By Greg Hazley
MSNBC host Ed Schultz was suspended by the network yesterday after he made inflammatory remarks about a female conservative talk show host on his radio program.
Schultz called pundit Laura Ingraham a “right-wing slut” on the air of his radio show, syndicated by Dial Global.
Schultz apologized on air Wednesday, calling his remarks “vile and inappropriate” and asking for Ingraham’s forgiveness.
“I have embarrassed my family. I have embarrassed this company, he said. “I have been in this business since 1978, and I have made a lot of mistakes. This is the lowest of low for me.
The network said management met Schultz Wednesday afternoon and accepted his offer to take one week of unpaid leave for the remarks.
“Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said a statement from MSNBC, which earlier this year suspended another host, Keith Olbermann, for making political donations. Olbermann has left the network.
In a Facebook message, Ingraham took a swipe at Schultz. “First, I was surprised to learn that Ed Schultz actually hosted a radio show. Is it only available online? Second, I have to get back to recording the audio edition of my new book ‘Of Thee I Zing.’ Now I'm tempted to insert one additional zing--about men who preach civility but practice misogyny.”
Later, she added an apology: "It seemed heartfelt, it seemed like he really wished he hadn't said it, and I accept that apology. We disagree on big issues and I'm tough, I can take the critique and I can take the humorous critique. We don't want to Google our names and find certain words popping up which unfortunately you can't erase."
MSNBC moved Schultz’ “The Ed Show” into the 6 p.m. slot in April 2009 and he took over Olbermann’s 10 p.m. slot in January of this year.
Here’s what Schutz said on the radio Wednesday:
“President Obama is going to be visiting Joplin, Mo., on Sunday, but you know what they're talking about, like this right-wing slut, what's her name? Laura Ingraham? Yeah, she's a talk slut. You see, she was, back in the day, praising President Reagan when he was drinking a beer overseas. But now that Obama's doing it, they're working him over.”
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