(CNN) - Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh apologized Saturday for calling Sandra Fluke a "slut" this week after the Georgetown law student advocated for contraception coverage in a Democratic hearing.
“My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir,” Limbaugh said in a statement on his website. “I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices.”
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Limbaugh made the original comments Wednesday, in which he also suggested Fluke wanted taxpayers to pay for her to have sex.
"What does it say about the college co-ed [Sandra] Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says she must be paid to have sex?" Limbaugh asked. "What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She's having so much sex she can't afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex."
His remarks set off a major outcry, prompting top Republicans and Democrats alike to denounce the famed talk show host.
President Barack Obama called Fluke on Friday to offer his support, while Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum labeled the comments as “absurd” and Ron Paul described them as “crude.” Mitt Romney said Limbaugh's words were "not the language I would have used."
But Limbaugh repeated his comments during his show on Thursday and Friday, even taking them further to suggest that women who accept free contraception should film themselves having sex so taxpayers could watch.
In his apology Saturday, Limbaugh said he disagrees with the notion that contraceptives should be covered under federally backed health insurance plans, saying he finds it “absurd” that Americans are “discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress” and argued taxpayers should not “pay for these social activities.”
But Limbaugh admitted Saturday his choice of words referring to Fluke were “wrong.”
“For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.”
From CNN Politics
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“My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir,” Humorous? You are the worst liar walking this planet. You should, and I hope you will be fired. If it was a Liberal Host you would be screaming at the top of your lungs to have them fired. The Boycott is on of all Clear Channel's advertisers so your gone. And you are by no means on loan from anyone fool.
Limbaugh's expectation that this an apology and his supporters accepting it as such indicates he still is the same crude vile excuse for a human. His suggesting it was to be ab
What's this? Another extreme-winged political idio t who's "apologizing" for things they said (and obviously meant) publicly? How many times have we seen someone make some insensitive, racial, bigoted, or just something that shows their true intent and nature, and somehow they are all of a sudden "sincerely" apologizing? Yea, of course he's so sincere about it.
Rush is a pig!! I don't hear anything from him about Viagra, which is also covered by insurance. I know of no medical reason to take Viagra, yet birth control pills are used for numerous medical reasons.
So a Georgetown student who spends more than $65k a year to go to school cannot afford birth control pills? What the hell are they teaching at Georgetown, certainly not common sense!
A *real* apology is done in private, and without conditions. This was a non-apology apology, designed more to get himself out of the PR pit he'd dug for himself than it was to convey sincere regret to Ms. Fluke. Rush should be ashamed, as should anyone who supports him.
He still doesn't get it and that was the lamest apology ever.
too little, too late
I will continue to boycot companies that adv. on his show. If I can get a list of advetisers without having to listen to his program.
Must have had a few too many hydrocodones before that day's show.
I'm sorry, but it's time we stop accepting apoligies from people like Rush and just go to court over his slander and lies. Hit him in his FAT wallet and then see how sorry he is. If anyone thinks he has ANY regrets, you have your head in the proverbial place. Lord help the conseratives if this is your hero...
The beginning of the of the end for the fat addict?
I wish people would stop paying any attention to Rush Limbaugh. He is nothing more than a shock jock and he says things like that just to get a reaction out of people.
This CNN story claiming that Rush Limbaugh 'apologized' to Sandra Fluke is, itself, an abuse since Limbaugh's statement contains falsehood, fails to take responsibility for what he said and that he was making a personal attack on this young woman in the most vile manner possible. This kind of media coverage for Limbaugh depicting his statement as an apology is nothing less than a cover for Limbaugh who should be fired for his vile comments on the airwaves.
apology not accepted mr limbaugh, ur a pig and ur on ur way out, have u noticed 8 of ur advertisers have finally had enough of u?
Yes Mr. Limbaugh we believe you, wink wink nudge nudge.
In other words the fat gas bag was stunned by how swiftly his advertisers deserted him – and his lawyer told him Ms. Fluke has a great case to sue him for slander and liable. He isn't sorry – he is a disgusting excuse for a human who hopefully will die soon.
Limbaugh's expectation that this an apology and his supporters accepting it as such indicates he still is the same crude vile excuse for a human. His suggesting it was to be absurd/ humorous shows his lack of sensitivity and intolerance of women. Any company that still supports him on the air or on the future
That was not "insulting word choices.” That was an insulting lie contrary to all the known facts; if he didn't know the facts, which apparently he still doesn't, then he is a shameful ignoramus.
I guess the only reason he apologized is that he sees a lawsuit in the making.
Has Limbaugh ever apologized for anything ever before?
Perhaps it is cynical, but I wonder if the potential loss of sponsors is the real reason for his apology.
what fool would listen to him?
Someone is losing sponsors and has to backtrack.
Too bad Rush Limbaugh's mother didn't have access to birth control.
Well...it's a start anyways. Going forward, can we all just try to turn down the viciousness of our free speech a couple of notches. We're not required to by law, but a little respect for your fellow citizens, regardless of whether or not you agree with them, can go a long way. Like it or not, we're all in this together.
WOW!!!!!!! ...Speechless.y