Aol, Allstate and Sears yesterday joined a growing list of advertisers abandoning Rush Limbaugh’s radio show in the wake of his derogatory comments about a female law student.
AOL said, “One of our core values is that we act with integrity. We have monitored the unfolding events and have determined that Mr. Limbaugh’s comments are not in line with our values.”
Company spokeswoman Caroline Campbell said advertising on Limbaugh’s show was “not a significant investment for us.”
Other companies that have stopped advertising include ProFlowers, Quicken Loans and the maker of Sleep Number beds.
Allstate claims it mistakenly purchased ad time on Limbaugh’s show recently.
Sears said one of its spots accidentally ran on the show.
Limbaugh called 30-year-old law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and “prostitute” last week after she testified to congressional Democrats in support of health-care policies that would compel all employers to offer group insurance that includes birth control. That would include employers affiliated with groups that oppose the practice.
At least two radio stations — KPUA in Hilo, Hawaii, and WBEC in Pittsfield, Mass. — have also dropped Limbaugh’s show.
The right-wing talker apologized to Fluke on Saturday after advertisers began leaving the show.
Fluke said yesterday that Limbaugh’s apology changes nothing.