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Owens: Limbaugh's Attack On Scozzafava 'Offends Me Personally' And 'Exemplifies Exactly What's Wrong With Hoffman'

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2009, 6:16PM

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NY-23 candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D)

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Bill Owens, Dede Scozzafava, Doug Hoffman, NY-23, Rush Limbaugh

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Democratic NY-23 candidate Bill Owens is jumping to the defense of Dede Scozzafava, his Republican former rival who dropped out of the race and endorsed him against Conservative Doug Hoffman, following an attack on her by Rush Limbaugh.

Limbaugh declared today that Scozzafava was "guilty of widespread bestiality. She has screwed every RINO in the country." Owens released this statement:

"This despicable attack on Assemblywoman Scozzafava offends me personally and exemplifies exactly what's wrong with Hoffman and his right wing backers. Assemblywoman Scozzafava is an honorable public servant who has served Upstate New York as an independent and principled leader who always prioritized the best interests of Upstate New York ahead of a partisan agenda. Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the right wing special interests that are running Hoffman's campaign can't even begin to compete with what she has accomplished over her career."

"Doug Hoffman and his supporters have sunk to a new low today. There is no excuse for this kind of shameful rhetoric and Doug Hoffman ought to denounce Limbaugh immediately."

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60 comments

Recommend Recommend (5)

Subliminability

November 2, 2009 6:30 PM

Olympia Snowe, are you listening?

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November 2, 2009 6:52 PM in reply to Subliminability

Let's NOT page Olympia Snowe.

The lesson that Snowe is likely to take away from NY-23: immediately run to the right, to preempt a wingnut primary challenge.

Most GOP incumbents, if given the option of being Doug Hoffman (in the race, possibly the winner) or Dede Scozzafava (didn't even make it to the finish line), will choose Hoffman.

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November 2, 2009 7:52 PM in reply to CN

I don't think she'd do that. For all of her faults, she's remained what she is, a moderate republican.

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November 2, 2009 8:33 PM in reply to calchala

and that shit don"t fly in Maine...

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November 3, 2009 9:09 AM in reply to calchala

She's remained what she is, all right...a monomaniacal excuse-maker for the right wing. Snowe is worse than most other Republicans because she's more of a fraud. She pretends to be "moderate" to maintain her popularity in Maine. When it comes down to it, she'll go "right" down the line. Snowe sucks.

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Beetlejuice

November 3, 2009 6:05 AM in reply to CN

Senator Snowe doesn't strike me as one who would run and hide. I don't think the rabble-rousers from out-of-state are going to sway her one bit.

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November 2, 2009 8:43 PM in reply to Subliminability

Oh my. Could you imagine if a Democrat went on the radio and accused any one running for office of screwing animals? It would probably equal the end of the Party. But for Republicans, it rallies their cause. It motivates them. Just like with "death panels" or birthers, the crazier the conspiracy theory, the greater the Republican motivation. Why does everything they do have to be a Freedom Fighting Revolution??

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November 2, 2009 11:07 PM in reply to Chris

And do we hear even a peep of condemnation from any Republicans anywhere? Of course not.

Compare that to how Democrats disapproved of Grayson's true statement that the former chief lobbyist for Enron was a K Street Whore. Republicans loved how the Democrats did that and especially because they know they will never do the same because they don't give a damn what they say or do to win.

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November 3, 2009 11:23 AM in reply to oleeb

So, where is the Dem meme on this one? Play by the Republican rules... How can we trust that they will take on the terrorists when they are afraid to take on Rush Limbaugh?

Remarks, I must say, anytime you have to explain a joke, it isn't funny... was Rush talking about ACTUAL bestiality? Does it matter? The guy is a boil on the butt of humanity.

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Beetlejuice

November 3, 2009 6:07 AM in reply to Chris

Ya think PETA is going to get involved on this one?

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November 2, 2009 6:33 PM

And people wonder why 80something percent of America thinks Rethuglicans are crazy scum?

Owens, on the other hand, seems to be a decent man. And he had the balls to call Rush out, so more kudos.

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November 2, 2009 6:42 PM

This last bastion of Respectable Rocky Republicanism

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November 2, 2009 6:43 PM

Limbaugh declared today that Scozzafava was "guilty of widespread bestiality. She has screwed every RINO in the country."

If I was Assemblywoman Scozzafava I'd think seriously about suing Limbaugh for libel. It's high time someone took him on! As someone wiser than I once said "we may have the Right to Free Speech, but that doesn't mean we have to listen to all of it".

Especially those that lie and make disgusting statements!

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November 2, 2009 8:25 PM in reply to nobillary

Sorry to let you down but:

Two words... and a letter.

Hustler v. Falwell

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Beetlejuice

November 3, 2009 6:12 AM in reply to nobillary

If she didn't have the money to push forward with this election, she doesn't have the cash to go after Limpballs....he's got a huge nest egg that allows him to say whatever he wants. Besides, he claims to be an entertainer, like a stand-up comedian, so she may have trouble with the libel issue.

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November 3, 2009 9:26 AM in reply to nobillary

I couldn't disagree more. Sure, it's a slimy comment. But heaven help us all if people can be sued for libel for disparaging politicians in graphic terms. Every blog in the country, left and right, would be shuttered.

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November 3, 2009 9:35 AM in reply to nobillary

You just made the point of why she CANT sue. One, she is a public figure and two, if you don't like it, don't listen. Oh yeah, three, because scumfuckers like Rush Limbaugh know that they can say whatever they want and their scumsucking fans will suck it up....

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Schmed- ley

November 3, 2009 11:05 AM in reply to nobillary

Plus, it would be slander.

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Joe

November 2, 2009 6:56 PM

It is just shocking to see that the Republican Party has mutated into Monty Python's Silly Party!

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Schmed- ley

November 3, 2009 11:07 AM in reply to Joe

Very Silly Party!

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November 2, 2009 7:16 PM

Sad part:While we are fairly active political compared to the average voter across the country, most average voters are not sufficiently in the loop to be fully aware of the republican "loony-ism."

Seriously, how can this quality garbage me a national party? There is something terrible wrong is happening in this country, and not many seem to know about it?

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Walter Mitty

November 2, 2009 7:32 PM in reply to kash79

it is concerning. I could understand the teabaggers, but there isn't enough teabaggers to elect Hoffman in NY-23. He's going to get votes from the rank and file Republican voter who votes for the party and not the candidate.

McHugh won with 65% of the vote each of the last two cycles, and I'm pretty confident that Hoffman will not win by that spread. So there is certain solace there I guess a 55-45 spread means Republicans chased away 10% of their support. However Obama also won the district with 54% of the vote - How can an Obama supporter vote for Hoffman?

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November 2, 2009 8:40 PM in reply to Walter Mitty

"How can an Obama supporter vote for Hoffman?"

by staying home...

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November 2, 2009 8:50 PM in reply to kash79

Right on dude. Something terribly wrong for sure. How is that a comment as disturbing as fat boy's can motivate people is beyond me. But motivate it does. Republicans cheer this sort of stuff on. They applaud it, laugh and giggle and slap terrorist fist bumps whenever drug boy turns on someone. Their entire movement, is entirely built around tough guy, nut slapping catch phrases by sicko drug addicts. Make them own it.

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debbiedoesnothing

November 2, 2009 10:18 PM in reply to Chris

Really working on the self-promotion there, aren't we, foldboy?

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November 3, 2009 10:19 AM in reply to debbiedoesnothing

Sure thing make believe girl.

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Beetlejuice

November 3, 2009 6:23 AM in reply to kash79

I think the problem is a large group of people dispersed throughout the country feel disenfranchised and they want to take their country back from the majority. Unfortunately for them, they are a very small part of the overall population and not concentrated in any one area or region to be an effective force in the political arena. However, they are large enough to sway some elections in certain regions and districts. If Palin does create a third party, they'll have a nest to gather around. In turn, the Republican Party will rid itself of the fleas and ticks they've accumulated over the years. In doing so, they'll realize the need to create and nurture a political coalition with the Democrats to keep political power away from the crazies that will flock to Palin's political party.

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November 2, 2009 7:23 PM

I doubt that a suit would get past a motion dismiss because Ms. Scozafava is a "public figure" for First Amendment purposes and a politcal candidate public figure at that. This gets right to the borderline of what constitutes actionable libel (it is libel but is it actionable) in such a circumstance. She would need to be able to front $1 million in legal fees which she does not have unless she gets someone of some organization to finance the suit. Unfortunate, but that is the way it is.

Any bets on any Republican of any reknown denouncing Limbaugh before the polls open (or close)?

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SkippyFlipjack

November 3, 2009 3:28 AM in reply to david46

Actually I think a suit would be dismissed because this was an obvious play on the word "RINO" and not an actual accusation of bestiality. No reasonable adult would think El Fatbo was accusing her of this.

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Beetlejuice

November 3, 2009 6:26 AM in reply to david46

Even if they do renounce him, before the week is out, they'll recant.

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AJM

November 2, 2009 7:26 PM

Which is worse -- an accusation of bestiality or an accusation of being a whore? The rules should be the same for insults on both sides. Flush Limbo needs to apologize.

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Walter Mitty

November 2, 2009 7:29 PM in reply to AJM

Call me when Limbaugh is a Congressman.

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dswx

November 2, 2009 9:11 PM in reply to Walter Mitty

The difference is that Rush is the de facto leader of the Republican party.

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SkippyFlipjack

November 2, 2009 7:34 PM

Folks, this isn't libel. It's called a joke. "She's guilty of bestiality -- she screwed every RINO in the country." It's a joke. Not particularly funny or clever, but a joke. As odious as Limbaugh is, he wasn't literally saying she's involved in bestiality. Wow, what a humorless bunch. Seriously.

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November 2, 2009 7:49 PM in reply to SkippyFlipjack

I concur. It's a vile joke, a stupid joke but its not libel under the law.

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November 2, 2009 7:50 PM in reply to SkippyFlipjack

Eat me.

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Donald from Hawaii

November 2, 2009 10:27 PM in reply to SkippyFlipjack

If you find this sort of comment to be humorous, then you also might it hilarious to note that the only reason you even passed grade school is because your mother fucked the principal whenever she wasn't turning tricks at home while you were in class.

Real knee-slapper, huh?

Crude sexist comments about women political candidates have no business in 21st century American public discourse. Period. That such a "joke" was offered up by a fat guy who probably can't even see his own puny little dick when he looks down in the shower is just disgusting, and tells me more about the nature and mentality of the people who listen to him than it does about the Rushbo's intended target.

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SkippyFlipjack

November 3, 2009 3:25 AM in reply to Donald from Hawaii

I didn't say it was humorous, I said it was a joke. It would make sense that someone who misses that distinction would also think that a bestiality joke was sexist. I'm sure it felt good to type the word "fuck" though. Your therapist will be proud of you.

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Beetlejuice

November 3, 2009 6:32 AM in reply to SkippyFlipjack

Regardless of the posturing on the semantics of what was said, Donald does have a valid point that shouldn't be discarded as trivial.

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SkippyFlipjack

November 3, 2009 11:51 AM in reply to Beetlejuice

Which is what? That Limbaugh has a tiny dick?

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November 2, 2009 8:01 PM

What gets me is that Hoffman gets away with this crap. He's not from the district, doesn't get district issues, and 95% of his contributions comes from out of district. If Owens loses, it will be because he didn't run this theme enough. He should have been blasting the airwaves for the last two weeks pressing this issue, and he should have framed this not as a liberal/conservative issue, but that Hoffman is an empty suit whose being pushed by folks who don't care about the NY-23.

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Beetlejuice

November 3, 2009 6:39 AM in reply to Minnesotan

oh let him win! Let the republican party deal with their misfits. After all, they opened to doors to let them in in the first place so they need to face the beast they've created. Besides, nothing is more satisfying for us democrats than to see the beast the republican took in starting eat their own. If the republican party leaders can't control the beast, they'll be what's for dinner next.

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November 3, 2009 9:10 AM in reply to Beetlejuice

"they'll be what's for dinner next"
And then, when they are in control of the actual apparatus, won't that be worth the feeling you get now saying that.

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November 2, 2009 8:17 PM

Unbelievable. This party deserves (and will not get) an embarrassing collapse.

By the way, the lobbyist that Grayson called a "whore" is, in fact, the whoriest whore you can ask for - but in a metaphorical sense. It was out of bounds because the lobbyist was a woman, and the accusation could be taken in the literal way, which is exactly the way that Hannity and the other victims of False Outrage took it, because it was political. Grayson apologized. Will Limbaugh? Never.

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Walter Mitty

November 2, 2009 8:19 PM

Nate Silver is all but calling it for Hoffman, giving Owens a 25% chance of winning at this stage given the polling.

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November 2, 2009 8:26 PM

Get a grip people. This morning Kevin Spacey joked about George Clooney having sex with goats. Besides, a political party fighting for the right to sodomy is hardly in a position to comment on sexual practices.

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November 2, 2009 9:02 PM in reply to shooter242

It's easy to understand why a dog would admire a big piece of shit like Rush.

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forked tongue

November 3, 2009 12:12 AM in reply to shooter242

Err...Well, okay. But that doesn't explain why not a single leader of the party that isn't "fighting for the right to sodomy" has ever said a word about Limbaugh's Viagra-fueled Dominican boy-fucking jaunts.

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November 3, 2009 10:38 AM in reply to forked tongue

forked tongue - So it is true that Limabugh and Joel what-is-his-name - the producer of "24", were busted on the way to the Dominican Republic on a sex jaunt with violation of parole Viagra in their possession? This was not in the news because...why? Distasteful true - but that does not keep things out of print anymore.

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commie atheist

November 3, 2009 1:50 AM in reply to shooter242

Shooter. I understand that you can lick your own balls. How do they taste?

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heraldsquare

November 3, 2009 10:21 AM in reply to shooter242

Now that's a platform I can get behind. Or in front of. Whatever.

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Common Sense Caucus

November 2, 2009 8:47 PM

Very good idea. I like it. Coming into an election where you are down this is a great attempt to pull over Scozzafava backers and energize your own base, as well as appeal to women of all political stripes. It's always good if a Democrat can run against Rush Limbaugh.

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Beetlejuice

November 3, 2009 6:46 AM in reply to Common Sense Caucus

You missed the point of the debate. Scozzafava and Owens are from the district. Hoffman is a carpetbagger - doesn't live there. How would you like being represented by Representatives and Senators that do not have an anchor set in your district?

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screaminmeme

November 2, 2009 9:41 PM

Posted this afternoon at Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/02/limbaugh-scozzafava-guilt_n_342535.html?show_comment_id=33824160#comment_33824160

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November 2, 2009 11:04 PM

Big deal. This is why wingnuts beat the "reasonable" candidates so often. The reasonable people are being so personally offended that they don't get their message out and they look like wimps in comparison. They look like wimps in large part because that is what they are. The wingnuts are offensive cavemen and loony extremists but they don't get sidetracked from their message.

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hwb

November 2, 2009 11:45 PM

American Taliban takes over Ft. Drum 23rd District.... The national Conservative Cult (Limbaugh, Palin, Beck, et al) has run our locally selected candidate out of the district and substituted a third party, two-issue candidate (gays & abortion ) who doesn’t even live in this District. Beginning to sound like Afghanistan up here. Republicans are no longer a political party...they're merely lobbyists for the narrow minded faction of the party who put the Bible before the Constitution….the American Taliban. Today a democracy... Tuesday, a theocracy.

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November 3, 2009 8:53 AM in reply to hwb

That's it in a nutshell.

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November 3, 2009 8:56 AM

So, McCain was great because he was a "maverick" who had "bucked his own party," but Scozzafava is a whore? I get it.

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mikedrevguy

November 3, 2009 9:46 AM

How does one spell Megalomaniac? l-i-m-b-a-u-g-h
He's not too far away from being found in a corner chewing his own arm off - thus is the fate of such individuals.

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November 3, 2009 10:56 AM

Not to defend Rush, but the joke isn't about "actual" bestiality (obviously) and it's not about her being a whore, either. She "screwed" every RINO in the country as in "screwed over", in that she buckled under the weight of all those teabags, thus making it easier for moderates like her to be defeated in the future. See how clever?

I can't believe people are having to explain a Rush Limbaugh joke her. Oy.

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