Is Rush Limbaugh costing Republicans votes?

The GOP was chipping away at Democrats' traditional edge with women voters ... then Limbaugh started talking about "sluts"

Rush Limbaugh may see women voters flee the GOP after he branded a Georgetown law student a "slut" and a "prostitute."
(Image credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Rush Limbaugh isn't the only one who stands to pay for his insulting tirade against law student Sandra Fluke, whom he called a "slut" for advocating mandatory health-insurance coverage for contraception. Pollsters say the influential conservative broadcaster's remarks have reinforced the Democratic argument that Republicans are waging a "war against women," and have thus hurt GOP presidential candidates with women voters. Did Limbaugh give President Obama's re-election campaign an unintended boost?

Limbaugh is driving women toward Obama: The president "should send Rush Limbaugh a thank-you note," says Judith Timson at the Toronto Globe & Mail. Limbaugh's "ugly attempt to sexually discredit Sandra Fluke, infuriated women — and men — everywhere," giving moderates another reason to vote for Democrats in the fall. Obama deftly showed his support for women by commending Fluke, while the Republican candidates disgraced themselves by only "tepidly condemning" Limbaugh's "vile, misogynist tirade."

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