Media Matters released two of the radio ads it plans to use against Rush – and they’ll be airing locally against stations that play his program. Media Matters launched its $100,000 campaign 3/22. The ads use audio from Limbaugh’s attack on Fluke, and criticize affiliates for airing his show. MM called the ads “community service announcements.” The ads ask listeners to call the local stations (they give out the number) and complain about airing the show.
The ads use Limbaugh’s own words about Sandra Fluke, who testified at a congressional hearing that contraception should be paid for in health plans: that she wanted to be paid to have sex, which made her a slut and a prostitute. In return for the money, he said Fluke should post videos of herself having sex.
In one of the ads, listeners are urged to call the local station that carries Limbaugh to say “we don’t talk to women like that” in our city. Ad time was purchased in Boston; Chicago; Detroit; Seattle; Milwaukee; St. Louis; Macon, GA; and Cedar Rapids, IA.
The cities were selected to support active local campaigns against Limbaugh or because of perceptions Limbaugh may be vulnerable in that market, said Angelo Carusone of Media Matters.
Listen to the two ads below, which mention WLS specifically:
RBR-TVBR observation: The ads remind us of a political smear campaign at the height of a hotly-contested election. They bring out the worst of the worst of what Limbaugh said about Fluke and include MM commentary interspersed with a woman’s voice.
A political smear campaign? By using Rush’s own words? How do you smear someone by repeating what they actually said? What you have done is to start a smear campaign against Media Matters by implying that repeating what Rush said on the air is somehow wrong.
Amen. RBR is smearing Media Matters. Sorry Rush. You have been lowering the level of discouse in America for too many years. It’s time someone had the guts to fight back.
Is it time to boycott RBR? If they keep engaging in smear campaigns, then I’d say yes.
Re: “The ads remind us of a political smear campaign at the height of a hotly-contested election.”
Funny, I don’t remember reading anything about Rush Limbbuagh’s continued support of the Swiftboat Smear campaign. Read: “Kerry Spokesman Sets Limbaugh Straight on Swiftboat Smears.” – http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924601/posts
This action by Media Matters is the same style of combat that Rush has been handing out for years. It’s time someone sends it back his way.
Rush was being a bully again and when called on it by people that mean something to him( advertisers) he said that we didn’t understand his form of humor. Broadcasters can choose to air him, it is there choice, but there is guilt by association.
Ah yes, free speech in America, as long as you’re a bleeding heart leftist. Funny how liberal commentators can say whatever they wish and even fabricate bold faced lies. That’s called free speech. But if a conservative commentator says something a little inappropriate they’re the greatest of evils. Funny how Media Matters, a so-called media watchdog group, only watches those opposed to their political ideology. Sure, the ads use Limbaugh’s own words, cut up and out of context. But then that’s standard issue for Media Matters. Certainly Rush went too far with name calling and stretching the facts to connect Fluke with prostitution. If he had simply stuck to his point, exemplified in his typical style, this entire issue would be moot. He messed up. When Al Gore does it he get’s an award. When Limbaugh does it the Earth splits. Is Limbaugh getting what’s coming to him? Probably.
I don’t see where RBR is entering into a smear campaign. They merely pointed out Media Matters is trying to smear Limbaugh. They didn’t label any of it as right or wrong. RBR didn’t defend Limbaugh. They pointed to the popularity of Limbaugh which could be disruptive if he left broadcast radio.
Thanks RBR for following the story.
And no, I’m not a conservative nor a fan of Limbaugh.
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