Axelrod Backs Out of Maher Appearance

President Obama might not be planning on returning Bill Maher’s $1 million donation, but his senior campaign strategist isn’t going to appear on the comedian’s HBO show any time soon. David Axelrod canceled a scheduled appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher for later this month, perhaps to avoid criticism from Republicans. Condemnation of conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh after he called Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” has evoked accusations of hypocrisy from conservatives who argue that Democrats don’t have the same reaction when liberal media personalities call Republican women not-so-nice names. Maher has used many crass words to describe Sarah Palin, for example, as has comedian Louis C.K. Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt made clear that Axelrod isn’t ruling out an appearance on Maher’s show, it just won’t happen this month.