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Sports Blog

March 1, 2012 9:57 AM

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Limbaugh dismisses Patrick as "woman driver"

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Danica Patrick stands by her car before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 27, 2012.

(Credit: AP)

(CBS/AP) It's been a rough two weeks for race car driver Danica Patrick - on and off the track. The NASCAR rookie, who crashed three times in three races at Daytona, has been a target of sexist jabs by two on-air commentators.

The latest shot came Monday from conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who dismissed Patrick as "a woman driver."

According to the New York Daily News, Limbaugh criticized the driver for supporting the Obama administration's contraception policy.

"She said, 'I leave it up to the government to make good decisions for America.' ... What do you expect from a woman driver? I don't know why everybody was so shocked," Limbaugh said.

Danica Patrick: 3 races, 3 wrecks at Daytona

It was the second on-air dig at Patrick within a week. On February 20, a San Diego sports anchor implied a sexist slur when talking about the driver before her Sprint Cup debut.

Fox 5's Ross Shimabuku stopped just short of calling Patrick a derogatory name on the air after the NASCAR driver complained the media always describe female athletes like her as "sexy."

When the broadcast returned to Shimabuku, he responded by saying: "Oh, I've got a few words. Starts with a `B', and it's not `beautiful.' "

Shimabuku later apologized but he paid the price for his comments: On Tuesday, the station announced he was suspended without pay for a week.

29 Photos

Danica Patrick

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Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com

123 Comments +

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by sailrick March 7, 2012 12:13 AM EST

Limbaugh is a vile man. A hate and fear mongerer. A racist, religious bigot, misogynist and a hypocrite.

Reply to this comment


by sailrick March 7, 2012 12:18 AM EST: and a Liar

by WminPhoenix March 6, 2012 12:43 PM EST

Why does anyone listen to this drug addict?

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by Aceduece March 12, 2012 5:04 PM EDT: You forgot the word "fat" in front of drug addict.

by D_dubya March 6, 2012 11:18 AM EST

I read these comments and I am puzzled. I think:

Do they agree with Danica Patrick that the government is best suited to make decisions for each of us?

Is Danica Patrick a woman? And is she a driver?

Do these last two not qualify her a "woman driver"?

Have any of you ever not repeated a "woman driver" joke?

And then I wonder if people have lost their sense of humor?

Reply to this comment


by Mike_in_USA March 8, 2012 11:48 AM EST: Puzzled? You have way too much common sense, plus you can read, to be here. You will be disappointed in most of these posts.
On the other hand, they are better than the funnies. Shallow thought, no sense and requiring no more than cursory thought processes.


by rhythman March 11, 2012 9:39 PM EDT: Come on D-dubya. Rush's comments were dick-h*aded; no damn wonder he can't keep a woman.

by seeingeyenavalbase March 6, 2012 12:26 AM EST

Patrick has placed well at the Indy 500 more than once. Could either of these sexist idiots drive around Indy at 200+mph, in traffic? No. They do not have the skill or the courage to even try. I am a male, a driver, and I have the utmost respect for Patrick.

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by rhythman March 11, 2012 9:46 PM EDT: Neither of them could drive or do much of anything else but run their mouths to get attention. Must be a lonely existence.


by Tina1649 March 3, 2012 1:08 AM EST: Limbaugh is a fat, lame brained idiot - plain and simple.; Reply to this comment


by j40405 March 2, 2012 6:57 PM EST: Limbaugh is nothing more than an extremist wacko. Ms Patrick should pay him no mind. He sits behind a microphone and bullies people around the entire country. Danica is a great driver and she'll get better in NASCAR.; Reply to this comment

by calif7 March 1, 2012 4:52 PM EST

When will someone in the GOP go after this guy? Total intimidation of a political party by one man. Reminds me of Joe McCarthy.

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by anOPINIONATEDsob March 2, 2012 9:48 PM EST: Anyone who continues to give credence to Limbaugh after his past accidents with the truth needs serious mental help. Given Limbaugh's far right poor little rich guy attitude I would bet a chunk more than Romney that he would want medicare to pay for it. mThe guy is nothing more than a Palin with pants!


by D_dubya March 6, 2012 11:12 AM EST: Oh, about the time the Democratic Party goes after Bill Maher, I suppose.

by dee6106 March 1, 2012 4:30 PM EST

WHY DOESN'T HE LOOK AT all the drivers, and count up their wins loss's, and crashes, there are many more men who have worst records then her. do the math, wait can he count past three? and if you go to the video tape! she got wrecked, she wasn't the cause of the wreck!

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by D_dubya March 6, 2012 11:13 AM EST: Can you name any that made that statement about government, or even a similar one?


by lesserof2evil March 7, 2012 2:03 PM EST: yeah, keep government out of your life, i'm sure you don't need government to make sure the food you eat is safe, the water you drink is safe, the plane you fly in is safe, the car you drive is safe etc. Oh wait you do. So stop the keep-government-out-of-youe-life ********.


by nfission March 1, 2012 4:15 PM EST: Rush needs another hamburger for which he will gladly pay you on Tuesday.; Reply to this comment


by addict42 March 1, 2012 4:08 PM EST: Nascar fans and the announcers are neanderthals, but on this one the fat gasbag is right and she's an overhyped mediocre driver who seems to be making it on her looks rather than her abilities.; Reply to this comment