Palin withdraws criticism of Limbaugh over ‘R-word’
February 8th, 2010From Politicsdaily.com, Miami Herald:
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sarah Palin withdrew her earlier mild criticism of Rush Limbaugh’s repeated use of the word ‘retard’ on his nationally syndicated radio show last week. She said she found his remarks “hysterical” and characterized them as “satire.”
In response to earlier questioning about Limbaugh’s broadcast, a Palin spokeswoman had issued a statement criticizing “crude and demeaning name-calling at the expense of others,” but then said her statement was not specifically meant to describe Limbaugh. (On his website, Limbaugh said the spokeswoman called his office “in a sort of a panic” to make clear that Palin was not criticizing Limbaugh.)
Here’s a partial transcript of Palin’s conversation with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, courtesy of politicsdaily.com:
WALLACE: … Rush Limbaugh weighed in this week and he said this, “Our politically correct society is acting like some giant insult’s taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards ‘retards.’”
PALIN: He was hysterical in that.
WALLACE: Wait, let me finish. “I mean…”
PALIN: OK.
WALLACE: “… these people, these liberal activists, are kooks.” Should Rush Limbaugh apologize?
PALIN: They are kooks, so I agree with Rush Limbaugh. Rush Limbaugh was using satire to bring attention to what this politically correct…
WALLACE: But he used the “R” word.
PALIN: Using satire. Name-calling by anyone — I teach this to my children. You teach it to your children and your grandchildren, too. Name-calling by anyone — it’s just unnecessary. It just wastes time. Let’s speak to the issues and, again, let’s move on.
WALLACE: But you know what some people are going to say, Governor, and have said? They say, “Look, when it’s her political adversary, Rahm Emanuel, she’s going to call him out. ‘He’s indecent, apologize.’ But when it’s a political friend like Rush Limbaugh, ‘Oh, it’s satire.’”
PALIN: I didn’t hear Rush Limbaugh calling a group of people whom he did not agree with “f’ing retards.” And we did know that Rahm Emanuel — it’s been reported — did say that. There’s a big difference there.
But again, name-calling, using language that is insensitive, by anyone — male, female, Republican, Democrat — it’s unnecessary. It’s inappropriate. And let’s all just grow up.
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February 9th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Rahm Emanuel is known for his foul mouth and bully attitude. What he said was in poor taste, immature, and flat out inappropriate, but it was said in a closed room to his associates, and was not directed at people who have a real reason to take offense. Rush Limbaugh purposely put his comments out there on the airwaves to be heard by millions of his listeners. His use of the term r—- summit, is lower than low. Limbaugh owes much more of an apology than Emanuel, although he has been given a pass by the very person who had the loudest outcry when the original story broke.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I’ve never been a fan of Rush Limbaugh. I had high hopes for Sarah Palin and still maybe she can do good things for those with developmental disabilities. Right now I am very disappointed in the angle she has taken with Rush Limbaugh. He shouldn’ t get a pass on this. Time to move along.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
She is not a spokesperson for the disability community and should not pretend to be.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Wow. I am so glad I didn’t bet money on this! I was so sure that Rush would throw her a bone and stage some sort of event where he would not agree to be PC, but would defer to a mother’s righteous rage….
I have not been a Palin fan, especially because I wasn’t sure she had what it takes to be an advocate, but she was thought of as one by default. I started to gain a little respect for her last week. Guess I’m off that hook!
February 8th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I found the following as a way to get in touch with Limbaugh.
You can call The Rush Limbaugh Show program line between 12 Noon and 3PM Eastern Time at: 1-800-282-2882
You can e-mail Rush at: rush@eibnet.com
You can fax Rush at: 212-445-3963
You can write Rush at:
The Rush Limbaugh Show
1270 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
February 8th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
What a letdown. I don’t like Palin, but I was hoping she’d use her position to become a disability rights advocate. The disabled community could use somebody that’s in the spotlight on their side. Rush is so extreme. Do all Republicans back everything he says?
February 8th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Could this woman be more hypocritical? She calls on Emanuel to step down, or for the White House to fire him, and then calls the same language use “satire” or an “oversight” (as with a recent Perry aide in Texas). And to think she is a parent of a child with intellectual disabilities is just disgusting. Her lack of understanding of so many issues — this one in particular — should be reason enough for any political party to cast her off as a potential “leader” in any capacity.