I published this earlier today on Gather News. You can subscribe to my muckrakings at that venue here.
What is Mitt Romney's connection to Rush Limbaugh? If such a thing existed, could Mitt's Limbaugh connection be what's kept him from issuing a more stern condemnation of the radio show host's 53 individual insults against an innocent college girl who testified before a House committee about the need for employers to cover contraceptives as part of the health insurance benefit package?
The answer is as old as "Deep Throat's" advice to Bob Woodward in the Watergate scandal.
"Follow the money."
But first, so we all understand what we're talking about, here is a video of all 53 of Rush Limbaugh's attacks against Sandra Fluke and all women, everywhere, compiled into one seven-minute video. When you see it all at once, you realize that "I apologize for my choice of those two words, 'slut' and 'prostitute'" just doesn't cut it.
Watch.
Now, when you're done with your shower, more about Mitt's Limbaugh connection.
When confronted with the controversy late last week, Mitt Romney had a chance to set himself aside from the milquetoast response of his fellow GOP presidential combatants. He could have stood firmly and foursquare for the value of womanhood and how Rush Limbaugh's comments were a stain on the very fabric of decency.
Instead, Mitt said:
"I'll just say this, which is, it's not the language I would have used," Romney said on Friday, while signing autographs after an event in Cleveland. "I'm focusing on the issues that I think are significant in the country today, and that's why I'm here talking about jobs and Ohio."
Leaving aside for a moment what the "appropriate" language would be for calling an innocent 30-year-old law student a "slut" and a "prostitute" who "is having too much sex," let's examine what might be the real reason Mitt had nothing stronger to say about the porcine hate-monger.
Money.
According to Think Progress, Romney has corporate ties to Limbaugh. It's true that Limbaugh owns the company that produces his radio program. It is syndicated and broadcast by Premiere Radio Networks, which also procures advertising for the program. Premiere is owned lock, stock and barrel by Clear Channel Communications, which owns radio stations, tv stations, outdoor advertising, shopping malls, Broadway musical productions and Lord knows what else.
Clear Channel is owned by two private equity firms. Thomas H. Lee Partners and (cue the evil "reveal the villain music")...
Bain Capital.
Yes. that Bain Capital. The Bain Capital that Romney ran until 1999.
True, Clear Channel was not acquired by Bain and Lee until 2006. However...
According to Think Progress, "[Romney] still makes a large part of his income from Bain, via a lucrative retirement deal and with millions invested in Bain funds. And Bain and its employees have given at least $151,500 to Romney's presidential campaign, and $2 million to the super PAC backing the candidate."
So, how much money does Premiere Radio Networks, Clear Channel and Bain Capital stand to lose if their cash cow goes belly up? Look at it this way.
Limbaugh and Clear Channel signed an eight-year, $400,000,000 contract extension in August 2008.
If Clear Channel is going to give the fat pants wad $400 million through 2016, then one would expect they intend to make a tidy profit in return. That's probably in the billions for Clear Channel, for Bain Capital, for Romney's investments for contributions to his SuperPAC.
Gee. No wonder Romney all but kissed Limbaugh on his flabby, excrement covered lips instead of calling for a total and complete repudiation of his misogynist, hate-smeared comments.
Funny how that works. The man who, after today's Super Tuesday primaries, will likely be what the media is cutely referring to as "The Rominee" for the GOP, makes money from Limbaugh's continued pumping of raw sewage into the political discourse.
No wonder.