The White House says President Barack Obama has called a Georgetown law student whose stand on contraception coverage prompted
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Rush Limbaugh to deride her as a "slut" on his radio talk show. (March 2)
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This video contains ONLY natural sound. No script is available.[SOT/](Jay Carney/White House Spokesman)(" QUESTION: President Obama called the Georgetown University law student, Sandra Fluke, within the hour. Why did he call her? And what did he tell her? CARNEY: It was actually more recent than that. It was probably about 20 minutes ago. QUESTION: That's within the hour. CARNEY: Sorry. You're right. It was within the hour. I just know that that is what -- I was -- I was in the Oval when he did, and that's one of the things that delayed the briefing. The president called Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke --I think is actually you pronounce it -- because he wanted to offer his support to her. He wanted to express his disappointment that she has been the subject of inappropriate personal attacks and to thank her for exercising her rights as a citizen to speak out on an issue of public policy. And it was -- it was a very good conversation. QUESTION: Is that all you can tell us about the conversation? CARNEY: Well, I mean, I think so. It wasn't -- you know, it was several minutes. They had a very good conversation. I think he --like a lot of people -- feels that the kinds of personal attacks that she's -- that have been directed her way are inappropriate. It's --the fact that our political discourse has become debased in many ways is bad enough. It is worse when it's directed at a private citizen who was simply expressing her views on a matter of public policy. QUESTION: Is it appropriate for Democratic organizations to try to raise money off of this attack on her? CARNEY: I think I'll leave that to whatever organizations might agree with her or sympathize with her. The fact of the matter is the president was expressing his support for her and his disappointment in the kind of attacks that have been leveled at her. His appreciation for her willingness to stand tall and express her opinion.)(****END****) VIDEO PRODUCER: dstarddard---------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: Pool -----------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: yes----------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: NOne----------------------------------MARKET EMBARGO (S): None--------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: a0861BC-US--Obama-Contraception,125WASHINGTON (AP) _ The White House says President Barack Obama has called a Georgetown law student whose stand on contraception coverage prompted Rush Limbaugh to deride her as a "slut" on his radio talk show. White House spokesman Jay Carney says Obama called Sandra Fluke Friday and expressed disappointment that she was the subject of personal attacks. Fluke testified before a House committee last week on the administration's policy requiring religion-affiliated institutions to give employees access to health insurance that covers birth control. She attracted attention because the week before, the Republican-controlled committee had rejected a request that Fluke testify. Limbaugh said Fluke's insistence on wanting contraception made her a "slut" and a "prostitute." Carney says Obama believes Limbaugh's comments were "unfortunate attacks." Carney calls the comments "reprehensible."
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