a sympathetic figure and the media descended on sandra fluke giving her a high profile platform to fight back. >> what does it say about the college co-ed susan fluke who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? what does that make her? it makes her a slut, right? it makes her a prostitute. >> what was your first reaction when you heard the comments? >> well, i think my reaction was the reaction that a lot of women have had when historically they've been called these types of names, and that really i think a lot of women across america have had to this, and that was initially to be stunned by it, but then to quickly feel outraged and very upset. >> joining us now to talk about the echos of this media and the twist in the presidential campaign, julia mason, host of sirius's "the press pool, david prom from "the daily beast" and an analyst for cnn and dana millbank, columnist for "the washington post." david, you are a kwifsh who has been critical of rush limbaugh. he likes to stoke outrage and draw attention by saying things that are a bit over the line. >> it is good for rush limb bay, and that's not good for the -- >> so that he goes from rating success to rating success. >> all across america there have been brothers of women and sons of women and fathers of women who respond to this by saying i think that's about the worst thing i have ever heard on radio. i did have one constructive suggestion. there's one further clip that rush that you didn't have time for where rush limbaugh invited sandra fluke to post a sex tape of herself on the internet. >> yes. >> now he has issued a kind of grudging apology on his website. i think it would be a nice gesture if he were to send sandra fluke one of his sex tapes. >> something america does not need. >> you have woken us up this sunday morning. dana millbank, limbaugh did lose about a half dozen advertisers. we'll see if they come back. he did apologize. i'll read that in a moment, but sandra fluke was all over msnbc. they love that story. almost nothing on fox news about this. we see the choosing of idealogical sides as to whether or not the slut comments were truly offensive. >> yeah, but i think this was a good reaction by the media. rush limbaugh says any number of outrageous things all the time, and people say that's rush being rush, but i think it's better to put the spotlight on these guys. i certainly wrote about this. we did a lot of it at the washington post and having her front and center on the "today" show is a good idea, and this should occur. if people are out there saying outrajsz things, okay, smoke them out. don't just say that's just how it is. i mean, that's what was going on with glen beck. that's why he was eventually exposed and people said, we just don't want this on our airwaves. >> is this because rather than using strong language to beat up on nancy pelosi, for example, limbaugh had picked out this, you know, georgetown university law student who no one had ever heard of who seemed like a pretty sympathetic figure? >> yes, of course, it's different. i think the danger now is that democrats could overplay their hand. there's talk of a lawsuit against rush limbaugh, and they have had democrats that use it this to raise money. it's rep rehencible. there's a danger of overkill on the other side now. >> is there a danger of overkill in the media coverage? for example, early this morning newt gingrich on "meet the press" said why is the elite media not talking about gas prices or other issues that would make president obama look bad? they suddenly decide that rush limbaugh is the great national crisis of the week? >> all of these things are being covered. it's not an either/or proposition. people are covering gas prices and jobs and the economy and everything else. this is a distraction. it's a horrible one, but the media has an obligation to highlight when these things are said in the public venue. >> i have an obligation to read what limbaugh said. we're going to break away in a moment, but we'll put his statement up on the screen, and this is late saturday after days of continuing his assault on sandra floouk. for over 20 years, says rush, i have illustrated the absurd with absurdity. three hours a day, five days a week. in this instance i chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. i did not mean a personal attack on ms. floouk. my choice of words was not the best, and and in an attempt to be humorous, i created a national stir. i sincerely apologize to ms. fluke for the insulting word choices. in part, he is saying i'm just an entertainer here that maybe went a little too far. >> it was about the most graceless apology ever. >> ever? >> yeah. >> it is interesting to contrast that with the heart felt, on air, in person apologies delivered by david letterman and ed schultz. david letterman, after he said -- he told an ugly joke about one of sarah palin's children, he was on there for seven minutes on his own show in his own voice. not written by a publicist. ed schultz said on his radio program. >> he used the word slut. >> msnbc suspended him, and he -- >> he didn't say it on msnbc. >> yeah, but on the radio. he apologized in person. this is something that has the -- it actually repeats a lot of the accusations. it apologizes for word choice, but i mean, the suggestion that maybe should have used a more refined word to describe this woman, but the -- >> simply his choice of words. >> exactly. >> it's a whole technical vocabulary that he might have used. it was graceless, and i think it's going to -- that's why it's going to linger, and even if it doesn't linger for him, it's going to linger for all those conservatives out there who now are in a position having to take a stance on this. it's not a thing that republicans want to do. >> look how much -- is there something to the notion that there's a double standard that it's worse for conservatives. look dana millbank, how much ed schultz using the word slut got, and admittedly, he apologized in a very manner very quickly, and how this rush story has become the front page top of the newscast. >> because ed schultz is reaching tens or at most hundreds of thousands of people, and rush limbaugh is reaching tens of millions of people, and i think we should get rid of this whole kenard that rush limbaugh is not part of the mainstream media. he is reaching far more than any of us at this table are reaching. the idea that the conservatives or the people on the left would say, you know, criticize the mainstream media, let's just get used to it. we're -- they're all part of the mainstream media. now andrew was part of the mainstream media. there's no such thing -- let me come back to the fact that this is barely been on the radar screen at fox news, and last year when ed schultz used the slut word, the s-word, sean hannity was all over him. there are certain words you never say about a woman to a woman ever, ever, ever. it was over the line and distasteful. when this rush thing came up slightly on the hamnity show, they complained about the left not criticizing its own, but he didn't have a word to say about limbaugh, and it was almost treated as a non-story on fox. >> imauto glad you are calling them out. republicans have done themsdz a terrible disservice to women in the last few months, and fox is now perpetuating that. if they want to be taken seriously as a credible news organization, then i would say that the reporters and some of the anchors at fox are excellent, xlenlt journalists, but there's this whole other part of fox news that contributes that they don't have credible, and the news side has to correct the other side, the commentary side. >> let me turn in our many moments to the presidential campaign. you'll remember the drumbeat early this week was whether or not romney could win the state where he grew up. how badly would his campaign be damaged if he failed to win michigan? well, he won michigan, as you may recall. this is -- let's take a look at some of the coverage. >> it was a close call for mitt romney last night in the michigan primary. romney won his home state by only about three points. >> it wasn't easy. he admitted it was an ugly -- >> this cannot be -- it cannot turn out to be a romney win tonight because a romney win is defined as it's all over. >> mitt romney won both of these events tonight, but winning ugly in this way is not necessarily what the friends and supporters of mitt romney wanted. >> this is cnn breaking news. >> hi, i'm candy crowley in washington. we are standing by to bring you live the president of the united states. you see him there. he has just been introduced at apac, the american israel public affairs committee. essentially these are americans who push for pro-israeli causes. it is a huge group, an influential group. the president was here before. i have with me our foreign affairs reporter. the brez president about to speak, but tense times right now. >> very much, candy. >> hang on. always hard to try to second guess the president. >> please have a seat, thank you. well, good morning, everyone. rosy, thank you for your kind words. i have never seen rosie on the basketball court. i bet it would be a treat. rosie, you have been a dear friend of mine for a long time and a tireless advocate for the unbreakable bonds between israel and the united states and as you complete your term as president, i salute your leadership and your commitment. [ applause ] i want to thank the board of directors ash as always, i'm glad to see my long-time friends in the chicago delegation. i also want to thank the members of congress who are here with us today and will be speaking to you over the next few days. you have worked hard to maintain the partnership between the united states and israel. especially i want to thank my close friend and leader of the democratic national committee, debbie wasserman-schultz. [ applause ] >> i'm glad that my outstanding young ambassador is in the house. i understand that dan is perfecting his hebrew on his new assignment, and i appreciate his constant outreach to the israeli people. i'm also pleased we're joined by so many people, including ambassador michael orr. tomorrow i'm very much looking forward to welcoming prime minister netanyahu and his delegation back to the white house. [ applause ] every time i come to aipac i'm especially impressed to see so many young people here. you don't get the front seats. i understand. you have to earn that. students from all over the country who are making their voices heard and engaging deeply in our democratic debate, you carry with you an extraordinary legacy. the more than six decades of friendship between the united states and israel. you have the opportunity and the responsibility to make your own mark on the world. for inspiration you can look to the man who preceded mow this stage who is being honored at this conference, my friend president simon peres. [ applause ] >> shimon was born a world away from here. it was then poland a few years after the end of the first world war. his heart was always in israel, the historic homeland of the jewish people. when he was -- [ applause ] when he was just a boy, he made his journey across land and sea toward home. in his life he has fought for israel's independence, and he has fought for peace and security. as a member of the -- as a minister of defense,, as a prime minister, as president. shimon helped build a nation that thrives today, the jewish state of israel. [ applause ] but beyond these extraordinary achievements, he has also been a powerful moral voice that reminds us that right makes might. not the other way around. shimon once described the story of the jewish people by saying it proved that slings, arrows, and gas chambers can anileate man, but cannot destroy human values, dignity, and freedom, and he has lived those values. [ applause ] he has taught us to ask more of ourselves and to empathize more with our fellow human beings. i am grateful for his life's work and his moral example. i'm proud to announce that later this spring i will invite simon peres to the white house to present him with america's highest civilian honor, the presidential medal of freedom. [ applause ] in many ways this award is a symbol of the broader ties that bind our nations. the united states and israel share interests, but we also share those human values that shimon spoke about. a commitment to human dignity. a belief that freedom is a right that is given to all of god's children. an experience that shows us that democracy is the one and only form of government that can truly respond to the aspirations of citizens. america's founding fathers understood this truth, just as israel's founding generation did. president truman put it well describing his decision to formally recognize israel only minutes after it declared independence. he said, i had faith in israel before it was established. i believe it has a glorious future before it as not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization. for over six decades the american people have kept that faith. yes, we are bound to israel because of the interests that we share and security for our communities, prosperity for our people, the new frontiers, science that can light the world, but you wantly it is our common ideas that provide the true foundation for our relationship. it is why america's commitment to israel has endured under democratic and republican presidents and congressional leaders of both parts. in the united states our support for israel is bipartisan, and that is how it should stay. [ applause ] aipac's work continually nurtures this bond. because of aipac's effectiveness in carrying out its mission, you can expect that over the next several days you will hear many fine words from elected officials describing their commitment to the u.s.-israel relationship. but as you examine my commitment, you don't just have to count on my words. you can look at my deeds because over the last three years as president of the united states, i have kept my commitments to the state of israel at every crucial juncture, at every fork in the road we have been there for israel every single time. four years ago i stood before you and said that israel's security is sacrisanct, it is nonnegotiable. that belief has guided my actions as president. the fact is my administration's commitment to israel's security has been unprecedented. our military and intelligence cooperation has never been closer. our joint exercises and training have never been morrow bust despite a tough budget environment, our security assistance has increased every single year. we are investing in new capabilities. we're providing israel with more advanced technologies and types of systems that only go tower on closest friends and allies. make no mistake, we will do what it takes to preserve israel's qualitative military edge because israel must always have the ability to defend itself by itself against any threat. [ applause ] >> this isn't just about numbers on a balance sheet. as a senator, i spoke to israeli troops on the lebanese border. i visited with families who have known the terror of rocket fire. that's why as president i have provided critical funding to deploy the iron dome system that has intercepted rockets that might have hit homes and hospitals and schools in that town and in others. [ mrauz ] applause [ . >> now our assistance is expanding israel's defense capabilities so that more israelis can live free from the fear of rockets and ballistic missiles. no family, no citizen should live in fear. just as we've been there with our security assistance, we've been there through our diplomacy. when the goldstone report unfairly singled out israel with criticism, we challenged it. when israel was isolated in the aftermath of the flotilla incident, we supported them. when the durban conference was commemorated, we will always reject the notion that zionism is racism. [ applause ] when one sided resolutions are brought up at the human rights council, we oppose them. when israeli diplomats feared for their lives in cairo, we intervened to save them. [ applause ] >> when there are efforts to boycott or divest from israel, we will stand against them. and whenever an effort is made to delegitimatize the state of israel my administration has opposed them. so there should not be a shred of doubt by now. the chips are down, i have israel's back. [ applause ] which is why if during this political season you hear some questions regarding my administration's support for israel, remember that it's not backed up by the facts and remember that the u.s.-israel relationship is simply too important to be distorted by partisan politics. america's national security is too important. israel's security is too important. [ applause ] there are those that question my security but rather my administration's ongoing pursuit of peace between israelis and palestinians. let me say this, i make no apologies for pursuing peace. israel's own leaders understand the necessity of peace. prime minister netanyahu, defense minister barack, president peres, each of them have called for two states. a secure israel that lives side-by-side with an independent palestinian state. i believe that peace is profoundly in israel's security interest. the reality that israel faces, shifting demographics to emerging technologies, to extremely difficult international environment demands a resolution of this issue. i believe that peace with the palestinians is consistent with israel's founding values. because of our shared belief in self-determination and because israel's place as a jewish and democratic state must be protected. [ applause ] of course, peace is hard to achieve. there's a reason why it's remained elusive for six decades. the upheel heaval and uncertainty in israel's neighborhood makes it that much harder. the horrific violence raging in syria to the transition in egypt. and the division within the palestinian leadership makes it harder still. most notably with hamas's continued rejection of israel's very right to exist. as hard as it may be, we should and cannot give into citizens more despair. the change is taking place in the region to make peace. more important, not less. i have made it clear that there is no lasting peace until israel's security concerns are met. [ applause ] that's why we continue to press arab leaders to reach out to israel and will continue to support the peace treaty with egypt. that's why just as we encourage israel to be resolute in the pursuit of peace, we have continued to insist that any palestinian partner must recognize israel's right to exist and reject violence and adhere to existing agreements. [ applause ] that is why my administration has consistently rejected any efforts to shortcut negotiations or impose an agreement on the parties. as rosy noted, last year i stood before you and pledged that the united states will stand up against efforts to single israel out at the united nations. as you know, that pledge has been kept. [ applause ] last september i stood before the united nations general assembly and reaffirmed that any lasting peace must acknowledge the fundamental legitimacy of israel and its security concerns. i said that america's commitment to israel's security is unshaken. our friendship with israel is enduring, and that israel must be recognized. no american president has made such a clear statement about our support for israel at the united nations at such a difficult time. people usually give those speeches before audiences like this one. not before the general assembly. [ applause ] i must say there was not a lot of applause. but it was the right thing to do. and as a result, today there is no doubt anywhere in the world