As anger continues to swirl around syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh after referring to a law student as a 'slut,' even the president can't keep from weighing in.
The backlash against Limbaugh has intensified in recent days, as an eighth advertiser has dropped its support of his radio program and two stations have pulled the plug on it.
Limbaugh called Georgetown student Sandra Fluke a 'slut' and a 'prostitute' last week after she urged lawmakers to consider the importance of contraception coverage in health care policy.
During President Obama's press conference today at the White House, he had little to say about the controversy at first.
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Controvery: During his first press conference of 2012, President Obama weighed in on the uproar surrounding radio host Rush Limbaugh, right, after he called Sandra Fluke a 'slut' on the air
'I'm not going to comment on what sponsors decide to do. I'm not going to comment on either the economics or the politics of it. I don't know what's in Rush Limbaugh's heart, so I'm not going to comment on the sincerity of his apology.'
But he said that he was compelled to offer his support to Fluke after considering his own children, daughters Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10.
Obama said: 'The reason I called Ms Fluke is because I thought about Malia and Sasha, and one of the things I want them to do as they get older is to engage in issues they care about, even ones I may not agree with them on'.
Reaction: Georgetown University law student and activist Sandra Fluke speaks during an appearance on the daytime talk show, 'The View' about the comments he made on his programme
He added: 'I want them to be able to speak their mind in a civil and thoughtful way. And I don't want them attacked or called horrible names because they're being good citizens'.
And I wanted Sandra to know that I thought her parents should be proud of her, and that we want to send a message to all our young people that being part of a democracy involves argument and disagreements and debate, and we want you to be engaged, and there's a way to do it that doesn't involve you being demeaned and insulted, particularly when you’re a private citizen'.
Meanwhile, firms are pulling sponsorship deals from Limbaugh's radio show, fans are refusing to tune in and a couple of stations have dropped its broadcast.
Carbonite, Proflowers, Tax Resolution Services, Legal Zoom, Citrix Success, All State, Heart and Body Extract, AutoZone, Quicken Loans, Sleep Train, Sleep Number, Oreck and AOL have all stopped advertising with the show.
KPUA in Hilo, Hawaii, and WBEC in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, are no longer airing it.
Listeners of smaller, local radio stations that broadcast the syndicated show are being called on to pressure advertisers to cut all ties.
Twitter users are also spreading the message using the hashtags #BoycottRush, #StopRush and #BoycottHate.
Several Facebook pages also have thousands of fans supporting the action. Limbaugh made a rare public apology on Saturday in the wake of the uproar caused by his comments.
But Fluke, who became Limbaugh's target after she testified about birth control before a Congressional panel, questioned the sincerity of the apology, adding that she did not want to hear from Limbaugh personally.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2110819/Rush-Limbaugh-Obama-brings-daughters-Sandra-Fluke-slutgate-furor.html#ixzz1oOlt5KN8
