The Republican candidates only have a few hours left to make a big impression on Super Tuesday voters. You'd have thought they'd use this time to weigh in on the biggest issue of the week, the one that everyone's talking about -- Rush Limbaugh's rude comments about Georgetown student Sandra Fluke.
Instead, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich all failed to show any spine in addressing Rush's remarks, and, in effect, missed a giant opportunity to show some strength and integrity at a really crucial part of their respective campaigns. Let's look at how each candidate reacted to Rush calling Fluke a "slut" and a "prostitute."
At first, Santorum called him "absurd," but then he immediately backtracked and, in a very bumbling way (if you read the exact quote), made excuses for Limbaugh by reasoning that he's an entertainer and entertainers are allowed to act that way. Gingrich avoided the question altogether by chiding the "elitist media" for avoiding real issues like gas prices and unemployment and suddenly deciding that Rush Limbaugh is a "great national crisis." The ever cautious Romney delivered the opposite of a blow with this lame comment, "I’ll just say this, which is, it’s not the language I would have used." Only Paul got a little feisty, saying that Rush used "crude language" and "gets over the top at times"; but even he was careful in his remarks.
Why aren't these candidates reacting more strongly? They don't have to oppose Rush; they could defend him for all I care. But they certainly should have compelling, assertive statements about the incident either way. Here's why: The birth control issue and whether Rush did or did not cross a line is something that voters in both parties have very passionate opinions about. Every single one of these candidates should be taking a position and speaking about these issues in a compelling way -- not getting away with careful, vanilla answers or trying to avoid the topic altogether.
It's difficult and risky to take a strong position on tough, divisive issues like this. But that's exactly what we need our leaders to do. Unfortunately, these guys in the GOP race are so concerned with getting votes that they seem to have forgotten how to have a strong opinion.
How would you have liked to see the GOP candidates react to Rush?
Image via roberthuffstutter/Flickr
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Comments 33
Thank you billsfans... I find it tactless when anyone calls a woman (or man) a derogatory name, but in this case it is absolutely asinine the fit throwing being done. The white house currently has a petition on its website against Rush- but where was it for Schultz or Maher?
Grow up, people.
The candidates are not there to respond to something a celebrity said - and yes, Rush is really only that. The fact that they gave it the time of day at all is something.
And seriously, there are really more important matters to be questioned on. I agree birth control is a hot topic and should be addressed. But not what someone else said on the matter - only the stance the candidates maintain. If that were the case, the candidates, on either side, whatever it was commentators were spouting off about in the media would have to be addressed and would solve nothing.
Love your comments Billsfan and History. I couldn't agree more. the4mutts makes a good point - need to quit caring so much about what celebrities think and do and pay more attention to issues that matter.
I honestly don't care what the candidates think about Rush's comment. Why should they respond to some stupid comment made by a stupid radio host. I agree that Rush's comments were way over the line and incredibly insulting to women. But I agree with Newt that the media has spent way too long on this subject. I would rather the candidates talk about how they are going to increase jobs and fix gas prices.
Oh, the hypocrisy of the liberals...smh.
Sandra Fluke, the 30year old activist who has lobbied for taxpayers to pay for sex-change operations? That Sandra Fluke?
Bill Maher: "Why couldn't, uh, why couldn't have (Rush Limbaugh) croaked from it instead of Heath Ledger"
Mike Malloy: "Well, keep it up boys, just keep it up, um except for one thing: you rat bastards are going to cause another Murrah federal building explosion, you are. And then – what is Beck – maybe at that point Beck will do the honorable thing and blow his brains out. Maybe at that point, Limbaugh will do the honorable thing and just gobble up enough – enough Viagra that he becomes absolutely rigid and keels over dead.
Ted Rall: "Over time, however, the endless war in Iraq began to play a role in natural selection. Only idiots signed up; only idiots died. Back home, the average I.Q. soared."
Geraldo Rivera: "It's good (Michelle Malkin's) in D.C. and I'm in New York. I'd spit on her if I saw her"
Ed Schultz: " Like this right-wing slut, what’s her name, Laura Ingraham? Yeah, she’s a talk slut."
Wanda Sykes: "You might want to look into this, sir, because I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker but he was just so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight. … Rush Limbaugh . . . country fails, I hope his kidneys fail, how about that?"
Matt Taibi: "So Andrew Breitbart is dead. Here’s what I have to say to that, and I’m sure Breitbart himself would have respected this reaction: Good! F*ck him. I couldn’t be happier that he’s dead"