Clark Urges ABC to Fire Rush Limbaugh (Clark Bar Alert)

AP | 10-1-2003 | Ron Fournier

[My Favorite Headache]

Clark Urges ABC to Fire Rush Limbaugh

By RON FOURNIER The Associated Press Wednesday, October 1, 2003; 4:04 PM

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark on Wednesday urged ABC to fire conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh for saying the media wanted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb to succeed because he is black.

Clark, a retired Army general who entered the race Sept. 17, called the remarks "hateful and ignorant speech."

Before McNabb led the Eagles to a 23-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Limbaugh said on ESPN's pre-game show that he didn't think McNabb was as good as perceived.

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well," Limbaugh said. "There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

ABC is the parent company of ESPN.

McNabb said Wednesday he wasn't looking for an apology, because it's too late for that. But the star quarterback said he was shocked to hear such comments on television.

In a letter to ABC president Alex Wallau, Clark said, "There can be no excuse for such statements. Mr. Limbaugh has the right to say whatever he wants, but ABC and ESPN have no obligation to sponsor such hateful and ignorant speech. Mr. Limbaugh should be fired immediately."

Limbaugh said in his syndicated radio show that critics were overreacting to him exercising his free-speech rights in calling McNabb overrated. "There's no racism here, there's no racist intent whatsoever," he said.

Before Clark issued his letter, an ESPN spokesman said he didn't think the comments were racially biased.

"He was comparing McNabb's performance on the field to his reputation in the media," spokesman Dave Nagle said. He said Limbaugh doesn't do interviews.

Clark, a supporter of affirmative action, has sought to burnish his credentials as a Democrat since entering the race amid criticism over his past support of GOP administrations.

[mhking]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/993181/posts

[Arpege92]

Lighten up Clark....oh wait, bad choice of words....am I a racist now?

[ladyinred]

The rats are on a roll aren't they?
Seek and destroy mission 2004.
Hope it backfires on them all.

[My Favorite Headache]

The search engine is crap today...

[My Favorite Headache]

LMFAO

[My Favorite Headache]

The obligatory Wesley Clark "It's Always About Me" Image

[Callahan]

Clark at first refused to reveal which NFL team he rooted for, before revealing himself to be a Buffalo Bills fan--to much fanfare. Later it was reported that pictures had surfaced of the General wearing a Dallas Cowboys hat.

[eleni121]

The rats on a roll-----Oh and how. They are trolling for anything that can keep the heat on conservatives. They will go to any length to maintain the media pressure on the conservative republicans and guess what? This is only going to get worse. The question is: are we ready willing and able to defend and outmaneuver the rats.

Rush has been on a hit list for years. This is what they have been waiting for - anything that they can grab onto to use and abuse as ammunition. They will exagerrate, fabricate and outright lie to foment loathing and fear. They are despicable.

[Waco]

Wonder what's Rushs "get out of Dodge" pays, from his contract? Then he can sue ABC for violating his 1st Amdt. rights. It sure as hell would/will work for a minority announcer, doncha know?

[Cicero]

Pandering to the black vote, he hopes. But I don't see much about him that would be likely to make that work.

[GeronL]

OK, lets all write to the Middle East Institute and tell them to fire Clark.

[Reactionary]

"Seek and destroy mission 2004."

That's what this is. Hillary! has made her list and is checking it twice.

And the liberal socialist media? They'll repeat the party line for as long as it takes.

[willy WOXOF]

Clark.. pres.. wan-na-be is ANTI FREE SPEECH!

[Paul Atreides]

If Spike Lee got on ESPN, saying the same thing about a white basketball player, this would all be a non-issue.

[Paul Atreides]

Well, conservatives, of any color or sex, have no rights. /sarcasm

[giznort]

...being a true Clintonista, he has to check which way the wind is blowing before he takes a stance.....

[giznort]

They hire a person who is well-known for having opinions on issues who freely gives his opinion, then claim shock and awe when he gives it. Apparently in this politically correct society we've created, it's taboo to mention race in an equation even though it's a factor. If he would have substituted the word "chinese" instead of "black" would there have been the same outcry? Or how about "female" or "gay" or "transgendered" or "(pick your own favorite minority group here)"?

[Paul Atreides]

Plus, he had to ask Hillary before he could say anything. Hillary has had her clutches on more pairs than has an urologist.