And when a member of your "team" says something extreme, it is either ignored or excused by invoking extreme statements from the other side of the ideological gulf -- therefore the conservative response to Rush Limbaugh calling Sandra Fluke a slut was to try and make the debate about Bill Maher's past statements about Sarah Palin.

CNN: Where's the outrage over Republican's 'communist' claim?

Controversies in recent months over exempting birth control from health care coverage, spiced by conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh's labeling an advocate of contraception coverage a "slut, " raised the profile of women's issues in the political spotlight.

CNN: Obama adds politics to women's forum

Rush Limbaugh has been an inescapable presence in the media this past week since he called a Georgetown University law student a slut for speaking out in favor of having employers cover contraceptives in their health care plans.

FORBES: Rush Limbaugh's Real Problem: He's Become Less Influential