Air-America suspends radio host for Clinton comment
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/04/04/art.rhodes.gi.jpg caption="Rhodes has been suspended."](CNN) - The liberal radio network Air America suspended one if its most popular radio talk show hosts Thursday after a video clip surfaced on the Internet in which she used derogatory language to describe Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro.
The comments came during a San Francisco appearance in late march sponsored by a local Air America affiliate. During the event, Randi Rhodes referred to both Clinton and Ferraro as "f-ing whores."
Video of the comments surfaced earlier this week. Air America issued a statement Thursday saying it had suspended Rhodes for "abusive language."
"Air America encourages strong opinions about public affairs, but does not condone such abusive, ad hominem language by our hosts," the statement said.
Speaking with the liberal Web site Huffingtonpost.com, Rhodes said she is upset with the radio network.
"They are in breach of my contract and have damaged my hard won excellent reputation in the broadcast industry..." she said. Rhodes also said she had originally received praise from representatives of the network for her appearance at the event.
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That such a woman (Roach) " is one of the most popular hosts" says it all. Does America lost all its civility? Oh, then here is Ann Coulter.
No worse than what Obama has said in private to his best friends. I would love to take the gloves off. There is so much crap on Obama that Hillary has been incredibly restrained. Hillary is trying to win but not hurt Obama's career and Obama's people cant figure that out.
The GOP is not going to restrain at all. They want to not just win but destroy Obama and his career forever. Just the stuff I know about Obama is enough to end his career, cant imagine what the GOP attack machine has waiting for him. Obama will never see the presidency. If he is the nominee he is going to hit such a gauntlet of controversy that even his own people will leave him in droves.
She is just among tons of the same.
She must be related to Rush Limbaugh.
Rhodes is a clueless,self-defeating women that should be paid .10 cents to a man's dollar.
Just another case of a woman envious of Senator Clinton's power. Why can't we females band together to support one of our own? I guess Oprah set the precedent for that....
The media is magnifying and twisting everything the Clinton campaign does while glazing over Obama campaign scandals like the Wright situation. Chelsea is still fielding questions about the years-old Lewinsky scandal which wasn't even Hillary's fault, while people have forgotten the antisemtic, Farrakhan-honoring mentor who is so closely involved with Obama.
we need more female support, not this kind of pettiness that gives all women a bad name!
She deserved to be fired.
this is just as offensive, as to what obama's "mentor" and pastor reverend wright said about jews, whites, italians, and his comments about hillary. she should be fired like Imus was. I hope obama condemns this trash talk.
Tut Tut Randi . . . try and keep it civil now.
She's right!!
I no longer listen to Air American or Progressive radio. The constant Clinton bashing is really over the top. I do not have a problem with the hosts supporting Obama, but the personal attacks against Hillary and Bill and misrepresentation of issues are sad. There is no way the Democratic party will unite when primaries are over. Rhandi Rhodes and Ed Shultz are the worst. They both appear to have something personal against the Clintons. Stephanie Miller is insulting and not funny at all, but not as bad as the other two. I do not want Rhandi to be fired, but hopefully she will tone down some of the hate speech. Even with this change, Air American has lost me as a listener.
Are we certain that wasn't Ann Coulter speaking?
Rhodes has a loud , trashy mouth. No one wants to hear all her bad language. Is using bad language and slurs what entertains us these days?
Why punish her now when she made the comment during Clinton, Ferraro and Rev Wright controversy. People let's get real we are going to have plenty people to say what's on their mind, but we must rise above that.
I can't stand Hillary, however this is out of line.
Hang in there Hillary eventhough i am for Obama.
I do not care how much you hate Clinton she does not deserve to be called that. She is someone's daughter, wife, mother, and sister.
This may be Obama's time to become a president however that does not mean that we should be insensitive to his opponent. Remember the only perfect man is God not Obama.
IF MY BOSS FIRED ME FOR SOMETHING I SAID OUTSIDE OF WORK HE/SHE WOULD HAVE THE BIGGEST LAWSUIT ON HIS HAND.
JUST SAY NO TO THOUGHT POLICE.
Plus, in its context, what she said was not really that "controversial".
She was wrong in saying what she said,this langauge is not right for public radio.this lady should loss her job an go back to the circus!!!
I used to be regular listner of Randy Rhodes show. But, lately her show as well as Ed's show are full of Clinton bashing. These are the same people who were big Clinton fans. But, as Obama is gaining grounds the same democrat loyalists are throwing garbage at Clintons. I can't believe these Clinton loyalists who had all but praise on Clinton presidency are treating them so badly. I would rather listen Limbaugh and watch Fox than Air America or MSNBC.
I'm an Obama supporter, and not particularly happy about the Clinton/Ferarro situation (among many other situations in this campaign), but that kind of attack on anyone, Republican, Democrat, man, woman, or whomever is very ugly. It's this kind of rhetoric (from both sides) that has caused this country's political dialogue to fall from worthwhile discussion into unproductive, hateful attacking. This is no different than Rush Limbaugh calling Chelsea Clinton a dog years ago, which was repulsive and cruel. Both of these remarks, and those spewed by other people – be they radio hosts, TV hosts, "regular" Americans, or whomever – are inexcusable, and a sign of the ugly political climate in this country. Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of it, and if we are to move forward, and repair our torn country, we need to stop putting up with it, stop taking part in it, and stop welcoming it. It ultimately rests in the hands of "we, the people," which is exactly where responsibility should lie.
I am a life long democrat but sadly I note that our party is in the grip of lunatics on the far left. These people are attacking the right wing of the democratic party and this is yet another example of it. This is why I have changed parties and now consider myself an independent. I may just sit this election out this year unless a third party candidate emerges with more sanity.
This foul-mouthed idiot is THE reason I stopped listening to Air America three years ago.
I find it laughable that she's claiming this suspension has damaged her "hard won excellent reputation in the broadcast industry". Who does she think she is?
This no-talent blow hard should have been fined and FIRED for this profane attack on two accomplished women! Rhodes is just sleazy.
I find it particularly offensive when a woman uses this specific derogatory language against other females. Has she NO respect for her own gender?
Rhodes is disgusting, she should be fired. If she had said things against Obama she would be fired, what a double-standard, its ok to verbally abuse women, but not men.
Rhodes is gross.
Just goes to show you that Obama supporters are taking his nomination run just a little bit overboard.
Hmm...