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Rush Limbaugh's Comments Shock Both Sides Of Reproductive Rights Debate

Paige Brettingen |
March 2, 2012 | 12:01 p.m. PST

Executive Producer

Rush Limbaugh (Courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons)
Rush Limbaugh (Courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons)

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh lashed out today about President Obama's support of Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke who had testified to Congress earlier this week that birth control should be covered by health insurance.

According to The Washington Post, "Limbaugh said Fluke’s insistence on wanting contraception made her a “slut” and a “prostitute.”"  White House spokesman Jay Carney said that President Obama called Fluke Friday and "expressed disappointment that she was the subject of personal attacks."  Carney said Obama believed "Limbaugh’s comments were 'unfortunate attacks.'” Carney also called the comments 'reprehensible.'"

More from ABC News:

  • After learning of the president's phone call during his radio show today, a day after he chided Fluke over her sex life, Limbaugh made a kissing noise with his lips and mocked Obama.
  • "That is so compassionate. What a great guy," Limbaugh said. "The president called her to make sure she's OK. What is she, 30 years old? Thirty years old, student at Georgetown Law who admits to having so much sex she can't afford it."
  • On his radio show, Limbaugh continued to focus on Fluke today, saying she "hilariously" testified to Congress that "she's having so much sex" that health insurance should cover her birth control.

Fluke, who is finishing her third year of law school at Georgetown- a Catholic university, has received the support of University President John J. Degioia for her decision to speak out about women's issues.  Though she and Degioia share different viewpoints, the university president chided Limbaugh's comments:

"We do not need to agree with Sandra Fluke's position to support her right to respectful free expression. Rush Limbaugh and commentators throughout the blogosphere and various other media channels responded with behavior that can only be described as misogynistic, vitriolic, and a misrepresentation of the position of our student," said Degioia.

Fluke shared her reactions to Limbaugh's comments on MSNBC:

"There have been highs and lows, yes. So it's been quite a journey, and I am just happy that what seems to be happening in the process is that America is hearing the voices of the women affected by lack of contraception coverage and who will benefit from this policy.  That is really what is most important for me, and that is why I've been working on this for years honestly," Fluke said.

House Speaker John Boehner's spokesman, Michael Steel, didn't comment whether Boehner thought Limbaugh should apologize but did say that the Speaker "obviously believes the use of those words was inappropriate."

See the interview with Sandra Fluke here:

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