Limbaugh threatens to sue Democratic group for defamation

While Rush Limbaugh and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee butting heads is nothing new, the most recent clash has generated attention because of its potential of a lawsuit.

The conservative talk-radio host and Cape Girardeau native is threatening to sue the DCCC for defamation after he claims they took comments he made on his show regarding sexual consent out of context.

On a show that aired Sept. 15, Limbaugh discussed the Ohio State University policy that requires verbal consent before having sex. From his discussion, the DCCC highlighted one phrase in particular: "'No' means 'yes' if you know how to spot it." The committee said the statement was tantamount to condoning sexual assault.

It was circulated in emails to supporters in the following days and featured on a page accessible via the DCCC website called "Drop Rush Limbaugh."

"During a rant on sexual assault, Rush Limbaugh asserted yesterday (Sept. 15) that sometimes 'No means yes,'" the page says.

It encourages people to sign an online petition to demand companies pull their advertising from Limbaugh's program. The petition page had more than 327,600 signatures as of Tuesday morning.

Limbaugh's lawyer, Patricia Glaser, on Monday sent a letter to the organization demanding a retraction and an apology.

The letter admonishes the organization, saying " ... the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ('DCCC') -- comprised of elected public officials who should know better -- has intentionally disseminated demonstrably false statements concerning Rush Limbaugh in a concerted effort to harm Mr. Limbaugh, and with reckless disregard for the resulting impact to small businesses across America that choose to advertise on his radio program."

The letter goes on to explain the words were taken out of context from a "facetious question" asked within a larger discussion condemning such actions. It quotes the transcript from Limbaugh's Sept. 15 show, where the statement was made while he was dissecting and at some points criticizing the step-by-step nature of Ohio State's policy.

"Consent must be freely given, can be withdrawn at any time, and the absence of 'no' does not mean 'yes,'" Limbaugh said, quoting the policy. "How many of you guys, in your own experience with women, have learned that 'no' means 'yes' if you know how to spot it? Let me tell you something. In this modern world, that is simply not tolerated. People aren't even gonna try to understand that one. I mean, it used to be said it was a cliché. It used to be part of the advice young boys were given.

"See, that's what we gotta change. We have got to reprogram the way we raise men. Why do you think permission every step of the way, clearly spelling out 'why' ... are all of these not lawsuits just waiting to happen if even one of these steps is not taken?"

The letter demands the DCCC publicly retract its statements and apologize to Limbaugh in a manner that is "clear and express and widely disseminated so as to reach each and every person who was exposed to the defamatory statements."

srinehart@semissourian.com

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