Rush Limbaugh Explains Apology As Advertiser Boycott Rises To 9

All Access ^ | 3/5/12 | All Access

[raccoonradio]

The tally of advertisers who have pulled their spots from PREMIERE NETWORKS host RUSH LIMBAUGH's show over his comments about law student/activist SANDRA FLUKE last week (NET NEWS 3/2) now stands at nine, although it is presently unclear whether LIMBAUGH's weekend apology (NET NEWS 3/3) will result in any returning advertisers or whether the advertising suspensions are permanent or temporary.

The list of advertisers pulling spots from LIMBAUGH's show includes CALIFORNIA regional mattress chain SLEEP TRAIN and national advertisers QUICKEN LOANS, CITRIX (GOTOMYPC), SLEEP NUMBER, PROFLOWERS.COM, CARBONITE (which initially said it would hold off pulling its ads until its CEO spoke to LIMBAUGH), AOL, and LEGAL ZOOM. QUICKEN LOANS' sister CLEVELAND CAVALIERS have pulled spots from LIMBAUGH's show on CLEAR CHANNEL Talk WTAM-A/CLEVELAND, which happens to be the team's flagship station, according to WTAM, citing TALKING POINTS MEMO. Most recently, MICHAEL ROZBRUCH of TAX RESOLUTION SERVICES tweeted: "We have decided to join other advertisers and suspend our sponsorship of The RUSH LIMBAUGH Show."

Limbaugh Opens Show With Apology And Barbs At Obama, Left

At the outset of his show TODAY, LIMBAUGH joked about canceling his own company's "TWO IF BY TEA" commercials but being unable to get past a busy signal. "Give me 30 minutes here," he said, "and then you can do what you want."

Taking a shot at the left for what he described as saying and doing anything to make its point, LIMBAUGH said, "In fighting this issue last week, I became like them ... I descended to their level ... I became like them, and I feel very badly about that." He added, "I do not think that she is either of those two words ... the apology over the weekend was sincere ... I became like the people we oppose."

He then went on to criticize President OBAMA's "socialist agenda" and "extra-constitutionally" making moral judgments over what private insurance plans cover, and recounted his version of the timeline of the issue and Rep. DARRELL ISSA (R-CA)'s rejection of FLUKE's bid to testify before Congress. "All of this," LIMBAUGH said, "is political," adding that the examples of women denied coverage of contraception by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY's health plan that FLUKE sought to testify about were anecdotal and "unprovable" hearsay, and that FLUKE, knowing that GEORGETOWN is a Jesuit Catholic school, went there to change the policy. He repeated his apology's assertion that the segments from last week were intended as satire and prompted by reports of FLUKE claiming that she could not afford birth control. "I acted too much like the leftists that despise me," he said. "It's wrong, and that's why I apologized. Don't be mad at them or mad at her, everybody was being true to their nature except me."

On the departed advertisers, he said he is "sorry to see them go," but noted that they had done well through their access to the LIMBAUGH audience. "It's a business decision and it's theirs to make. They've decided that they don't want you, and so be it." He said that he "knew the political inclinations" of the advertisers and that they didn't care, nor did he, as long as they were making money. He said that he rejects "millions" of dollars a year from potential advertisers, including, he claimed, GENERAL MOTORS. He said the show will "replace those who leave... who no longer want your business" and advised listeners to "make your own decision" on doing business with those advertisers. And he repeated the apology as well as his assertion that the left does not apologize for its own comments (including BILL MAHER's calling SARAH PALIN names) and that the right should not descend to the left's level.

Fluke Isn't Impressed With Apology

FLUKE, appearing on ABC-TV's "THE VIEW," said that the apology didn't change anything for her. "I don't think that a statement like this issued, saying that his choice of words was not the best, changes anything," she said, "and especially when that statement is issued when he's under significant pressure from his sponsors who have begun to pull their support."

One Activist Wants Clear Channel To Do More

Meanwhile, the same activist who issued a press release rejecting CLEAR CHANNEL's offers after Talk KFI-A/LOS ANGELES hosts JOHN AND KEN as not enough did the same regarding LIMBAUGH, issuing another pair of press releases reiterating her intention to complain to the FCC. JASMYNE CANNICK's JOHN AND KEN release contradicted the comments of other activists who had met with KFI officials, including PROJECT ISLAMIC HOPE leader NAJEE ALI, who told the LOS ANGELES TIMES, "Mission accomplished. We got everything we asked for."

[Osage Orange]

My gosh....I dropped AOL back when they decided to audit my e-mail...and banned "The Federalist" from being sent to me...and any other AOL user.

Had to be '98 or so....

Can't hardly believe it took you so long....................

[wilco200]

Please.

If RUSH’s motives were so pure, he would have apologized after the first commercial break of making those comments.

The only reason he apologized is because he began bleeding sponsors. It was purely damage control.

It’s insulting to his audience to claim otherwise.

His initial point was correct - what do you call someone who wants to get paid to have sex?

I’m not sure what’s wring with making that point - other than the leftist hypocrisy.

Sticking to your convictions and standing up for the first amendment is what we are desperately missing from our elected officials...and now apparently from our conservative media.

Maybe Savage is right.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I have been paying for Aol since at least 95 despite my family telling me to drop it. So today I finally cancelled. It felt very good. I was then instructed to take a survey and I told them I need my 15 bucks per month to pay for birth control.

LOL

[alisasny]

I am not going to boycott something I dont even use , like what the left does. I actually took my dollars away from something I did use since 1995/96. I find that most effective and believe me, my comment about birth control is akin to saying because you boycotted Rush.

[alisasny]

I know but I was a creature of habit despite warnings.
Today I finally did it and for that I am proud.

[kcvl]

http://www.taxresolution.com/index.asp

1-866-477-7762

“You don’t want to fight this fight alone. You need experts. You need Tax Resolution Services, Co. If you owe $20,000 or more in back taxes, are under audit, or have unfiled returns, they can help.” - Rush Limbaugh

1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS
Tax Resolution Services, Co.
Encino Business Park IV
6345 Balboa Blvd, Suite 285
Encino, Ca. 91316

Phone: (818) 774-1813
Fax: (818) 774-9361

https://twitter.com/#!/taxresolution

Michael Rozbruch @taxresolution
Reply RetweetedRetweet

@hotchskye We have decided to join other advertisers and suspend our sponsorship of The Rush Limbaugh Show.

In reply to hotchpot skye
4h Michael Rozbruch @taxresolution
Reply RetweetedRetweet

Thank you for your comments and concerns. We have decided to join other advertisers and suspend our sponsorship of The Rush Limbaugh Show .

4h Michael Rozbruch @taxresolution

@muhamedsacirbey We have decided to join other advertisers and suspend our sponsorship of The Rush Limbaugh Show.

In reply to Amb.Muhamed Sacirbey
4h Michael Rozbruch @taxresolution

@sustainablcalif We have decided to join other advertisers and suspend our sponsorship of The Rush Limbaugh Show.

[Osage Orange]

So be it.

It's hard to change sometimes. It's a hassle, can cost money, and time.

FRegards,

[NEMDF]

Check your landline bill (if you have one) for inside wires maintenance. $7/month for nothing.

[kcvl]

Mary Hicks @durlin

Reply RetweetedRetweet

@taxresolution NO MORE RUSH LUMBAUGH! Enough is enough!

R.J. Taylor-Hahn @farleftofright
Reply RetweetedRetweet

Major advertiser > @taxresolution < call them, flood them. ( 888-695-0153 ) ( FB http://ow.ly/9qR0r ) Michael Rozbruch #StopRush #p2

Recovering Lobbyist @ExLobbyist
Reply RetweetedRetweet

@taxresolution do you think women who use contraceptives are sluts? If not then stop sponsoring the #Limbaugh hate machine! #waronwomen #gop

Danceswithdevils @LeslieAPickett
Reply RetweetedRetweet

@taxresolution: http://bit.ly/A9YXdG Dittohead calling for genital mutilation of Sandra Fluke. Is that where you want to be? #boycottrush

https://twitter.com/#!/taxresolution

[Dante3]

I will drop them also.

Ann Coulter has been called worse, yet no reaction. Maybe we should start going after Leno and Letterman's sponsors - those programs filled with anti-GOP hatred.

[Peter from Rutland]

Who the heck would ever buy Citrix products anyway? Every single product they make has an equal that comes standard with Windows. GoToMyPC? Try remote connect/login on windows. GoToMeeting? Try Windows Live Meeting.

All free. Why anyone would pay for their useless drivel is beyond me.

[Unam Sanctam]

Why would they pull their ads after the apology?

[sirchtruth]

The only reason he apologized is because he began bleeding sponsors. It was purely damage control.

Sounds like you didn't read his monolog in the first segment of his show. There was no "damage" control. You, just like the MSM have it totally wrong as to why he apologized. Go read his monolog if you haven't or are you calling him a LIAR? Rush doesn't need any of those sponsors as he has others just chomping at the bit to advertise with him.

His initial point was correct - what do you call someone who wants to get paid to have sex?

It doesn't matter WHAT Ms. Fluke seems to be, Rush used a very derogatory term, he knows it. He did the exact right thing to uphold his standards by apologizing to Ms. Fluke. You're right about one thing, it has EVERYTHING to do with FOS. You have the right to say anything you want, but Rush and all of us have a "responsibility" for what we say to one another and even to the other side. The only insulting claim Rush made was toward Ms. Fluke.

I am so glad he's not like these leftist dregs and irresponsible debased pigs like Maher.

Maybe Savage is wrong!

[SkyDancer]

Now that’s a good one. I think her name will become part of our lexicon like “Lewinsky” ...”Hey Carbonite, go Fluke yourself” - works for me.

[joesbucks]

Maybe we should start going after Leno and Letterman's sponsors - those programs filled with anti-GOP hatred.

Now, now, Rush said: "Only the leftists try to use extortion, pressure, threats to silence opposing voices. We don't do that. Never, ever, do any of us on our side of the aisle try to suppress the speech or the voices of those with whom we disagree, and we never will. So, as you've always done, you make your own business decisions about the products and services you buy. But don't be like the opposition".

[Thank You Rush]

I thought your comment to them was brilliant....good thinking!

[Tzimisce]

I meant: there are more of us than there are Kos Kids, you jerks. (and those companies are about to find out just how many more there are of us...)

[Thank You Rush]

“”Meanwhile, the same activist who issued a press release rejecting CLEAR CHANNEL’s offers after Talk KFI-A/LOS ANGELES hosts JOHN AND KEN as not enough did the same regarding LIMBAUGH, issuing another pair of press releases reiterating her intention to complain to the FCC. JASMYNE CANNICK’s JOHN AND KEN release contradicted the comments of other activists who had met with KFI officials, including PROJECT ISLAMIC HOPE leader NAJEE ALI, who told the LOS ANGELES TIMES, “Mission accomplished. We got everything we asked for.””

Can someone please dissect this for me? Who is the “same activist”, what were Clear Channel’s offers, John and Ken “as not enough” - not enough what??? Who met with KFI officials?

I’m lost and perhaps I’ll just stay there.....

[RinaseaofDs]

“Maybe we should start going after Leno and Letterman’s sponsors - those programs filled with anti-GOP hatred.”

I don’t know about you, but I’d like to think that most conservatives have already made decisions like this about where their dollars go. I think this is true on both sides of the aisle, actually.

Before now, I would never have known how spineless, or outright partisan, these companies are. I think, from a fiduciary standpoint, you have to decide, “Well, even conservatives buy X” and continue to earn marketshare wherever a company can.

I don’t think we are necessarily a moral people anymore, one that could make a constitution like ours work. However, its going to take a massive event that brings home the idea that the food, the fuel, the energy, the water, and even the army all comes from somewhere outside the city, before anyone is going to take a new look at the civil cold war that is currently being waged.

This is just another reminder that politics is for the crooked, and anyone honest and forthright who values their families should stay the hell away.

I have a ton of respect for Palin. A ton. Same with Gingrich. In my opinion, he’s the only guy articulate enough to win. He’s certainly the ONLY guy that fully realizes that he’s not running against Obama. He’s running against the people who made it possible - the media.

Last guy that understood that was Reagan. I wouldn’t recommend hiring any more Bushes for the POTUS job until one of them finally comprehends and internalizes that lesson. Liberals don’t have the law, the facts, or the moral high ground, so they pound the candidate.

Breitbart was the first guy to fully realize that nobody buys ink by the barrel anymore. Ink’s free. He showed us we could win this war if we chose to fight it.

[fortheDeclaration]

Exactly!