Romney’s Double Standard: Gives Limbaugh A Pass For Sexist Remarks, But ‘Outraged’ At Bill Maher

[ProSense]

Romney’s Double Standard: Gives Limbaugh A Pass For Sexist Remarks, But ‘Outraged’ At Bill Maher

By Faiz Shakir

When Rush Limbaugh called Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute” repeatedly, all Mitt Romney could say was that “it’s not the language I would have used.” Asked later about Limbaugh, Romney added, “I’m not going to weigh in on that particular controversy.”

While Romney refused to issue a strong condemnation of the language used by Limbaugh, he’s far more willing to do it against liberal pundit Bill Maher:

In an appearance on the Sean Hannity radio show, Romney said, “Frankly, what Bill Maher said, and I finally read the transcripts, I was offended, outraged that a person would say that on TV and would not have been called on the carpet before now and not apologized for it. To have the Obama campaign retain a million dollars from Bill Maher, it is simply outrageous. I don’t condone that kind of language and particularly in a public setting, a TV setting.… It’s just gone way beyond the pale.”

Maher used a crude epithet to describe Sarah Palin, an act which ThinkProgress criticized him for. Defending his language about Palin, Maher said, “ To compare that to Rush is ridiculous – he went after a civilian about very specific behavior… I used a rude word about a public figure who gives as good as she gets.”

Why is Romney willing to give Limbaugh a pass while claiming Bill Maher is “beyond the pale”? As Romney himself said, “Well, you know, I find it hard to disagree with Rush Limbaugh on topics.”

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/03/15/445818/romneys-double-standard-gives-limbaugh-a-pass-for-sexist-remarks-but-outraged-at-bill-maher/

[southernyankeebelle]

1. Why should anyone be surprised. Remember when Limpy said the word "Ret**d?

Sarah Palin jumped in to defend him. Yet when Rahm said it she thought he should have been fired.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

2. Romney inconsistent? NOOOOO !

Good God can anyone imagine what four years of this slimy, unctuous, slick, slithering, ultra-creepy, flip-flopping double-talker would be like if Democrats don't show up en masse at the polls in November?

[madokie]

3. He said it and should be reminded of it frequently

As Romney himself said, “Well, you know, I find it hard to disagree with Rush Limbaugh on topics.” Yeah we know mittens, you show it every turn you make.

[chowder66]

4. It's so wrong it's funny.

Maher is a professional comedian. Comedians are well known to go after tough topics and people expect them to be offensive if that's their shtick - equal opportunity basher Don Rickles was a master at that. But at times they can go too far and we have the right to say No and shame on you. Most people apologize or tone it down. Rush has yet to actually apologize and I doubt he would agree to tone it down.
It's funny that the option to adjust/self-correct has not even really been something I think Rush has even considered.

For those that say that this is some sort of bad thing to ask advertisers to pull ads should be reminded that Rush could always agree to apologize and make some adjustments for the better- kind of like how normal human beings act after being reprimanded.

Romeny obviously does not understand comedy or punishment and the choice to behave better.

If Rush doesn't want to behave better then he can retire and take Romney with him.

[applegrove]

5. They are making an example out of Maher to ward off any famous people giving lots of money to Dems.

[RZM]

6. Doubtful. What the right says about Maher

Or anybody else will have no bearing on who gives what this cycle.