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Mar 6th, 2012


Ron Paul: Limbaugh Apologized for Personal Gain

CBS News
March 4, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul said an apology by conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh to Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke for calling her a “slut” and a “prostitute” was not sincere, and was made only because it best served Limbaugh.

On CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” the Texas congressman told host Bob Schieffer that Limbaugh’s apology “was in his best interest.” [04:18-5:14 in embedded video above]

“He’s doing it because some people were taking their advertisements off of his program. It was his bottom line he was concerned about,” Paul said. …

“I don’t think he’s very apologetic,” Paul said. “It’s in his best interest, that’s why he did it.”

Although Paul disagreed with Limbaugh’s remarks and called them “over the top,” he said the government should not mandate that insurance companies provide contraception coverage. …

Full story

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Related reports

Student Called ‘Slut’ by Limbaugh Dismisses Apology

Video

Fluke says Obama offered words of support (MSNBC “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” March 2, 2012) — Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke reacts to Rush Limbaugh’s comments and reveals that President Barack Obama called her offering encouragement, support and thanking her for speaking out for women’s rights. (05:56)

The Associated Press via MSNBC.com
March 5, 2012

The Georgetown University law student labeled a “slut” by conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh says his apology changes nothing and that Americans have to decide whether to support companies that continue to advertise on his program.

“I don’t think that a statement like this issued, saying that his choice of words was not the best, changes anything, and especially when that statement is issued when he’s under significant pressure from his sponsors who have begun to pull their support,” Sandra Fluke told ABC’s “The View” on Monday.

The 30-year-old Fluke said she hasn’t heard from Limbaugh since he issued a written apology late Saturday. But she says his comments about her testimony before members of Congress have been so personal, she’d rather not have him call. Fluke recently testified to Democratic members of Congress in support of a requirement that health care companies, even those connected to religious organizations, provide coverage for contraception.

The controversy over Limbaugh’s comments has led nine companies, including AOL on Monday, to pull advertising from his three-hour radio show.

The original furor was sparked by Limbaugh’s comments on Wednesday, when he branded Fluke a “slut” for her support of the administration’s new policy on contraception. The radio show host repeated the charges on Thursday, saying: “Well, what would you call someone who wants us to pay for her to have sex? What would you call that woman? You’d call ’em a slut, a prostitute or whatever.” …

In his statement on his website on Saturday, Limbaugh said:

“For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week.  In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.

I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? …

My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices.”

Full story

Video

Rush Limbaugh apologizes on-air (NBC Nightly News, March 5, 2012) — After advertisers abandoned his radio show, Limbaugh issued a verbal mea culpa saying he shouldn’t have called law student Sandra Fluke a ‘slut.’ NBC’s Anne Thompson reports. (02:00)

Video

The difference in apologies (MSNBC “The Ed Show,” March 5, 2012) — Limbaugh apologists are comparing Ed Schultz’s inappropriate comment about Laura Ingraham in May 2011 to Limbaugh’s tirade about Sandra Fluke. Ed says there is no comparison, between the comments themselves and the apologies that followed. (03:50)

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Related reports on this site

Rush Limbaugh appears in Washington, D.C.

Cheney Squarely Behind Limbaugh (May 11, 2009)

Republicans ‘Leaders’ Paralyzed with Fear of Limbaugh (March 5, 2009)

Republican ‘Leaders’ Cower Before Limbaugh (March 4, 2009)

Courage to Lead: Chuck Hagel Lambasts Limbaugh (Nov. 19, 2008)





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