Do Democrats Want the Fluke Uproar to Continue?

Today’s Christian Science Monitor includes an article titled “Rush Limbaugh: Do Democrats want uproar to continue?” It must be a rhetorical question because anyone with half a brain – even if it’s half a brain tied behind his back – knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that Democrats smell blood in the water:

Rush Limbaugh remains in big trouble. Advertisers – 11 at last count – are pulling spots off his radio talk show because of the reaction to his calling Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute.” Opponents are mobilizing on social media for a long campaign to try to convince even more sponsors to drop his program. Ms. Fluke herself has rejected as insufficient Mr. Limbaugh’s attempts at apology.

But here’s our question: At this point, is it even within Limbaugh’s power to apologize enough? Has the political uproar reached a state where Democratic officials just want it to continue?

That’s certainly possible. Over at the liberal Plum Line blog, Greg Sargent writes that it’s hard to overstate what a huge gift Limbaugh has handed the Democratic Party.

“Dems will do all they can to ensure that Limbaugh continues to loom large over the presidential race,” writes Sargent.

He points out an interview Obama campaign senior strategist David Axelrod gave CNN in which Axelrod accused Mitt Romney of not showing enough outrage over Limbaugh’s comments.

“I was kind of shocked when Governor Romney, all he had to say was, ‘Well, that isn’t language I would have used’…. I thought that was a cowardly answer,” Mr. Axelrod said on camera.

I want to make 2 points:

Rush may have used unsavory language to describe Sandra Fluke, but Fluke was no fluke. She planned this whole incident beautifully with or without the help of the Democratic Party. Was she a plant? That remains to be seen, but this much is certain: Sandra Fluke is the wedge that Democrats will use to try and create distance between women and the Republican Party.
When you know that apologizing is useless, stop apologizing.

CNSNews ran an article today with an equally engaging title: “$9: Price for a Month’s Supply of Birth Control Pills at Target 3 Miles from Georgetown Law.” According to the article,

Although Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke testified to the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee last month that contraception can cost a law student $3,000 over three years and that some of her fellow students could not afford it, a Target store only 3 miles from the law school currently sells a month’s supply of birth control pills for only $9 to people who do not have insurance plans covering contraceptives.

That would make the total cost for birth control pills for a student who decided to use them for all three years of law school just $324.

This issue isn’t about Sandra Fluke; it’s not about Rush Limbaugh; and it’s not about the Catholic Church. It’s a moral question. More precisely, it’s about whether hardworking men and women who try to lead decent lives should be required to pay for the immoral sexual practices of people who want to live licentious lifestyles. I have a very strong hunch that most women, especially older women who regret their promiscuity during their college years, will come down on the side of morality. Actually, it’s more than just a hunch. Try asking some of the women you know who are 40 or older, and you’ll see for yourself. Most of them feel that way. I know that’s not a scientific study, but it’s good information.

This is my advice to Republicans: don’t play defense on this issue. Play offense and you’ll win. Bring forward some impressive women, young and old, with the opposing view and let them lead the charge. As a former Democrat, I can tell you with assurance that most Democrats aren’t even half as smart as they think they are. Take the club from their hands and beat them about the head and face with it.

Neil Snyder is a chaired professor emeritus at the University of Virginia. His blog, SnyderTalk.com, is posted daily.