(CNN) – President Barack Obama called Sandra Fluke Friday to offer his support to the law student who has come under attack following her testimony to a House panel in support of access to contraceptives.
"The president was expressing his support for her and his disappointment in the kind of attacks that have been leveled at her and to her and his appreciation for her willingness to stand tall and express her opinion," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said at the White House press briefing.
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He said the president feels the personal attacks are "inappropriate."
"The fact that our political discourse has become debased in many ways is bad enough," Carney said. "It is worse when it is directed at a private citizen who was simply expressing her views on a matter of public policy."
Fluke was targeted by conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh on Wednesday, when he called her a "slut" and "prostitute" and again on Friday.
The conservative firebrand also responded to Obama's call with a kissing sound.
"Obama just called Sandra Fluke to make sure that she was alright, aw," Limbaugh said Friday. "That is so compassionate. What a great guy. The president called her to make sure she's OK."
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have weighed in on the issue. House Democrats rallied Thursday in response to Limbaugh's comments by sending a letter to House Speaker John Boehner urging him to condemn the statements, which to date has 80 signatures. Boehner on Friday called Limbaugh's remarks "inappropriate."
Several companies - including LegalZoom, Sleep Number, and Sleep Train Mattress - said in online postings that they were withdrawing advertisements from Limbaugh's program.
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At least someone in this country has some CLASS. Sandra Fluke should sue Limbaugh.
Thank you Rush for ensuring Obama's re-election.
"Inappropriate" just doesn't cut it! Let's call this what it is - outrageous, filthy, disgusting, appalling – and actionable! Were it me, I would sue the creep for every dime he has!
Who cares what this drug addict, college dropout, blowhard have to say. He isn't relevant, outside the land of OZ where most of his followers seem to be be from!
This lunatic doesn't deserve to be on public airwaves- he belongs with Howard Stern on Sirius.
For one, I would like to know exactly what companies are supporting this creep with their advertising? Anybody?
Women need to come together and call for Rush to be fired. Call the show sponsers and boycott there products.
Newsflash: Rush Limbaugh is a jerk. Just like Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck, Keith Olbermann, Bill Maher, and Michael Moore.
Anyone remember Olbermann's profanity-laced tirade against Scott Brown when he was elected? Or Bill Maher saying the 9/11 terrorists "weren't cowards"?
These people aim to shock. Its their job. They want to elicit this kind of response for attention.
Just ignore Limbaugh – and the rest of their ilk. They're not worth our time.
Limbaugh apparently doesn't understand how insurance works. But, using his logic, I am apparently paying for him to be a drug addict, supporting his debauched lifestyle by supplying him Viagra, and encouraging him to eat like a pig so that he has a heart attack.
Keep that sound in mind, Rush. The American people will be using it in November to kiss off the republican party.
Yea, your right, sorry, however Rush will definite lose a bunch of sponsors over this & he just gave 99.9 % of the woman vote To The Prez.
Anyone advertising on the Rush L. show should be boycotted. That is the only way to shut him up, but I think the damage he is doing is going to help the Dems win the white house and a lot of seats in the House and the Senate! Anyone who thinks this guy has any business in republican politic has lost their mind! All of the Republican Leaders should come out against him but they are scared little sheep who are worried about their job.
the last time this kind of rhetoric came out of Rush...some sicko shot representative Gifford in the head....what does it take to stop these kinds of attacks just because they have different views than you .. Rush ?
That's our classy President. Thank you, Mr. President.
standing with Fluke AND Obama!
My condolances go out to the four children of Andrew Breitbart, a premature death is a sad thing regardless of politics. On that note, Rush Limbaugh is a different story, this vile human being I would not shed one tear for when his time comes. This guy makes Newt Gingrich look like Mother Goose.
Last I check this is still America and there is Free Speech.
Unless Obama signed an order banning that .
Panderer-in-chief.
"The fact that our political discourse has become debased in many ways is bad enough," Carney said. "It is worse when it is directed at a private citizen who was simply expressing her views on a matter of public policy."
But it's okay for obama to name and call out the Koch brothers because they don't agree with obama politically?
Rush, the spiritual leader of the Republican party, has revealed, after two weeks of talking about nothing but contraception and abortion, exactly how much the party of rich, old, white men hates women. I hope women pay attention to the fact that no gut feeling is worth voting for the people who want to marginalize you and take away your rights.
I certainly hope she has a good lawyer! Rush is being more disgusting than usual.
And I would certainly like to know why I would have to pay for people like Limbaugh to overeat and pop painkillers.
How much are these "overindulgers" costing me????
President Obama is going to beat down the republicans where they are the weakest – honor, integrity, and class.
I certainly hope she has a good lawyer! Rush is being more disgusting than usual. No I did not post this before.
Obama is a good man. Our republican political establishment and its supports are a disgusting group of individuals. Absolutely disgusting. How can anyone support this party?
The word President is always capitalized in serious journalism ,but not on CNN. The Weeper of the House caved in again.