PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh says he won't back down from his claim U.S. President Obama is trying to make political hay from the Haiti quake.
When a caller challenged Limbaugh during his show Thursday, the talk show said, "If I said it, I meant to say it, and I do believe that everything is political to this president," Politico reported Friday.
Haiti was struck by a 7-magnitude earthquake Thursday, causing widespread devastation the Red Cross estimates may have killed up to 50,000 people.
"Everything this president sees is a political opportunity, including Haiti, and he will use it to burnish his credentials with minorities in this country and around the world, and to accuse Republicans of having no compassion," Limbaugh said in comments flagged by Think Progress, a liberal blog.
Criticism from both the left and right blanketed Limbaugh for saying the earthquake allows Obama to look "compassionate."
Limbaugh also seemed against donating financial aid to Haiti, saying Americans "already donated to Haiti. It's called the U.S. income tax."
Limbaugh criticized a critic, saying the caller was "closed-minded" and a "blockhead" when the caller said Limbaugh was insensitive to the situation.
