Senate Democrats Launch Petition Targeting Rush Limbaugh

WASHINGTON -- House Democrats have raised more than $1.1 million and collected almost 500,000 signatures with their "war on women" campaign, in just over a week. Now Senate Democrats want a piece of the action.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee launched an online petition on Thursday to rally supporters to denounce conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh for his attacks on Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown law student at the center of the contraception debate raging on Capitol Hill. Limbaugh called Fluke "a slut" and "a prostitute" for testifying before Congress in support of employers providing coverage for birth control. On Friday, he demanded that Fluke release tapes of her having sex in exchange for the contraception that she argued should be covered by employers.

"This is misogyny, plain and simple. And it must be called out. Will you sign our petition and stand with us against these vile attacks?" reads the Thursday email signed by DSCC executive director Guy Cecil. "Personal attacks on a student -- and all women -- simply can't be ignored. Stand with us, and denounce Rush Limbaugh’s vile attacks. Send Republicans the message that we’re not going to sit by and take it."

Senate Democrats also cast Limbaugh as representative of what the Republican Party has become. Their email features a picture of his face over the words: "Rush Limbaugh: The GOP Mouthpiece." It then links out to a petition that urges supporters to call out misogyny when it happens, "especially when it comes from a mouthpiece of the Republican Party."

The petition has already collected 100,000 signatures in less than 24 hours, the fastest the DSCC has ever collected so many signatures, according to DSCC spokesman Shripal Shah. On top of that, the DSCC has also purchased online ads on Facebook, Twitter and Google to draw in more people to its petition. The ads are expected to run for a few weeks.

Shah said Senate Democrats aren't raising money off of Limbaugh's remarks right now and wouldn't say how much the DSCC has raised amid the debate on contraception. But the group's campaigns are clearly gaining traction among supporters.

As a result of campaigning on the "war on women," Shah said, in February alone, "We saw our online fundraising nearly triple."

Comments

[docsong]

03:45 PM on 03/05/2012

I wager it won't be long before Kathryn will be number 4

[docsong]

03:40 PM on 03/05/2012

I miss read the artical title, I thought it said Democrats Launch Cruise Missile Targeting Rush Limbaugh, I was going to dance and high five.

[bax918]

03:54 PM on 03/04/2012

Is this what we pay our Washington legislators for, calling out public people who have different opinions, different ideologies and different messages, right or wrong? And you folks calling out our republican leaders for treating American women like the Taliban treat their women? Seriously? The lack of knowledge about anything these days really alarms me including who really got movements like civil and womens rights moving forward in this country. That said, neither party is representing the people anymore ... That is we, the people! WAKE UP and realize what is going on here folks. They are pitting us against each other like the WWF. Meanwhile, they are building their kingdoms, millionaire and elite status and they play golf together at night while we continue to struggle, fight amongst ourselves and they focus our attention on what people like Rush said or how Santorum feels about birth control. Really, those are our biggest concerns?

[ConDsenXieN]

06:35 PM on 03/04/2012

I actually agree....that's one hell of a post, man....F&F.

[mredundee]

04:09 PM on 03/16/2012

You are correct, sir. The Congressfolk may claim they're responding to their constituants--since when have they cared what we think? Embarrassing grandstanding. Get to work on real stuff!!!

And, having said that----Rush still bad.

[BiznessLady]

03:15 PM on 03/04/2012

I am glad the time has finally come. Black folks have been fighting hard against Rush for years now and we were certain that he would be emboldened to go even further in his assault on decency and common sense and he hasn't failed us.

A part of me is upset that the the many reprehensible comments he has made about entire races and ethnicities were not enough to get his sponsors to bail, but as a Black Woman who is sick of this GOP War on Women and rise of racial insensitivity and oppression I am ready to engage the tip and shaft of my activist spear and will put my money and some time behind it.

My friends Mother whose granddaughter attends Georgetown and has four other grandkids in college has cut ties with Santorum as well and called him a fair weather Christian. "Common decency tells anybody that Rush was wrong, this was his second time to stand on the side of God and he didn't do it. O'Reilly, Santorum and all of them should be ashamed of themselves".

[kokobin]

05:20 AM on 03/04/2012

This proves that one person, odious and vile enough
can help rally the masses to reinvigorate volunteers
to turn out and work hard for your candidates against the
nasty re_pukes.
With all women affected by re_pulsives' continued assaults
by legislation, Democrats can be virtually certain the 99% will
come out in numbers large enough to matter decisively - whether
it is a recall voting here or a re-taking of seats there, the force
of the 99% would be felt come 2012 elections.
Obama/Biden 2012

[Duke Devil]

03:08 AM on 03/04/2012

1st amendment? Hello.......!@#

[trussia1]

05:40 AM on 03/04/2012

It appears that several of his advertisers look at him as a liability now. Yes there's the first amendment, but sponsors don't have to stick around while you make comments like this guy with a history of sprouting from his big bazoo. It was bound to happen one day. That day may have come

[Backpacker Greg]

10:25 AM on 03/04/2012

Hey, Ditto head! Hello! It's great that instead of espousing a misinterpreted view of the 2nd amendment, you find yourself in the uncomfortable position of defending the 1st amendment. However, you apparently also have a confused viewpoint of free speech, which offers protection from GOVERNMENT interference. We the people (and business entities, who must consider their public images, profits, etc.) certainly have the right -- even the responsibility -- to stand up to rogues, such as Limbaugh, Beck, O'Reilly, and others who have made similarly despicable statements. That is the difference, my friend!

[askandtell]

05:39 PM on 03/04/2012

F&F Greg.

[docsong]

03:53 PM on 03/05/2012

Keep your comments coming, we need some more coherence here:-)

[SherylValentine]

11:50 PM on 03/03/2012

Rush idiot, is a disgrace to this country. Amazing to me that republicans support him...but then, I've come to think of the republican party, as the party of selfish people...own it!

[jackdablues]

04:13 PM on 03/03/2012

Why was my post regarding a previous post asking why my posts were deleted, was again taken down?

[jackdablues]

04:05 PM on 03/03/2012

Why was my post taken down? It didn't have anything that right huff post allows republicans post

[Duke Devil]

03:17 AM on 03/04/2012

I dunno, Jack. However, this has happened to me before. Guess "they" think they can HUFF and puff and blow your house (or in your case post) down!@# Censorship anyone? 1st Amendement? Bet you had something truthful to say and old HUFF just couldn't handle it.

[yellow marshmallow]

09:19 AM on 03/04/2012

Yes, the scarey 'they' who hide under your bed just waiting for you to fall asleep so 'they' can take your gun from under your pillow and steal your 1st amendment rights! Better sleep with your momma from now on!

[MichaelAKD]

02:23 PM on 03/03/2012

most companies have been smart and removed their advertising but two have communicated they won’t, it doesn’t matter to them. be it facebook, word of mouth or whatever we can make a difference. let it be know to the remaining advertisers that continue to support limbaugh that it isn't a smart business move or an ethical one for that matter. the two that i am aware of are Quicken Loans part of the intuit family of products and the company ProFlowers' as they too have stuck with limbaugh. free speech means he has the right to say what he wants but it also demands we too have the right to counter his and show it isn’t okay and we won't support ignorance and hate. exercise your your right to free speech and make a difference, let these companies know, money talks and bull,...walks.

[blueskyseas]

07:12 AM on 03/04/2012

I read Quicken Loans is leaving...

It's on the internet, it must be true ;)

[sanang]

02:16 PM on 03/03/2012

Republican men are trying to control women like the Tailban? I think so.

[thewestyard]

12:06 AM on 03/04/2012

you sound like mental case ah

[Mick Muck]

09:41 AM on 03/04/2012

No, I think that's a fair, sane assessment

[chiefsfan12871]

02:04 PM on 03/03/2012

The economy is in the tank, gas prices are raising, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are going south,Iran is threatening Israel, medical insurance is being forced down are throats, the middle class is disappearing, the poor are getting poorer, homes are still being lost, government spending is out of control, unemployment is still too high and this is the solution the Democrats come up with. Silencing Rush Limbaugh's free speech is way down on the food chain. in three years nothing has changed except more intrusion by the Obama socialistic party. You are not smarter then me. only i no what is best for me, leave me alone and solve some real problems you liberal hacks or just deport yourselves.YES WE CAN!!! But only if the government says it's o.k.

[Dan Jack]

03:37 PM on 03/03/2012

WOW!!!

[sukahpunch7]

07:19 PM on 03/03/2012

Whoa, Whoa!!

[badwolf62]

01:17 PM on 03/03/2012

This almost reminds me of an old SNL skit with Jane Curtain and Dan Akroyd called point and counterpoint. every argument Dan made started with "Jane you incredibly ignorant slut". The skit was funny, Rush's use was not to be funny and was meant to hurt. That's the difference between comedy and reality. Too bad the GOP doesn't know the difference!

[sukahpunch7]

07:21 PM on 03/03/2012

Hah!

[Tony Moschetti]

01:06 PM on 03/03/2012

"Senate Democrats Launch Petition Targeting Rush Limbaugh"

Of course they do, as they target anyone who cherishes traditional values, and loves this country. This poor little coed was no more than a Democrat activist and plant. Of the 41,987 articles about this poor little girl, NONE mentioned who she REALLY is:

"The Democrats did, however, invite one woman to speak: Sandra Fluke, a third-year student at Georgetown Law and past president of the school’s Students for Reproductive Justice group."

"past president of the school’s Students for Reproductive Justice group." Would anyone who uses this dishonest site know who she really is? Of course not, the dishonest liberals only report one side ov EVERY story. This is no more than the Obama Newsletter!

Here is an article about another Georgetown female student. Have you seen this on this administration newsletter? http://thecollegeconservative.com/2012/03/02/sandra-fluke-does-not-speak-for-me/

Of course not!

[PCPrincess]

01:42 PM on 03/03/2012

Seriously, I'll give you the first tin-foil hat I produce in my new factory.

[badwolf62]

01:44 PM on 03/03/2012

SO! everyone is entitled their own opinion and obviously a committee cannot hear all of them. that's no excuse to use foul and vulgar accusations towards someone. If Rush had an intelligent arguement, people would listen. This type attack is uncalled for and despicable at best. I read your article and that's her opinion which she is entitled to. Suggestive and pornographic statements are ridiculous and is there is no defense for it.

[Tony Moschetti]

10:51 AM on 03/04/2012

I will admit that Rush made a rare mistake here in not realizing that this story would reach large numbers of people that do not listen to his show, or understand his use of absurdity to show absurdity, which this issue is.

If you listened you could clearly discern the chuckling, and understand the intent. Unfortunately if one simply reads what he said, it becomes a whole different story.

But it has since beeb discovered that Fluke is not merely a poor 23 year old coed put upon by Trogladites like Rush, but rather a THIRTY year old woman with a history of liberal activism who did not miraculously show up at Madam Comrade Pelosi's hearing.

She, in fact, chose Georgetown, knowing about their policy as a CATHOLIC U., to fight their policy, and not ironically, just as the Democrats in a transparent attempt to divert our attention from the massive problems with the economy, and particularly jobs!

The Democrats are brilliant at such things. And the Republicans are embarrassingly falling into their well planned trap!

Ms. Fluke was NO fluke in this story!

[HOMEY1]

01:01 PM on 03/03/2012

i see alot of repug shills are saying they are being censored. oh look at me i am so important that they dont want to show my posts. please if you think that is true go post where you can be heard
why bother if you are being singled out because you are speaking talking points from rethuggary.

bye bye

[tuliehowller]

02:04 PM on 03/03/2012

No wonder, the stuff that is getting thru is unbelievable...that anyone could actually defend this man is sickening in it's self.

[thewestyard]

12:08 AM on 03/04/2012

America the Beutiful