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
From CNN Politics
- Jason Sudeikis and 'Ted Lasso' cast meet with Biden for mental health discussion
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Trump's team puts forward ally in hopes of undercutting Cohen testimony in NY hush money case
- Untitled
- Untitled
- Capitol Police see no current threat to US Capitol, but DC prepares after Trump calls for potential indictment protests
Romney will say, or not say, anything for a vote. Of course he didn't respond. He has no convictions or principals. He is a plastic weathervane who blows with the wind. Presidential material? You must be joking.
We have reached a new low!
No surprise from an obese, cigar smoking, bigot, racist, multiply divorced misogynist. Rush's capacity to hate and attack is biblical! So obvious that underneath all those layers is rotten self esteem. Ultimately a sad, fat and lonely man.
More Republican disrespect of women. No definitive statements. No truth. No principles. No leadership. An insane talk show host runs the Republican Party along with 2 oil baron brothers. Not one Republican candidate has any platform, any beliefs you can trust, and not a single plan for the real issues in America. Romney isn't going to take any postion of integrity as are none of the other Republican candidates. Women are going to come out and vote at levels higher than they usually do and Republicans are going to lose in landslides all over the country. Enough of these traitorous Republicans and their intentional destruction of the People.
Not the language he would have used?? Way to stand up for women, Mitt.
CHARACTER = When a man, like Mitt Romney, donates his inheritance to charity.
CORRUPTION = When a man, like obama, uses the power of the state, to confiscate other people's hard earned money, squander it, and finance loser companies, in exchange for political contributions, in an effort to get himself reelected.
Not trying to defend the comments, but did you notice how upset the readers of CNN Political Ticker are about Rush? Compare that to their general agreement with and condoning of David Letterman doing the same thing to Sarah Palin's 14 year old daughter. Another very clear example of democrat liberal hypocrisy and media bias I believe.
Such courage, mittens! You fail yet again. Lol, sure, we want a prez afraid to stand up to a self important drug addict.
Romney knows well enough that he better keep his mouth shut until his puppetteers... er... advisors tell what to think and say...
Sad that a contender to the Presidency does not have the courage to take an unambiguously high ground in confronting ignorance and abusive bombasity. Very sad indeed.
Is that the best you can come up with Mitt? No spine to stand up for your convictions...and now no spine to stand up to the Limbaugh kingmaker. Way to show leadership man.
romney the flopper sucking up to the limturd. You retardicans are a disgusting lot.
Incredible that Santorum handled the issue better than Romney, even though Santorum is likely more aligned with Limpballs than is Romney.
Romney is really doing everything possible to lose this election.
Initially silent until he could find a way to sidestep the question without insulting Rushbo.
What a wuss.
So Romney wants to lead the country, but can't even muster the language to condemn the slimy trash coming from Limbaugh's big mouth. "not the words I would have used?" ........REALLY?????????
Romney needs to be told where he stands on the issue before he can comment.
Typical liberal media and the new cnn. Lock in step with Obamas media matters agenda every day. Class warfare.
Why should Romney defend or respond to an idiot. He is responsible for limbaugh. Btw , rush is laughing all the way to the bank with this story.
Romney's a coward. He waits until other prominent republicans come out against Limpbow before he commits hinself to a comment. What a weasel.
What a brave statement, Mitt! Are you waiting for the polls on the issue to come back before you condemn Rush?
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
Romney knows nothing of the working class people. He talks about the economy and jobs as the real issues. Maybe if Mitt had daughters and not sons he would act more responsibly in regards to such insults by Rush L toward woman.
The purpose of the government is not to impose the will of the 99, it is to protect the freedoms of the 100. Obama has used big government to impose his religious beliefs on everyone. While only some American's religions have been fundamentally violated, all Americans have been deprived of basic freedom. Barack Obama is not okay. I want my freedom back.
I am underwhelmed.
Didn’t Romney just say something like he would never embarrass us if we vote him into the WH? And he does not know when to defend a woman that testifies in connection with another ridiculous onslaught against woman through “his” party of “NO”? He and MOST other GOP/TPers are embarrassing us and themselves every single day when they open their mouth or do not open it when it counts. The GOP and their followers have lost it already a long time ago and stand now with: No plan, no class, no sincerity, no dignity, no compassion. Except for money and power to enrich themselves and their friends (No, not you! Are you a corporation? See…). They truly make the stomach turn!
“I'll just say this which is it’s not the language I would have used."
Huh? Wow, just how hard does he lick Limbaugh boots? What a wimp.
Ah, Profiles in Courage. Poor Mitt, afraid to offend anyone no matter how crazy they are on the right.