Senator Olympia Snowe, a Republican from Maine, announced that she shares the goal of passing health care reform — not super shocking, considering that the majority of Americans want some sort of reform, and I’m guessing that Snowe’s constituents are among them. Right-wing radio dudes, though, are flipping out, and launching predictably sexist attacks on Snowe. At least they’re somewhat entertaining. From Media Matters:
Jim Quinn: “Stupid Girl” by Garbage “probably fits pretty well.” Quinn stated on his radio show, “Actually, this is a music bed from the song by Garbage called ‘Stupid Girl.’ I didn’t plan it this way, but I’m thinking after Olympia Snowe’s vote yesterday, it probably fits pretty well. Well, don’t give up quite yet on Olympia, because there’s a long, long way to go here, folks, and you need to be very, very vocal. We are doing exactly the opposite of what we should be doing.” [Clear Channel’s The War Room with Quinn and Rose, 10/14/09]
Savage dubs Snowe “Jezebel.” After airing a clip of Snowe discussing her vote, Savage played a portion of the song “Jezebel” by Frankie Laine that included the lyrics, “If ever the devil was born without a pair of horns, it was you. Jezebel, it was you.” Savage added, “Jezebel is Olympia Snowe. Of course she has thrown over with the turncoats who have stabbed America in the back, dragging us into a socialized medical system against the will of the majority of the American people.” [Talk Radio Network’s The Savage Nation, 10/13/09]
Limbaugh: The “voice of the new castrati, those who have lost all manhood, gonads, guts, and courage” applaud Snowe for health care reform support. Anticipating that Snowe was “going to vote yes” on the Finance Committee’s health care reform bill, Limbaugh attacked Snowe by praising the “bipartisanship” of the bill using “the voice of the new castrati.” Limbaugh described the “new castrati” as “those who have lost all manhood, gonads, guts, and courage throughout our culture and our political system.” Limbaugh has previously described the “new castrati” as supporters of Hillary Clinton. [Premiere Radio Networks’ The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/13/09]
Limbaugh on Snowe and Collins: “Women, damn it.” Limbaugh stated on his radio program of Collins: “The second Republican senator signaled yesterday — actually today — that she is open to voting for a sweeping health care bill this year, putting Obama closer to an historic achievement that has eluded generations of Democrat leaders. It is none other than — wait for it — Susan Collins of Maine. Who would have thought this? Dare I say, ‘Women, damn it.’ We have 35 seconds to bleep that comment. I’m going to poll the staff” [The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/14/09]. Limbaugh’s website also highlights his statement with the headline, “Women! Collins Likely to Joine Snowe in Support of Obamacare,” posted above a transcript of his comments.