Rush Limbaugh Advertisers' Exodus Hits 45

The stampede for the exits from Rush Limbaugh's radio show is showing no signs of slowing down: Some 45 advertisers have now pulled their ads, according to Media Matters, which is keeping a running tally. Many of them, including the Girl Scouts and Netflix, say they had bought advertising time without knowing their commercials would air during Limbaugh's show, Politico reports. Other big-name exits: JC Penney and Capital One. Adding insult to injury, Canadian rock band Rush has asked Limbaugh's show to stop using its music, saying doing so "implies an endorsement of the views expressed." A lawyer for the band issued a cease-and-desist letter.

But as dozens of advertisers flee, a handful are moving in the other direction. SeekingArrangement.com—which calls itself "the world’s largest sugar daddy and sugar baby dating website"—has announced plans to advertise on the show, and pro-Newt Gingrich super PAC Winning Our Future says it has expanded its Limbaugh ad buy, NPR reports. Also in the pro-Rush column: Sarah Palin, who defended Limbaugh while speaking to reporters after voting in Alaska yesterday, and Bill Maher, who yesterday tweeted, “Hate to defend #RushLimbaugh but he apologized, liberals looking bad not accepting. Also hate intimidation by sponsor pullout.” Limbaugh reassured listeners today that "everything's cool." (More Rush Limbaugh stories.)