Limbaugh apologizes to Sandra Fluke

Rush Limbaugh (AP)

Updated 7:45 p.m. ET

Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh apologized to women's contraception activist Sandra Fluke for his "insulting word choices" after calling her a "slut" and a "prostitute" after her testimony before Congress.

"My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices," Limbaugh said in a statement released on his website Saturday.

Limbaugh's statements caused a firestorm, leading Congressional Democrats to challenge Republican leadership to "repudiate" Limbaugh's remarks; it prompted a phone call by President Obama to Fluke, the Georgetown University law student, to offer her support; and presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum were forced to make statement about Limbaugh's comments.

The storm not only swirled around Limbaugh, he began to feel some of the impact, too.  After his statements and subsequent public reaction, three advertisers, including two mattress companies, pulled their ads from his radio program.

Although he apologized, in the same statement the fiery radio host called Fluke's testimony before a mock Congressional hearing "absurd."

"I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress," he wrote, but he added: "I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke."

On his radio show on February 29, Limbaugh elevated the debate to the next level when he said: "What does it say about the college co-ed Sandra Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? What does that make her?"

"It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute."

"She wants to be paid to have sex," Limbaugh continued on his radio program. "She's having so much sex she can't afford the contraception." 

The point Limbaugh said he was trying to make was that taxpayers' dollars should not be used for contraception coverage.

Limbaugh was referring to Fluke's testimony before the Democrat-organized mock hearing after being cut from the witness list by Republican leadership at an official hearing on the president's recent decision to require insurance companies provide contraception coverage for employees of religious-affiliated institutions.

Her testimony did not talk about sex at the hearing but discussed the importance of birth control coverage for Georgetown University Law School students for family planning and health reasons. 

Fluke told CBS News that Limbaugh's incendiary comments are meant to "silence" women.

"It's an attempt to silence women. That's really what it's about, if we're called these names, then we'll go away and we won't demand the health care we deserve and we need and I think women have proven those folks wrong," said Fluke.

[4easter]

While the words spoken were out of line the message is still clear........ we taxpayers do not need to fund birth control.

The role of the government is to lead and not to infiltrate every area of our lives. We need less government interference and not more.

[fish0n70]

I would gladly pay for Sandra's contraceptives if she would spend the night with me! But, on the other hand, I see no reason why I should have to pay for her contraceptives when she is with Joe Blow down the street...

[wheear]

As a former Republican, I have been offended by Rush Limbaugh long before now. Why did the Republican party let someone who calls himself an "entertainer" when he get's in trouble, become a leader? Rush couldn't be silenced because the party was afarid of him. Congratulations on your second term President Obama.

[Stages92]

As a CURRENT republican, I pray for the unlikely - that this is the beginning of the end for Rush Limbaugh. I am ashamed of what the Republican party has become, and Rush Limbaugh is and always has been a propagandizing paid poster boy for this total embarrassment. These NeoCons have to go. We Americans are steadily losing our liberties to this disgraceful psuedo two party machine that these shills promote, and we are running out of time.

[rhythman]

Stages92

Wow! Best post I've seen in a while. The Republican party has a long a proud history that has unfortunately been co-opted by the likes of Limbaugh and others who have used it for their own purposes. He has nearly single handedly changed political discourse in this country into a blood sport for no reason other than to boost his radio show ratings. Hope to live long enough to see he and his kind fade from the scene.

[noloyalisti]

Limpballs can apologize all he wants. But everyone knows how he feels and what a monstrous mentality he represents. It is all about the rich white male being in charge of everything and everyone. It is a sick and twisted and old fashioned conservative mentality.

[Lindag10]

George: CBS censors the name he should be known by after he was caught with a bottle of Viagra (with someone else's name on it). Rush is only "erect" with HIS meds. LOL

[MurdochSucks]

It is not the job of citizens to scrutinize others' medical treatment. That should be strictly held between the patient and their medical professionals. Why are they going after female contraception and not targeting male erectile dysfunction medication at the same time? The argument is sexist and bigoted. The "words" aren't important, the underlying message was the real problem. The pundits on the right are not happy unless they keep citizens battling each other. That is the only way they keep winning office - distracting people with divisive red herring non-issues.

[noloyalisti]

It's the conservative firm father figure worldview. Women (and children and poor, etc. etc.) are weak and thus more evil that white men. They must be controlled and disciplined and told what to do. It is something inbred into conservatives and they cannot get past that.

[janierain]

First of all, it's inaccurate to compare birth control pills to erectile dysfunction medication. Being fertile is not a medical condition, whereas EDT is. Viagra coverage is more in line with IVF treatment than with birth control.

Secondly, the pill isn't all that healthy. Women who use it are far more likely to have breast cancer (along with fibroadenomas) and many other serious health issues.

I'm a woman. Yes, I believe in birth control, but I make my man wear condoms. It's easy and cheap, especially because he buys them. Most importantly, condoms are great because I don't have to suffer through the complications of pumping my body with artificial hormones.

It's none of my business what other people use for contraception. All I know is that I shouldn't pay for it. Ms. Fluke does not speak for me.

[js2212]

I don't understand why Obama thinks the government can force companies to do everything he wants them to do. It's like every little thing has to be required.

I have a robust health insurance package for my family. All the bells and whistles. My company didn't just give it to me. I negotiated it. Because I felt it's my responsibility to protect my family. I don't expect to be given things. And I don't expect the government to force my company to give me everything I need.

If you don't like your health insurance, go work for a company that offers a better plan and gives you what you need. If it doesn't give you exactly what you need, but you stay with that company, then you are making a business decision to forgo some kind of benefit in favor of working where you want to work.

Many people have a hard time understanding this. And most of them feel that they are owed something, or "entitled" to something.

[noloyalisti]

Like the filthy rich who think they are "entitled"? Who is in charge here, a bunch of capitalist predators or The People?

[js2212]

Entitled to what? You may think they think that, but in reality, if someone is more talented, smarter and harder working than you they are probably going to experience more success than you. It's why people work hard - to be successful and get things. And after a week of hard work, I'm definitely going to feel entitled to some R & R. Will I get to enjoy it? Maybe, maybe not - maybe I have to work around the house instead. The difference between me and you is that, while I feel entitled to some R & R, if I don't get it, I don't blame someone else and envy their R & R, I get busy and do something about it. Like get all my stuff done Saturday and then play some golf Sunday.

You, on the other hand, feel entitled to have the rich pay even more of their money toward your entitlement programs (how you justify this I don't know but you and your friends are embarrassing) and when it appears to you that they aren't (they actually are, as the IRS will tell you that they already pay 70% of tax revenue - something you refuse to acknowledge), then you get all in a huff over "social equality", which is actually a made up term, doesn't apply to real life and legitimizes in your brain your feeligs of wealth envy.

Good luck with your wealth envy.

[alinrodneyvil]

The Conservatives call Limbaugh "just an entertainer". So this is the kind of vile and vulgar trash they find entertaining.

[fish0n70]

The liberals call Maher "just an entertainer". So this is the kind of vile and vulgar trash they find entertaining.

[coliflower_30]

Let's think hard about this for a second. Sandra Fluke is a highly educated, successful law student, with probably over $100,000 worth of accumulated student loan debt. It would be irresponsible of a young woman such as herself, or any other young woman in her position, to have a child. How fair would it be for that child to grow up with less than what he or she deserves? You want to talk about family values, let's think about the children that have to live with close to nothing because their parents got pregnant with an "uh oh" child. Rush Limbaugh had no right to come out and call her a **** or a prostitute. Instead, he should've given her credit for being a responsible, successful woman who has the right to choose what is right for her own body and what is right for her future children if she plans on having any. Being on birth control doesn't make you a **** or prostitute, that comment was completely absurd. And for him to say that it was absurd of her to say anything at a time like this is also absurd. This is a BIG issue; men trying to strip women away from what they've built for themselves since the women's rights movement. Dear men, I don't want to pay taxes for your viagra just as much as you don't want to pay for our birth control. This isn't a man's world anymore. Get over it.

[lzdday]

As a woman, I'd like you to "get over it". Flute has "probably over $100,000 worth of accumulated student loan debt"...then she can put her $9.00 birth control pills on her credit card. Give me a break. I don't want to pay for anyone's healthcare let alone their birth control/viagra needs.

[RetiredArmy_Nurse]

This is not just about Limbaugh insulting and trashing all women, it is also about reproductive health care. Contraceptives are an integral part of this. Most women, including married ones, want to choose the time for pregnancy. This is their private right and it is between them, their partner and their healthcare provider. The state and the church have no business in the bedroom, nor the doctor's office. The neocons will continue to rant & rave, but bottom line is contraception is cheaper than pregnancy and it's none of your business. The fact that the radical right has attempted to make this about religion is taking advantage of religion itself. They see it as another vicious wedge issue to divide the nation. Their rationale is that a divided nation favors republican candidates. It is now a war on women, previously a war on unions & public workers, before that it was war on homosexuals (still is). I'm wondering when they will start coming after us veterans, military retirees, & active duty? We are a minority also and an easy target for neocon wrath with our retirement, disability, total compensation that beats 80% of private sector employees, etc. Just a matter of time, I hear low rumblings already.

[Lindag10]

Excellent comment. I'm a senior on a limited income. With my pension and Social Security I can live in modest comfort. However, the Republicans have been doing everything they can to limit Social Security benefits, medicare, etc. Another vulernable segment of society. Except for those two ex-1st Sgt. clowns yesterday, the vast majority of veterans, military retirees and active duty are concerned about the welfare of ALL Americans, not just themselves. I spoke to one of my cousins (a retired Marine Col.) about the way those two claimed they treated their units and he just sighed. He was very familiar with their type and said he discouraged that behavior in his command as it was counterproductive and the units where that happened were so problematic. The inability to listen to others and accept a differing point of view seems to be on the rise throughout the country. We need leaders that are able to work together and less angry rhetoric.

[READITBOB]

When it comes to items such as birth control -- I really feel that it is a personal care product and should be purchased by the individual. One woman mentioned that she really resented that she and her family were being forced to pay for birth control for other waoman/women down the street.

I think how she said it was, "why should my husband pay for the young lady down the streets birth control, he isn't even involved with her s_xually -- she really objected to that and when it is put like that I can see exactly what she is saying. We need to step back and appreciate individualism and sway away from allowing our Liberty and individual independence being stripped from our lives!

My view: I always took care of and paid for my/my partner Birth Ctrl - and it was not expensive at all... now I do not need it but my medical cost have GONE UP because - the medical plan has to buy someone elses birth control -- this is a rip off!

[parrots7]

Your medical cost did not and will not go up JUST because of the added birth control pills - like you pointed out yourself, 'it was not expensive at all' .... How did the woman and her family feel about paying for YOUR Viagra and for the many men that use it ?? Dumb Dumb Repugs !!

[rightontarget]

Medical costs have GONE UP because big Pharm doesn't think they have made a big enough profit yet. And just why should the "young lady down the street"have to pay for some other old guy's blood pressure medicine then? She doesn't need that medication either. The costs involved with all Medical goods and services have skyrocketed!!! It's all about profits. There never used to be all those lame ads on TV about "ask your doctor of such and such medication is for you" Drug pushers, all of them! And don't forget about the guy or gal who struts into your doctor's office with that little black briefcase and walks right in to see the quack before you even though you are sick. They leave their 'samples" and push their products. Like I said, they are nothing more than legalized DRUG PUSHERS.