(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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Rush hears the footsteps behind him so he pulls a Weeper of the House like cave in. He needs to go to hillbilly heroin rehab after he is fired.
Limbaugh has never been a conservative anything. However, Limbaugh IS a Very successful OPPORTUNIST, he has flim-flam thousands of very impressionable, (stupid) people, who claim his actions as their voice.
this is getting a lot of talk over at "9qatimes" you can google that !!
If one thing Limbaugh is not, it's humorous. Never has been entertainment. Limbaugh makes his money by saying obnoxious things about anything and anyone he doesn't like. Only problem is this time he went too far – far enough that advertisers have been leaving his show. The power of the dollar is why Limbaugh does his show – making money.
It's the only reason Limbaugh has attempted an apology. It wasn't a genuine apology. Next week will be interesting to find out what advertisers are left – that's when the rest of us write them and tell them we are boycotting their products. It'a also time to boycott the local radio station that broadcasts his show.
Time for the power of the people to take over instead of all these millionaires telling us what to do. Soon they will learn they can't keep complaining about liberals without some consequences.
This guy is a symptom of a disease hurting our country for decades now. Lock-step ideology with absolute disregard for different opinions is killing our democratic form of government. We have a basic two party (with fractions) form of government, with a wide range of free speech and opposing views. When Rush or any other fixed-thought pundit, left or right, bashes persons or opinions, they bash our basic freedom of speech and the very fabric of America.
The sincerity is killing me.
Let me see, the GOP are all against providing birth control to women. I guess the expense of birth control is more then letting young people bring unwanted kids into the world. And then supporting them with wellfare, foodstamps, health care, etc. Get real Rush, you pea brained moron.
Long term contraceptives such as Mirena etc. shoukd be covered. Ther are cheaper than having a child raised on welfare.
Apology not accepted. The ONLY reason that this idiot apologized is because advertisers are running away. The ONLY reason. I generally don't participate in boycotts, but I want to say this clearly. I will not buy ANYTHING from ANY COMPANY that advertises on this hate monger's show. He has crossed the line too many times and I'm done ignoring it and subsidizing it. He is not 'just an entertainer'. He is the voice of right-wing hate and fear. I have looked through the list of companies who advertise on his show and notified the ones I do business with (I'm looking at you Carbonite) that I'm not willing to overlook this. Civility in public discourse means something to me. This was the last straw. This was way over the line. Apology not accepted. If you advertise on his show I will find other companies that share my values to do business with. Companies have a right to advertise wherever they wish. I have a right to take my business elsewhere.
This man is evil incarnate on earth and his following of fans are no better.
Rush has stepped in it. Romney waited too long to weigh in and his 'inapppropriate language' comment was tepid. A Profile in Courage was NOT demonstrated by the one who wants to be Commander In Chief, but lived in a French palace during VietNam while waiting for a high draft number, which he received in his 4 th year!
I'm sorry. It seems "I'm sorry" is supposed to fix everything. Backed up with, "Just kidding", or "can't you take a joke". No, I can.t. Your entertainmedt at someone elses expense should be paid for with a big check.
I can't remember the last time Rush apologized for anything. Is there a last time? He is just a shock jock anyway, so it shouldn't matter what he says, but he certainly wagged the republican party in the last election, which makes the republican party really scary. Imagine if the democrats were courting the good press of Howard Stern. No, the real story here is Romney's non-reaction. What language would he have used? Why did he not just write Limbaugh off as a clown like Santorum did? And that is the republican moderate. Scary.
rush is nothing but a blow hard. All he does is sit on his fat butt and barfs out comments of people trying to make a positive change. We really do need an "Island of Misfits" so we can send people like him.
Yeah, It means a lot coming from a moron like him. He of all people should not be making rude comments about other people's morals. Married and divorced a few times, prescription drug addictions. Yeah, he is a real MORAL compass.
Regardless...you still meant it. I think maybe its time you found something else to do. Like stay away from the radio station. Your kind of humor as you call it is just destructive and sickens the soul. Don't understand how anyone can listen to your lies.
“My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir,”
Sure, pass off your venom as being humor.
Oh, please. His apology is so insincere it's a joke. I don't know if he has any children (I hope he hasn't procreated), but how would he feel if his daughter was treated like this? Never mind. That would take the ability to think rationally and to exhibit some amount of compassion. Mr. Limbaugh is not capable of either.
This guy should be fired! Other people have been canned for less. If this was meant to be funny, this is by far the most outrageous statement about a person who just expressed her opinion. No apology accepted!!!!!!!
Looks like the money has finally spoken.
Now if he would only apologize for all the other nonsense he spews (and knuckleheads believe.)
Limbaugh's brand of verbal trash has absolutely no place in responsible media. A simple apology on his web stie, doesn't quite cut the mustard. This piece of fecal material is long overdue to be flushed.
The republicans can never keep the horns of hate covered. It's number one reason for being is hate. Thier hate is caused by the love that they have for money.
I'll bet his Viagra is covered....
I sincerely hope she sues the hell out of him. His pomposity knows no bounds and he needs to be knocked down a notch or two. "Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot".