Berkley bids to tie Heller to Limbaugh

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., launched an online petition Thursday calling for Rush Limbaugh to be taken off the air, joining a chorus of protests against the conservative talk show host.

Berkley's petition posted to her campaign website demands Bob Pittman, chief executive of Clear Channel Communications, "stop giving Rush Limbaugh a national megaphone with which to launch hateful attacks against women."

Limbaugh is the target of at least five online petitions seeking his removal in the wake of his comments last week attacking a Georgetown Law School student who had spoken out in favor of expanding women's access to contraceptives.

The petition drive served two purposes for Berkley. Besides registering further objection to Limbaugh, she also used it as a base for a new attack on Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., her opponent in this year's race for Senate.

Berkley called on Heller to sign her petition, a day after she called a news conference in which she linked the Nevada appointed incumbent to Limbaugh.

Berkley has contended that Heller's vote last week against the government mandating insurance coverage for contraceptives puts him alongside the conservative talker as unfriendly to women. Heller has disputed the connection. He criticized Limbaugh's comments on Wednesday.

Berkley campaign spokesman Eric Koch said the petition had gained more than 3,000 signatures as of Thursday evening, and they were being sent automatically to Clear Channel via email.

Individuals responding to the petition are being asked whether they want to receive email updates from the campaign, which allows Berkley to add to her mailing list.

In challenging Heller to sign the petition, Koch on Thursday described him as "Rush Limbaugh's waterboy," prompting a reply from Heller's campaign.

"Dean Heller is already on the record saying Rush Limbaugh's comments are offensive. While Nevadans are looking for jobs and a stronger economy, the seven-term congresswoman is running a juvenile name-calling campaign. 'Water boy?' Sad," said Heller spokeswoman Chandler Smith.

A Nevada Republican Party official also challenged Berkley to repudiate comedian and TV host Bill Maher, a liberal Democrat who has used coarse language to describe Republican women such as Sarah Palin and Rep. Michele Bachmann.

"Shelley Berkley can't play both sides of this issue," Nevada GOP Executive Director David Gallagher said. "Will she continue her fight to defend women if it means going up against one of her political allies or is this just election-year hypocrisy?"

In response, Koch said, "It's disappointing when comedians use vulgar and offensive language during their shows and acts. However, this comparison does not pass the laugh test."

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. He can be followed on Twitter @STetreaultDC.