John McCain: Rush Limbaugh Comments Were 'Totally Unacceptable'

WASHINGTON — Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain said it's "totally unacceptable" for Rush Limbaugh to call a law student a "slut" in the political furor over requiring that women get birth control coverage free of charge.

Speaking Monday on the CBS program `This Morning,' the Arizona senator said Limbaugh's statements were unacceptable "in every way" and "should be condemned" by people across the political spectrum.

On CNN's "Starting Point," McCain again called Limbaugh's comments "unacceptable." "Well, I'm sure he's an entertainer, but his remarks are totally unacceptable, totally and completely unacceptable, and there's no place for it," he said.

Limbaugh has apologized for the outburst on his radio program last week. Republican presidential candidates have distanced themselves from his comments, though not as forcefully as McCain. Democrats are seizing on the flap to accuse Republicans of waging a "war on women."

At issue is whether women working for employers affiliated with a religion should get free birth control under President Barack Obama's health care law.

Comments

[I7Rf7gKh6Fj5kJ4]

03:54 AM on 03/08/2012

they are both unacceptable. remove them both.

[Vespasian]

12:08 PM on 03/06/2012

Good for old John. This took some courage... for a republican politician to criticize the Rush. Maybe I will forgive him for his unbelievable gaff in foisting Sarah Palin on us after all. Someday...

[Althea1234]

08:42 AM on 03/06/2012

You know why McCain can say that about Rush and no other republican male has the nerve to defend Sandra ? Because unlike the GOP chickens in the senate and congress and running for the Whitehouse John McCain is not afraid of Rush Limbaugh. I guess being a POW built him into a man who can stand by basic principles and not fear standing up to bullies. Shame about the rest of them.
Typical of the GOP though ---like Bush sending never having served in a war but not worried about sending your kids there to fight.

[alisonv]

09:38 AM on 03/07/2012

He isn't afraid now that he isn't running for office. But at least he spoke up.

[drwtsn]

02:47 AM on 03/06/2012

Monday, huh? Did John just wake up from his five day nap?

[oldpreacherman]

12:52 AM on 03/06/2012

Anyone who thinks Rush didn't set this up for publicity is kidding themselves. He is the puppet-master and you are all jumping at the end of his strings. The advertisers are already replaced and his ratings go higher still.

[Impulse725]

01:15 AM on 03/06/2012

Just like Beck!

Oh wait...

[AlPennington]

12:21 AM on 03/06/2012

Rush's apology is equivalent to the tried and true: "If my words offended anyone......." If he wasn't making a genuine apology, then no apology would have been better.

[wvchip]

11:47 PM on 03/05/2012

I ;wonder if McCain knows rush was a draft dodger, nothing against draft dodgers. I wasn't exactly asking to be picked either, but, the leader of the gop? I do agree with Ron Paul that if you refuse to serve yourself, you lose the right to send other peoples kids to fight. I have two kids in military acadamies and these gop leaders worry me.

[grandpaMark]

11:44 PM on 03/05/2012

Good job, John! Now, tell the truth about that simpleton whom you foisted on our country as your vp selection.

[jgthomas]

11:37 PM on 03/05/2012

When you allow someone to make a living being contrivercial and saying mean nasty things they will get worse and feel they are menat to say these things over time. It seems he feels empowered tosay these things and as time goes by they get meaner. If he doesn't then he looses his relevance for his entire career is based on saying horible, nasty, mean, sexist, or etc. To keep his audiance he has to top the last thing he said. This is the type of commentary the Republicans have fostered and supported. This is why many think that Republican is another word for hate.

[The Contrary]

11:30 PM on 03/05/2012

Bravo Sen. McCain! Cannot agree w/ on your political ideology but at least we can agree on the American value of common decency and that Rush has crossed the "red line" by insulting Ms. Fluke and American women as a whole.

[GrammaTina]

11:01 PM on 03/05/2012

John, John, John. Even you, yes YOU, did not pay attention to what this was about. It was not about FREE birth control - it was about insurance coverage.

[jgthomas]

11:38 PM on 03/05/2012

yes sience when is insurance coverage free? Or anything bought through it?

[drwtsn]

02:53 AM on 03/06/2012

Insurance isn't free. Ms. Fluke pay the entire cost of her insurance. However, the ACA made many preventive services free (no copay) because they save money long-term.

[GrammaTina]

03:28 PM on 03/06/2012

You got that right. :)

[littlebrowngirl]

10:58 PM on 03/05/2012

Someone woke grandpa.

[Mountainviewkat]

10:45 PM on 03/05/2012

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/sec-panetta-get-rush-limbaugh-armed-forces-radio-now-no-tax-money-abusive-divisive-insulting/p439GWMm

[Mauri Helms]

10:42 PM on 03/05/2012

never thought I'd say this, but kudos McCain

[RJB6]

11:19 PM on 03/05/2012

Same here !

[Npn Npn]

10:35 PM on 03/05/2012

Meaghen must be twisting his ear for the moment.