Limbaugh apologizes for ‘slut’ comment
(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.”
Rush's "sincere apology" was on his website – he didn't call Ms. Fluke and apologize to her. If you listen to his words, there is no humor in his voice, just mean spiritedness. It is more likely that he regrets seven sponsors dropping him.
"Brilliant move Rush, now lets see how quickly the loony left apologizes for calling Sara Palin, Bristol Palin, Tripp Palin a lot worse."
There was nothing comparable to Rush's defamation of Ms. Fluke, so spare us your poutrage. Palin was a public figure and various pundits made fun of her incompetence. Not the same as defamation. Same with Bristol and Tripp, thought it was Snowflake Snookie's fault for making them public figures. Still not the same and no defamation.
I know Limbaugh is an idiot, but what does it say for my party the Republicans when our front leader Romney just gave him a pat on the hand? I wonder what would Mitt say if some idiot said those things to his wife Ann? No wonder people like me are flocking to vote for the REAL gentleman....... OBAMA 2012!
Get him off the air. This is not the first and will not be the last. An intelligent and reasoned conservative voice is needed and he is nothing but hate and anger.
Dumbledork, please read or listen to Sandras statement and comment when you know what you are talking about
Rush has NOT apologized for defaming Ms. Fluke, only for the words he chose to defame her with. Advertisers need to drop him, we need to keep the pressure on the advertisers and Clear Channel, and Ms. Fluke needs to sue him for defamation.
And this is the vioice of the Republican party ! A humorous voice ? Do 50 % of these so called Christian Americans want to vote for people that condon this "humor " ? Really are they that hateful ? This is very sad !
Rush you should lose all of your sponsors and those who have not done so should be boycotted !
"Humor..." "wrong words..." "Not a personal attack..."
Sure.
Suuuuuurrrre. Weasels are vicious but notoriously cowardly animals. Nothing like a few dropped sponsors to put the fear into this weasel. Hopefully a truly massive lawsuit will drive home the lesson.
I'd like to see Limbaugh and the Catholic Church both disgraced and ruined for the hurt and pain they have caused women and families trying to manage their lives in an overpopulated and out of control world. If someone/something bashed you or the Pope in the face it would not be good enough solution to the way women have been treated by men and by religion throughout history.