Along with most of the nation, University students and professors are largely inflamed by radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, who recently made several controversial birth-control statements on his show that have sparked contention among politics and the media. Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown University law student, expressed her support for President Barack Obama’s policy on birth control, which requires healthcare coverage for contraceptives, at an unofficial congressional hearing last month.
Limbaugh responded to her statement, saying, “What does it say about the college coed Susan Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex.”
Limbaugh, who mistakenly called the student “Susan,” has retracted his comments and apologized.
While some supporters have backed Limbaugh’s remarks, many found them to be inappropriate. The host has since lost the support of several of his show’s advertisers.
Limbaugh’s comments have gained notoriety in the media and have crept into the political arena.
“These comments were a distraction from the messages that the Republican candidates were trying to put forward,” said James Garand, political science professor.
While the uproar following Limbaugh’s comments has subsided, Garand said Democrats will likely continue to remind voters about his comments as the general election approaches.
“These comments are already being used in fundraising letters by Democrats and the Obama administration,” he said.
Garand said he expects Limbaugh’s comments will also be revived during any further discussion regarding contraception.
But Garand said he thinks Obama’s phone call to Fluke was politically motivated.
“The Obama administration is looking to support their policy relating to contraception and religious freedom, and the president saw an opportunity to make political hay,” he said.
From the perspective of Democrats, the phone call to Fluke was a smart move, but Garand said many wonder why the president hasn’t spoken out against negative comments about conservative women, including former presidential Republican candidate
Michele Bachmann and former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin.
“The president didn’t make a similar call to Sarah Palin when Bill Maher made similar comments,” he said.
Maher, political commentator and stand-up comedian, made several remarks about Palin during his satirical comedy show, including calling her the “c-word” during one of his stand-up acts last year.
“Many people consider that to be as bad, if not worse, than what Limbaugh said,” Garand said.
Shortly following Limbaugh’s comments, Obama accepted a million-dollar campaign donation toward his Super PAC from Maher, and
Palin demanded the president return the money to Maher.
“A lot of people see his acceptance of Maher’s donation as an inconsistency,” Garand said.  
While Gingrich stated Limbaugh’s comments were inappropriate, many think the GOP candidates should have further expressed their thoughts on the incident.
But Garand said the Republican candidates have “spoken their piece” on contraception and religious freedom and have indicated that Limbaugh does not represent the voice of the Republican Party.
“The Republican candidates want these comments to go away,” he said. “They’re between a rock and a hard place. They certainly are unhappy he made those comments and distracted people from the campaigns, but they don’t want to anger Limbaugh’s supporters either.”
Along with the normal stresses of the campaign, Garand said Limbaugh’s comments have made it increasingly difficult for the nominees to run their campaigns.
“It’s very interesting how difficult it is for political candidates to control their environments when running a campaign,” he said. “The
Republican candidates are going to have to walk a thin line between supporters of Limbaugh and other people.” Bailey Nunez, English and Spanish freshman, said she has mixed feelings about the controversy.
“Personally, I feel like he shouldn’t be calling people names like that, but constitutionally, I suppose there’s nothing wrong with it,” she said.
 
____ Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]