Obama: Limbaugh’s name calling is ‘reprehensible’

President Obama today telephoned the Georgetown University law student who was called a “slut” and “prostitute” by Rush Limbaugh, who is getting hit from all sides.

Obama called to express his “disappointmnent” that Sandra Fluke has been subjected to “inappropriate personal attacks,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

The president found Limbaugh’s comments “reprehensible” and “crude,” Carney said.

Limbaugh took fire from Republicans as well: House Speaker John Boehner said the comments are “inappropriate.” Ex-Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, a former Senate candidate, said the words were “insulting” and “incendiary.” Democrats want an apology.

And two advertisers have pulled their commercials from Limbaugh’s radio show.

Limbaugh spoke about Fluke, who gained notoriety because Republicans blocked her from testifying at a hearing on Obama’s rule on contraceptives, during his syndicated show Wednesday. She later testified about the benefits of contraceptives on women’s health at a hearing called by Democrats.

Here’s what Limbaugh said:

The reaction that they are having to what I said yesterday about Susan Fluke — or Sandra Fluke, whatever her name is — the Georgetown student who went before a congressional committee and said she’s having so much sex, she’s going broke buying contraceptives and wants us to buy them. I said, ‘Well, what would you call someone who wants us to pay for her to have sex? What would you call that woman? You’d call ’em a slut, a prostitute or whatever.

Carney said Obama thanked Fluke for speaking out on issues. “He felt the kinds of personal attacks that have been directed at her are inappropriate,” Carney said.

On MSNBC today, Fluke said she appreciated Obama’s call. “What was really personal for me was that he said to tell my parents that they should be proud,” she said.

The Obama rule requires most employers to offer health insurance that includes coverage for contraceptives without any co-payment. It was amended after heavy criticism from Catholic groups. Now, religious schools, hospitals and charities can avoid paying for contraceptives as long as their insurance carriers do.

The reaction to Limbaugh’s comments has been fierce.

“The speaker obviously believes the use of those words was inappropriate, as is trying to raise money off the situation,” said Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner.

John DiGioia, president of Georgetown University, said in an open letter to the university’s community that Fluke has been “respectful, sincere” and that she “spoke with conviction” on Capitol Hill. Criticism directed at her from Limbaugh and others, however, “can only be described as misogynistic, vitriolic and a misrepresentation of the position of our student.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent out an e-mail titled “Rush is reading this,” seeking 250,000 signatures on a petition asking House GOP leaders to denounce Limbaugh’s remarks.

The Sleep Train Mattress company announced on its Twitter account today that it would pull advertising from Limbaugh’s show because “we don’t condone negative comments directed toward any group.” Select Comfort, which makes the Sleep Number bed, is also suspending its advertising.

Source: USA Today