On his show today, right-wing talk radio host Rush Limbaugh accused the Democratic Party of lending its “full support” to Jared Loughner, the man accused of murdering six people, critically wounding Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and injuring 14 others in Tucson this weekend.

In response to calls for increased responsibility in political discourse, Limbaugh said the Democratic Party “is attempting to find anybody but [Loughner] to blame” and that Loughner “understands he’s got a political party doing everything it can, plus a local sheriff doing everything they can to make sure he’s not convicted of murder.”

Michael Keegan, President of People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

“As people across the country grieve and reflect, Rush Limbaugh has accused an entire political party and a respected law enforcement officer of supporting a mass murderer. This offensive and irresponsible claim deserves to be met with harsh condemnation by Democrats and Republicans alike.

“Many of us have called in recent days for the toning down of the irresponsible and dishonest rhetoric that has become pervasive in our political debate. Limbaugh’s ridiculous reaction to this tragedy is proof of the need for a return to responsibility.”

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