I don't think Clear Channel gives a crap about politics, they care about money.
Here in LA the hottest topic on talk radio is immigration. One station KFI, is very vocal against it, the leading Mexican station is catering to the illegals. Clear Channel owns them both....They don't care about the issue, they are just servicing their individual stations demographics, which as a business is well within their rights.
I bet if there was a large enough anti-country movement in America, Clear Channel would swoop it up and make The Dixie Chicks the cornerstone of their "new" station. But there isn't, and because of this, the Dixie Chicks might be in no mans land of a fan base. (Not country, certainly not Rock).
I know their album is selling OK, but the tour ticket sells have been very disappointing.