U.S. Edition
(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.” – Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
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.”
Whatever, fat boy! If not for public outcry and pressure from sponsors, he would be still repeating those words, as he did for days.
What he did was cause a national embarassment to himself and those who blindly hang on to his every word. Why is it I can't find anybody who admits to listening to him? I am sure it is partly because some know that being associated with him is putting the same label on themselves. And they called themselves CHRISTIANS!!!
I never heard the left apologize for what they called Sarah Palin. Hypocrisy.
Your headling is WRONG. Limbaugh did not apologized to Fluke. He made a statement using the word apologize but he did not apologize. He repeated his comment over and over for three days. When he got a lot of negative feed back he offered a statement containing the word apologize but conditioned his apology to be meaningless.
CNN should be more careful in forming HEADLINES to stories.
How come no comments, from anybody, are showing for this piece?
Rush,what you said is the truth. Idon't think an apology was necessary.
Why apologize, this is how he feels, then he is entlited to his opinion
Funny how when the rateings drop "Im sorrys come out"
This comes from a big fat man who was caught with bottles of Viagra while returning to the US. from a trip south of the border. The Viagra was in someones name other then his. Guess the only thing he can get up is his dirty mouth. If Ms.Fluke was my sister or daughter I would be in south Florida looking for this fat man.
He gives lousy apologies, just like his lousy radio program.
holy cow... he actually has a soul?
Another misleading headline from CNN. Limpbo apologized for his choice of words. He has yet to apologize for his defamatory statements regarding Ms. Fluke. If he doesn't want to get sued into poverty (what a nice thought!), his lawyers have already told him he needs to come out with a real retraction and "refudiation" of what he said.
Can anyone really believe that Limbaugh was merely "attempt(ing) to be humorous"? While I may disagree with him on almost everything, I don't believe he is stupid and doesn't know what he is saying or why he is saying it. There is no way any rational, even semi-intelligent person trying to be humorous would have said what Limbaugh did. Moreover, he did it repeatedly over a number of days, even though he was being criticized for it from the beginning. He must think we are all stupid. In reality, he is merely doing some CYA in order to prevent a flood of sponsors away from him, so it is totally self-serving.
This is not an an "apology" to Fluke but a plea to the sponsors who have or are considering dropping his show. This blithering dirt bag is only concerned with the loss of monies. The "apoology" only came out after the sponsers spoke their dislike of his words, he did not all of a sudden develop a level of ethics or morals. Either that or his wife, deserveradly, lambasted his butt.
He should do more than apologize; his offensive words not only were offensive and inappropriate for Ms. Fluke but also my wife, my daughter, my mother and women in general. Would I be close to him I give at the time I would of gave him a good liking, NO BODY TAKS ABUT THEM IN SUCH MANER. Mr . Limbaugh you are a PIG
Gee, that makes it all better. OK everyone back in the pool.
Is that the best you can do? Quit
I wonder, who is that person, who has pushed that man to apologize?
too little, too late! I'm boycottng his advertisers until they stop supporting rush (hatemonger ) limbaugh.
The miserable dog meant every word ..he only relented because of pressure from above....he knows who breads his butter and if the GOP says back off a little he backs off...It makes me sick to see celebrities and politicians run their mouths..or should I say insert foot into mouth ,,and then a few days later apologize saying they really didn't meant to say that..I find it UN-sincere and hypocritical...if you must run your mouth for a living at least stick to what you say or you become not believable in your views...a flip flopper to say the least...apologies do not suit Limbaugh....Hey you big tub of greasy dog poo..OOPs I didn't really mean to say that out loud....did I?
Finally, this cerebrally challenged gas bag has had to back down! Limbaugh has made a career of using incendiary rhetoric – not to make a point – but to appeal to his "congenitally dunderheaded" fellow travelers. Kudos to Ms. Fluke!
He should not have apologized. Maybe a bit harsh in his language but the point needed to be made in a way that people would hear it. That girl put herself out there to try to effect policy. Politics is a tough business and her testimony was ridiculous on many levels. 1. Her cost estimate was way high 2. Public should not have to pay for that to begin with 3. I am sure any guy would be happy to supply the condom, costing her nothing and birth control only costs $9 or less per month from Wal-Mart
OK for the apology, but Limbaugh is right. By the way – Did you know that in Germany, where there is pretty much universal coverage, contraceptives must be bought by end users with no coverage? Just a thought. It is the economy stupid!
to little to late I'm still going to boycott any advertisers on his show.
The man is an idiot! Just keep repeating that everyone.