz has been playing repeatedly. It suggests this method of beating both Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who’s facing an uncertain primary contest:

“If I weren’t more responsible, I would get on the radio and say something like this: ‘Registered Republicans, your vote for McCain is already cast whether you want it to be or not because he’s the nominee. Cross over in the primary on March 4th and vote Democrat and vote against Hillary Clinton and against Dennis Kucinich. Make sure he doesn’t make it out of the primary. Make sure she doesn’t make it to the nomination. You have to do this for the good of the city, for the good of this district, for the good of this country.’ If I weren’t a responsible talk show host, I would say that,” Franz says in the promo on the 50,000 watt Cleveland station.

"It's a talk show host's opinion," said station executive Ray Davis in an e-mail. "The last time I checked there is still freedom of speech in America."

A Kucinich spokesman, Andy Juniewicz, said that the fact that the station has repeatedly run the promo without saying it is only the host's opinion indicates it is campaigning against Kucinich.

"What that host and what that station has done is insulting to intelligent listeners,” Juniewicz said. “Playing games in what is the most important primary election in years is reprehensible – especially when it’s under the guise of language that’s so manipulative."