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Leno Taking Arnie`s Side?

Jay leno is under much criticism lately for giving Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger center stage amidst a close race for governor. An online petition has been issued by those sitting in Democratic Challenger, Phil Angelides` corner, and the main claim is that NBC is violating the equal-time provision of the Communications Act by not giving Angelides the same consideration as his opponent.

Angelides, by sparking a media buzz has managed to rake in points of empathy for being exclude on the Leno Show, and as the saying goes ?"Any publicity is good publicity". The other candidates are left behind following the media frenzy and might be lost in the fight of Governator vs. Democratic Challenger. So just for the record, the other candidates are Peter Camejo, who was nominated by the California Green Party, Art Olivier of the California Libertarian Party, Janice Jordan from the Peace and Freedom Party, and Edward Noonan from the American Independent Party.

Legal experts are saying that the Angelides` doesn`t have much of a legal argument. News interview shows are exempt from the provision, and Leno often interviews important public figures, so his program almost certainly qualifies. NBC issued a statement saying it is following news guidelines for interviewing a political candidate. Under the news guidelines, the scheduled appearance of Schwarzenegger on Wednesday?s broadcast is not subject to the FCC?s equal airtime provisions.