Republicans Turning Their Backs On Women

The blow back from Rush Limbaugh’s sexist criticism of Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke is starting to hit Limbaugh and his Clear Channel employer where it hurts most...in the wallet.  Twelve sponsors of Limbaugh’s radio program have pulled their ads.  Two radio broadcast affiliates have announced their decision to drop the program.  Armed Forces Radio is also making plans to oust Limbaugh from its programming.  Each cited Limbaugh’s three day tirade against Ms. Fluke as the reason for their decision. 

This appears to be just the tip of the iceberg, as criticism of the bombastic conservative talk show host continues blanket the airwaves.

President Obama called Ms. Fluke and offered his support.  He praised her courage for taking a stand and told her that her parents would be very proud of strength and character.

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, the presumptive leaders of the Republican Party, said…nothing.  Actually Romney said “it’s not the language I would have used.” (So other than using the words “slut” and “prostitute” the rest of it was ok?)  He then went on to recite the words to Disney’s “Davey Crocket” to a gathering of supporters in Tennessee. 

Santorum dismissed Limbaugh’s comments as “absurd”.   

That’s it. 

Neither candidate had the courage to do the right thing and condemn Limbaugh’s relentless attack on Ms. Fluke.  In fact not one member of the Republican Party has spoken out against Limbaugh.  Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell…all silent as a church full of monks.  Republicans are all fired up and ready to bomb Iran and Syria.  But none of them have the courage to stand up against Limbaugh.

Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and the other Republican leaders are so obtuse on this issue.  They have no concept of the damage that their silence is having on their Party.  Their silence on the Limbaugh fiasco comes on the heels of contesting a woman’s access to contraceptives and mandating women undergo trans-vaginal ultrasounds prior to receiving abortion services. 

Could their total disregard for women’s rights be any clearer?