Conservative radio launches sexist attacks against Snowe, Collins

After Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) voted for the Senate Finance Committee's health care reform bill and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) stated that she “share[s] the goal of passing health care reform,” several right-wing radio hosts have launched sexist attacks against the senators. For instance, Rush Limbaugh proclaimed that “the voice of the new castrati” applauded Snowe's support of health care reform and declared, “Women, damn it,” in response to Collins' statement, and Michael Savage asserted, “Jezebel is Olympia Snowe.”

Right-wing media figures turn to sexist attacks against Maine senators

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. From RushLimbaugh.com [accessed October 15]:

limbaughsnowe

RedState's Erickson appears to liken Snowe to White Witch character in Narnia books. On RedState.com, managing editor Erick Erickson wrote: “Olympia Snowe has sold out the country. Having been banished to our world after Aslan chased her out of Narnia, Snowe is intent on corrupting this place too.” Erickson appears to be referencing the White Witch character in C.S. Lewis' book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. According to the SparkNotes summary of the book, the White Witch “has enchanted Narnia so that it is always winter and never Christmas” and is killed by the character Aslan.

Transcript

From the October 14 edition of Clear Channel's The War Room with Quinn and Rose:

QUINN: 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.