A progressive Latino organization is set to begin airing ads on Spanish-language radio attacking members of Congress over the nomination of Judge Sonia Stomayor. In order to stay out of Presente Action's doghouse, a member needs to denounce statements Rush Limbaugh has made calling the Supreme Court nominee a "bigot and a racist."Reps. Adam Putnam and John Mica, both Florida Republicans, are the first two targets. Neither, according to the group, has denounced Limbaugh, despite requests to do so. Putnam is retiring in 2010 to run for statewide office.
The Putnam ad begins in Spanish ..."Sonia Sotomayor is set to be the first Latina, and the first Puerto Rican, to serve on the US Supreme Court. It is a proud moment for our community. Yet Republican leaders insist on attacking her:"
It then switches back to English to quote Limbaugh saying, "She doesn't have any intellectual depth. She's got a -- she's an angry woman, she's a bigot. She's a racist."
Back in Spanish, it tells listeners, ... "That's Republican leader Rush Limbaugh calling Judge Sotomayor a racist and a bigot. It's insulting to all Latinos and Americans. We asked Republican Congressman Adam Putnam if he would denounce Limbaugh's words. He refused to reply. Let's put a stop to the hate. Call Congressman Putnam today at 863-534-353 and tell him to condemn this language."
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee endorsed the ad and set up a page where people can help Presente Action keep it on the air -- DenunciaRush.com.
The Republicans acted like a bunch of George Wallace supporters yesterday on the Sunday shows, going on and on about her 'ethnic background" getting in the way of her judicial judgment, as if the long parade of white males on the court have never made judgments from the perspective of their own privileged perches. They haven't learned a thing.
Limbaugh says these vomitous things with impunity among the Republicans, who crawl over each other for the privilege of kissing his ring. If they don't stand behind these repulsive comments, then they should say so. If they do, then their constituents need to know about it.
It's not hard. Here's how it's done:
(via PCCC email) Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson -- also from Orlando -- did take on Limbaugh, despite representing a long-time Republican district. He said, "We have an African-American President and, soon, a Puerto Rican Supreme Court Justice. I'm proud of that. You're proud of that. And if Rush Limbaugh doesn't like it, that's just too bad." Grayson is a bold progressive in Congress. He successfully prosecuted Iraq war profiteers before defeating a House Republican last year and earning a reputation for grilling Wall Street execs this year. Grayson's outspokenness has made him a top Republican target in 2010. When you chip in to help air the radio ads, we've added a place where you can help Grayson's re-election as well. Please consider it.