Celinda Lake: No Democratic Conspiracy With Sandra Fluke (UPDATE)

Pollster Celinda Lake responded on Friday to the rumblings of conservative commentators who claim the Obama administration planted Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke to distract from Republican opposition to its birth control rule.

"I appreciate the paranoia and conspiracy theory -- coming from the land of black 'helicopters,'" Lake wrote in a comment Friday on a WND.com "exclusive" report. "I am also really flattered by the perception of our influence and strategic involvement. That said, we had nothing to do with organizing the Sandra Fluke incident and reaction."

"Actually, Rush Limbaugh and Congressman Issa created this," she said. Lake Research Partners, which is led by Lake, confirmed that she wrote the comment.

Fluke became the subject of attacks after she testified to House Democrats about birth control, following a ruling by the Obama administration that contraception be covered by employer insurance. Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney (N.Y.) originally requested that Fluke testify in front of the House Oversight Committee, but she was rejected by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who said she was unqualified. Fluke would have been the only woman on the panel. Republicans said that the administration's rule violated religious freedom under the First Amendment, and some targeted Fluke specifically for pointing out the many health-related uses of birth control.

The religious freedom argument quickly became overshadowed by comments on Fluke's personal life, particularly those from conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who called her a "slut" who wanted the government to pay for her sexual activity.

The president reached out to Fluke last week and said Tuesday that he reached out because he wouldn't want his daughters "attacked or called horrible names because they're being good citizens" for speaking their minds.

Conservatives responded by questioning whether the president, and Democrats in general, were using Fluke to advance their position on contraception.

In the WND.com article, "Is This Why Sandra Fluke Went Public?" Aaron Klein wrote that Fluke's testimony was pushed by Rep. Maloney, who has been a client of Lake, as has House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The proof cited was that Lake "recently ran extensive polling in an effort to gauge voters' reactions to including birth control or contraception in insurance coverage."

Klein also wrote that Fluke was defended in an open letter by Georgetown University students and faculty, including a woman who served as adviser to Undersecretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy. Klein added that John Podesta, the former head of the Center for American progress, is currently a visiting professor at Georgetown.

Limbaugh and Fox News hosts Bill O'Reilly and Eric Boiling said this week the Obama administration is behind Fluke's testimony.

O'Reilly pointed to Fluke's pro bono representation by a PR firm led by Anita Dunn, who has previously served in the White House.

"Now, late today we found out that Ms. Fluke is now being repped by the progressive PR agency SKDKnickerbocker where Anita Dunn, the former Obama communications director is the managing editor ... A-ha!" O'Reilly posted to his Fox News page on Thursday. "So, this whole deal comes back to the White House, at least indirectly."

UPDATE: 4:15 p.m. -- After this story was published, Lake reiterated to HuffPost that neither she nor the other Democrats accused were now conspiring to protect the president. She said Republicans are in a bad place because language like "slut" and "whore" would turn off women voters in general, even those who disagree with the birth control rule.

"I'm flabbergasted. I think it's bizarre," she said of the conspiracy claims. "All I can say is they're trying to deflect because they won't condemn Rush Limbaugh. They can't cut their losses and so they're trying to deflect, but they sound like raving maniacs. ... I don't think it's going to even remotely work."

Mike McAuliff contributed reporting.

CORRECTION: This article originally misspelled Fluornoy's first name. We have corrected the error.

Comments

[OnAndOnSOH]

05:45 PM on 03/14/2012

Republicans are still defending Rush's slander against this woman. It is amazing that anyone who actually cares about family values continues to vote Republican today.

[Broderick Crawford]

11:56 AM on 03/13/2012

Issa did help create this incident by not allowing non-experts such as Fluke to testify. But typically this is how congress operates. Hearings such as exploring religious freedom versus unconstitutional mandates like this one, or any other hearings with a specific purpose are usually conducted with expert witness testimony. In the hearings where Barry Lynn was scheduled to testify who has a theology degree from Boston University School of Theology, he would be considered an expert. As a last minute replacement the democrats decided to insert Sandra Fluke, a 30 year old college student and remove Barry Lynn the expert. Since she was obviously not an expert about religion in any sense Issa rightfully declined to allow her to testify. Although the democrats engineered a press conference spearheaded by Nancy Pelosi and made to look like the Issa congressional hearing, Sandra Fluke testified about something unrelated to the actual hearing, contraception. The Issa hearing was not about religious freedom versus contraception but was about religious freedom versus unconstitutional mandates. So the old media ran with the facade which overshadowed the intents and purposes of the findings because of the controversy. Sandra Fluke didn't testify that she was like what Rush described but she did testify that her so-called unnamed friends were exactly as Rush described.

[JackBlair69]

12:34 AM on 03/13/2012

A good discussion, everyone.

I am convinced, as of this writing, that ANITA DUNN is the lynchpin here.

[See Jake Tapper, ABC News, Feb. 9]. Of course these facts are now completely ignored in the wake of the Issa Hearing/Sandy Fluke/Rush Limbaugh ball-up.

Joe Biden, Panetta, and Bill Daley were all against the "Contraception Rule." As Tapper reported: "Biden and Daley didn’t think the rule was right on either the policy or the politics, sources said."

They argued "that the Obama administration couldn’t force religious charities to pay for something they think is a sin."

Yes, it was (and IS) a First Amendment issue.

"The Vice President and others argued that this wouldn’t be seen as an issue of contraception – it would be seen as an issue of religious liberty."

Amazingly, Joe Biden was correct. Even a blind pig finds some truffles once in a while.

"White House officials now find themselves taking heat on a policy debate about conscience and religious liberty."

This is also true, or at least WAS true up until the Democratic walkout of Issa's hearing.

Arguing for the policy were David Plouffe, Kathleen Sebelius, and Valerie Jarrett.

"Others outside the White House also pushed hard for the rule, including former White House communications director Anita Dunn," as well as Senators Barbra Boxer and Jeanne Shaheen.

[JackBlair69]

01:05 AM on 03/13/2012

Concluded (really, I promise!):

"[The President] and Sebelius felt that the policy needed a way to treat religious universities, hospitals, and charities different than general employers, White House officials insist."

"The Department of Human Services [sic] announced that the policy would not be fully implemented until August 2013, giving the administration and these groups more time to work on a policy that would alleviate most concerns."

This is exactly what Issa's hearing was all about. Why the big rush to hijack the debate?

At least Obama and Sebelius managed to feign a certain level of consideration. Once the barn door was opened, however, Boxer, Shaheen and - yes, ANITA DUNN - bolted out at full speed.

[spongeworthy06]

04:12 PM on 03/12/2012

Why is her agent a secret? They leave no return number as they shop her around

[scififan7]

06:26 PM on 03/12/2012

This woman came out of NOWHERE equiped with an agent in tow.Smells fishy to me.

[Bill Edelman]

11:44 AM on 03/12/2012

nonsense is nonsense. move in, GOP.

[REMEMBER2050]

11:08 AM on 03/12/2012

So the bottom line here is that the Democrats set up a blatant and transparent GOP trap, they stepped right in it because even Issa and Limbaugh colluded with them because they were virtually forced to say terrible things about a frikkin' colelge student, and now they're telling the entire country that they were so stupid that they bought it.

You know, they don't get the half of it. THIS is the Democrat endgame, and it wasn't just to get them to villify Fluke. That was ONLY step 1.

Step 2 was for those evil Democrats to then make the GOP tell the entire country they're so incompetent they can't even figure a damn thing out, which totally takes them out of consideration for getting any 3 a.m. phone calls, unless, of course, they're to place a pizza delivery order. Can you imagine a single person in the country would want to put them in charge of nuclear negotiations with Iran, much less gutting education?

To summarize the results to date:

Democrats: MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE.
GOP: can't strategize their way out of a paper bag.

They might as well throw in the towel and disband. Take down the big circus tent and the whole schmear. They've been PLAYED.

[bipolarbears60]

12:15 PM on 03/12/2012

I'd fan you again if I could..and I couldn't have said that any better.

[William Diaz]

09:12 AM on 03/18/2012

Well said, F&F

Have a great day!

[REMEMBER2050]

04:14 PM on 03/18/2012

And the top of the morning, or afternoon, to you! Right now I'm listening to some tv pundits spinning on the meaning of Santorum saying that Puerto Rico needs to comply with the federal English-only law for them to become a state. WTF. WHAT LAW??? God, if he gets a single delegate from there, I will be seriously p.o.'d! Normally I'd be all great were he the GOP nominee because he is so seriously insane, but in this case, since he's operating on Palin-intelligence level, I'm going to make an exception. Some things are so stupid I'm not giving away free passes.

[jvabevofox]

09:24 AM on 03/12/2012

GOP opens big mouth inserts foot then of course it is a conspiracy. Kind of like Palin claiming quoting her exact words is a distortion of the facts. What a fantasy world the GOP lives in.

[Okieborn]

08:13 AM on 03/12/2012

Issa , Limbaugh, O'Reilly and the rest of the republicans, can play the blame game all they want but it just won't work !
Sandra Fluke stood up for womens rights and the corporate owned republicans wouldn't have it , and now they are going to pay !

[Giggie]

04:23 AM on 03/12/2012

So republicans shooting themselves in the foot on this issue is the fault of democrats. Democrats knew that Rush would say what he did, and that this would work against the republicans. Wow.....I'm really impressed, that's so clever.

[blubird106]

09:47 PM on 03/12/2012

Oh I have to disagree here Giggie. I think even Democrats would never in a million years believe that Swinebaugh would be that freaking out of control in discussing a college student who dared to express an opinion (the nerve of her!!) I mean to guess that he would do what he did one would have to be...ummmm, what's the word.....insane!!

[marco01]

01:04 AM on 03/12/2012

Spin all the conspiracy theories you want, cons. No one is going to believe them except you guys.

[oldpreacherman]

11:56 PM on 03/11/2012

Any bets where Fluke lands next: MSNBC, Democrat political consultant, CNN, Planned Parenthood?

[mareejohnston]

03:36 AM on 03/12/2012

Bravo for her! She is a smart women with a great deal of honest integrity.

[oldpreacherman]

04:05 AM on 03/12/2012

maree. You cheapen those words.

[spongeworthy06]

04:10 PM on 03/12/2012

Lol. Really?

[artist-53]

07:54 AM on 03/12/2012

Are those areas of potential employment illegal?

You make it sound soooo taboo.

I suppose I could list all of the Lobbyists, politicians, generals,rw echo chambers, etc, that have actually been and still are, on the payroll of FNC.

And your point is what?

[forgetpartylines]

02:15 PM on 03/12/2012

How about Rick Santorum working as a "consultant" while lobbying for various firms. But apparently for him to do so is completely legitimate.

[oldpreacherman]

02:26 PM on 03/12/2012

artist. My point is her testimony before the faux Pelosi hearing was a set up.
So how does Pelosi find a 30 year old, professional student, who is an activist, to testify out of thin air? Would you answer who initiated the contact and what was so compelling to have this particular college student to testify. They certainly could have picked a better shill.

[Brad Bishop]

11:02 PM on 03/11/2012

OK. Let's say the Dems did "plant" Fluke. I personally do not believe it, but for sake of argument let's make this assumption.

If this is the case, who are the biggest fools, Fluke and the President or the Repubs who fell for it hook, line, and sinker?

[Ernst Angst]

11:56 PM on 03/11/2012

Victims, not fools, always the victims of something or other. The party of the perpetual personal crisis has it's standards.

[knotsofast]

10:54 PM on 03/11/2012

Hilarious read on Fluke:
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/293094/fluke-charade-mark-steyn

[fran93420]

02:10 PM on 03/12/2012

Good perspective!!

[William Diaz]

09:18 AM on 03/18/2012

God, the GOP and their mouthpieces are horrible people...

Have a great day!

[JackBlair69]

09:41 PM on 03/11/2012

OK, now I hit the "funny" button. Looks like Gloria Allred is involved now. Who didn't see THAT coming a mile away?

I hope Ms. Foley updates soon. There will be a LOT to catch up on soon.

[Colonel Meek]

09:39 PM on 03/11/2012

I don't understand what you are defending? A woman who chose to attend a private university, and when she got there she decided she didn't like the color of the carpet in the student lounge? No, wait, she decided she didn't like the offerings she was required to purchase to attend the university. Offering, carpet, same thing.
Guess what, she had a choice. She could have taken her 30-year old, well-schooled-by-now, person and gone to another university - one where the color of the carpet was more pleasing and one where they offered to attend to her health needs within the financial price of what she was required to pay.
Instead, she asks the government in some psuedo-congressional gathering, one where 3 Dems declined to attend due to the absurdity of her as an authority, to intervene in her choice of universities. Why? Because she thinks she should be able to choose any religion-based school and absolutely require them to disavow themselves of their - well, religion.
Is this what you people are defending?
Do we have to make amends for everyone's poor choices these days? GU is not responsible for Ms. Flukes' lack of ability to make choices that work for her.
No, instead, Ms. Flukes wants GU to have to conform to her!!
Go enroll somewhere else, Ms. Fluke. It's called FREEDOM. It's OK.
She's not any of those names that she was called. But she is a big baby.
Take responsibilty for yourself.

[sjj734]

02:56 AM on 03/12/2012

Wow, did you even read her testimony? Probably not because you have misrepresented so much in your post. The main point she testified to was that these prescriptions were being denied even when not for contraceptive use. That a classmate lost an ovary due to cysts that could have been prevented with hormones that are used in contraceptive pills. You also realize that 22 or more states have similar laws including one signed by then governor Mike Huckabee? This only became a devisive issue because the GOP chose to make it so. The fact that they had not one woman testify also made them look like sexist pigs. Had they actually called ANY women to testify then refusing to let Ms Fluke testify would not have been so noticeable.

Also, you say she could choose to go to another school. Well some of your choices are dependent on where you get scholarships, etc. Also you could make the argument the other way, if a religous organization does not want to play by the same rules as other educational institutions, they could choose not to be involved in that activity. Just because contraceptioves are covered does not mean everyone will use them, those that believe the religous doctrine are free to follow it. Faith imposed is not faith, true faith is chosen and followed willingly.

[mareejohnston]

03:38 AM on 03/12/2012

It's called selective ignorance.

[Colonel Meek]

09:30 AM on 03/12/2012

Wow, did you read the testimony? Probably not, because had you read the testimony you would have realized that she was treating insurance as a right. Insurance is not a right. It's something you purchase. If you're in a position where you're purchasing insurance that's not a good fit for you, then you've made a bad choice.
Go make another choice.
And yes, I realize other states have similar laws. It doesn't mean I agree with them.
Progressives celebrate diversity in everything but freedom of choice.

[mareejohnston]

03:32 AM on 03/12/2012

All she is asking is that the insurance that SHE ALLREADY PAYS FOR include contraception in the coverage. Period. Yes, she has every right to ask for this and no she should not have to choose a different school. That is ridiculous. For your information religious institutions nation wide have and are providing birth control. It depends on the state. It simply is absurd that this is even up for discussion. A side note: The facility has a plan that includes birth control. Double standard? I think so!

[Colonel Meek]

09:21 AM on 03/12/2012

Insurance is not a "right!"

[frederick10]

03:59 PM on 03/13/2012

Maree don't try and have a conversation with the Neocon, he has rose colored glasses