March 2nd, 2012
06:07 PM ET
11 years ago

Initially silent, Romney addresses Limbaugh ‘slut’ remarks

Cleveland, Ohio (CNN) - Mitt Romney steered clear of the Rush Limbaugh controversy until Friday evening, even avoiding a CNN reporter earlier in the day, when he addressed the issue after an event in Cleveland.

“I'll just say this which is it’s not the language I would have used," Romney said. "I’m focusing on the issues I think are significant in the country today and that’s why I’m here talking about jobs and Ohio.”

- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

After an event in Bellevue, Washington, CNN asked Romney for a comment on Limbaugh who called Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke a "slut" after she testified before Congress on the importance of insurance coverage of contraception.

The former Massachusetts governor was within a few feet of CNN's camera when he was asked the question. But Romney walked by without comment.

Limbaugh ignited a political firestorm Wednesday when he suggested Fluke's support of contraception coverage was an attempt to force Americans to pay for her sexual activities.

"It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex," Limbaugh said.

Romney's main rival for the GOP nomination, Rick Santorum called Limbaugh's comments "absurd" in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

– CNN Political Producer Rachel Streitfeld contributed to this report.

Also see:

Seattle Times supports Romney as 'default choice' ahead of caucuses

Paul flier hits the other candidates

Gingrich robo call labels Santorum 'union bosses' pal'

Michigan results provoke accusations, ire


Filed under: 2012 • Mitt Romney • Rush Limbaugh
soundoff (248 Responses)
  1. Woman In California

    The former Massachusetts governor was within a few feet of CNN's camera when he was asked the question. But Romney walked by without comment.

    We all know by know you can't ask Clyde anything ask Bonnie. She has all the answers. At least she THINKS she does.

    March 2, 2012 06:10 pm at 6:10 pm |
  2. Jane

    I guess he hadn't gotten his instructions regarding this from his handlers yet. God forbid he should voice an opinion that hasn't been cleared yet – – even coming to the defense of a maligned young woman. Makes you shudder to think how he has raised his five sons to treat women.....

    March 2, 2012 06:10 pm at 6:10 pm |
  3. Mikey

    10 points for Santorum. Romney is proving to be a gutless wonder on this one. Afraid to rile the great and powerful Slimebaull.

    March 2, 2012 06:13 pm at 6:13 pm |
  4. alkarrk

    It's not worth responding to. Limbaugh should be ignored.

    March 2, 2012 06:18 pm at 6:18 pm |
  5. Jim

    Two faced Romney doesn't want to upset the Limbaugh hate crusade. Of course he'll remain silent, he only looks out for #1, himself. No one else matters to him.

    March 2, 2012 06:19 pm at 6:19 pm |
  6. Jeff In Oregon

    How is Mr. Romney going to stand up for all Americans if he cannot stand up and clearly denounce such hate speech. He does not deserve my vote. Weakling.

    March 2, 2012 06:20 pm at 6:20 pm |
  7. JDinTexas

    Romney just hasn't decided which side to be on first; but, not to worry, he will take both sides at some point.

    March 2, 2012 06:21 pm at 6:21 pm |
  8. maf

    Being silent about this is to condone it!! Stand up against misogyny!! Come on Mitt, join us in this society that holds women as equals!!

    March 2, 2012 06:21 pm at 6:21 pm |
  9. mario

    romney is soooscared of rushy

    March 2, 2012 06:22 pm at 6:22 pm |
  10. Bruce

    Could it be because Clear Channel, which runs Limbaugh's show (as well as Hannity, Beck, et al) is owned by Bain Capital?

    March 2, 2012 06:22 pm at 6:22 pm |
  11. JustCurious2

    Just wait for two "romneys" and Romney will support and reprimand Limbaugh on the same day. One "romney" is a 3.5 hours time unit where Romney changes his position on issues (according to Steven Colbert).

    March 2, 2012 06:22 pm at 6:22 pm |
  12. dan5404

    Of course. When you have no principle, you never speak about injustice by your own comrades.

    March 2, 2012 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |
  13. the Situation

    If you were a true leader instead of "Johnny Come Lately" that doesn't have a backbone, you would speak out against Druggie Rush! This is why Old Mitts could never be President. If you can lead your own party, how can you think you can lead the Nation.

    March 2, 2012 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |
  14. DENNA

    Mitt is, apparently, not completely stupid. He probably agrees with Limpburger, but is too smart to say so. Or, he does not agree with him and is too scared to say so. Doesn't matter. President Obama is going to mop the floor with him anmyway. 🙂

    March 2, 2012 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |
  15. Wire Palladin, S. F.

    Did anyone think that Mittens had the backbone to stand up to Rush? Yet the republican fools think that he would be able to stand up for our interests in the world. Bring out Ann, because she obviously wears the pants in their family.

    March 2, 2012 06:25 pm at 6:25 pm |
  16. Gordon Hilgers

    Romney is a spineless, gutless, disaffected, detached little aristocrat who thinks he's doing the American people a favor by running for the presidency. What the commercial press labels "gaffes" are merely signals that he has absolutely no experience dealing with or dealing for the common American, much less a minority American. Let's join together and shove him back into the Richie-Rich muck from whence he came.

    March 2, 2012 06:25 pm at 6:25 pm |
  17. Bill

    This is the sort of things the left want the GOP to get themselves into. That's why the Obama administration was so quickly to join the controversy. Now Santorum has gotten himself into this mess as well by commenting on the subject. The left want the public to talk about this sort of things and not focus on the real problem, the economy. This is a losing subject for the Republican...stay out of it. Let Limbaugh get out of his own mess. This is exactly why Mitt Romney is the best prepared to take on Obama. A smart politician has his eye on the ball and not get drawn into this side show. Romney is smart to stay out of this mess. If Santorum gets the nomination, this sort of stuff and likes of the contraception controversy will headline the news and Obama will get a free ride on the poor economy.

    March 2, 2012 06:26 pm at 6:26 pm |
  18. cali girl

    That's another slam to women. Do not count on their vote.

    March 2, 2012 06:26 pm at 6:26 pm |
  19. Mike S.

    That's the greatest feature about the MittMan Model 2012 2.0. It just ignores controversy.

    March 2, 2012 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |
  20. LBAM

    Rmoney will not comment. After all, he would put his fot in his mouth once again..

    March 2, 2012 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |
  21. They ought to change from the elephant to the hippo...

    Not quite sure which way the wind is blowing yet, Mitt? Or are your handlers just that slow... They haven't told you what to think, yet...

    March 2, 2012 06:30 pm at 6:30 pm |
  22. Silence DoGood

    You can tell who the pros are. This was Obama's great tactic too. To NOT comment on things he enjoyed hearing but was smart enough to shut up and let the sparks fly.

    Based on this I can say we will see Obama vs. Romney (just a guess). Two status-quo insider professionals. I'm voting third party. Someone liberal, not DNC/RNC circus. Watch out – every year more like me are voting.

    March 2, 2012 06:30 pm at 6:30 pm |
  23. Mikel

    Romney's just waiting for someone to tell him what his opinion should be before he dares say anything about it. Robots don't really have any original thoughts.

    March 2, 2012 06:30 pm at 6:30 pm |
  24. doverunner

    The comments made by Limbaugh is a clear sign where the USA is headed. This kind of person, and his comments show the clear sign that we are in a down slide as a human race. This person, has no right to take his show and air these kind of comments and not be acountable for them. He should be banned and have his radio show completly taken off the air. We dont need this kind of person in our great country, he needs to be fired.......

    March 2, 2012 06:30 pm at 6:30 pm |
  25. Voltaire

    A derivative branch of bain pays rush s salary. google it. mitt knows when not comment

    March 2, 2012 06:32 pm at 6:32 pm |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10