Discrimination
Air America Host Randi Rhodes Suspended for Calling Clinton 'Whore'
By Ann Turner

Apr 4, 2008

Randi Rhodes

Randi Rhodes, a host on the progressive Air America radio network, was suspended on Thursday after calling Hillary Clinton a "fucking whore" during an event last month. Speaking at an Air America affiliate event in San Francisco, Rhodes targeted insults and foul language at Clinton and former congresswoman Geraldine A. Ferraro.  

In what appeared to be an attempt at a comedic standup routine, Rhodes told a laughing audience, "Gerald Ferraro turned out to be the David Duke in drag. Who knew?" (Duke is a well known white supremacist.) "What a whore Geraldine Ferraro is," Rhodes said. "She's such a fucking whore."  

Rhodes, who is a Barack Obama supporter, continued her rant by attacking Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, saying she was trying to steal the election by manipulating delegates. "Hillary is a big fucking whore too," Rhodes stated. In her performance for the crowd, Rhodes also vented against New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who recently resigned over a prostitution scandal.  

The entire tirade was captured on video, a copy of which surfaced on YouTube.com this week.  

Air America Chairman Charlie Kireker released a statement to the press on Thursday confirming that Rhodes has been kicked off the air. "Air America has suspended on-air host Randi Rhodes for making inappropriate statements about prominent figures, including Senator Hillary Clinton, at a recent public appearance on behalf of Air America in San Francisco which was sponsored by an Air America affiliate station," Kireker said.  

"Air America encourages strong opinions about public affairs but does not condone such abusive, ad hominem language by our hosts."