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Rush Limbaugh threatens to sue DCCC over sex assault comments

Rush Limbaugh is accusing the Democratic Party's campaign arm of defamation over comments he made in September about campus sexual assault.

By Gabrielle Levy
Conservative talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh. UPI/Alexis C. Glenn
Conservative talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh. UPI/Alexis C. Glenn | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh is threatening to sue the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for taking "out of context" his recent comments about sexual assault.

Limbaugh's attorney sent a letter to the DCCC demanding a retraction and a public apology for sending fundraising emails accusing him of saying "'no'... means 'yes'" when it comes to consent.

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On Sept. 17, the DCCC followed up his comments with a fundraising blast, encouraging stations that carried Limbaugh's show to drop it and for advertisers to pull their spots.

"Comments of this offensive nature are inexcusable," DCCC chairman, New York Rep. Steve Israel wrote in one. "Rush Limbaugh is advocating for the tolerance of sexual assault. He should be taken off the air immediately."

"Let's be clear: Rush Limbaugh is advocating for the tolerance of rape," another email said.

The letter, sent from the office of high-powered Los Angeles attorney Patty Glaser, demanded the DCCC preserve records in preparation for a lawsuit, even though Limbaugh has not yet decided to move forward with the charge.

It accuses the DCCC emails edited Limbaugh's Sept. 16 comments to make it seem like he agreed with the idea of "no means yes" in an attempt to harm Limbaugh's business.

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On his show, Limbaugh was complaining about Ohio's policy.

"Seduction used to be an art," he said. "Now, of course, it's 'brutish' and it's 'predatory' and it's bad."

Then, he quoted the policy: "Consent must be freely given, and can be withdrawn anytime, and the absence of 'no' does not mean 'yes.' "

He went on:

How many of you guys, in your own experience with women, have learned that 'no' means 'yes' if you know how to spot it? I'm probably... Let me tell you something, in this modern [world], that is simply, that's not tolerated. People aren't even going to try to understand that one. It used to be said as a cliche, it used to be part of the advice young boys were given. See, that's what we've got to change. We have got to reprogram the way we raise men. So now... permission every step of the way, clearly spelling out 'why.' Are these not lawsuits waiting to happen if even one of these steps is not taken?"

Limbaugh threatens DCCC with lawsuit

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