Talk Show Host Limbaugh Apologizes to Law Student for Insults

Talk Show Host Limbaugh Apologizes to Law Student for Insults

Talk show host Rush Limbaugh apologized Saturday to a Georgetown University law student he had branded a "slut" and "prostitute" after fellow Republicans as well as Democrats criticized him and several advertisers left his program.

The 30-year-old student, Sandra Fluke, had testified to congressional Democrats in support of their national health care policy that would compel her college to offer health plans that cover her birth control.

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

Fluke testified to a House committee about her school's health care plan that does not include contraception. Republican lawmakers did not allow her to testify during that hearing, but Democrats invited her back.

President Barack Obama, whose health care policy overhaul requires many institutions to provide birth control coverage, telephoned her his office on Friday to express his support.

Limbaugh was not convinced by Fluke's statements before the House panel.

He said on Wednesday, "What does it say about the college coed ... who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex."

"If we're going to have to pay for this, then we want something in return, Ms. Fluke," Limbaugh said. "And that would be the videos of all this sex posted online so we can see what we're getting for our money."

He also asked Fluke: "Who bought your condoms in junior high?"

By Saturday, six advertisers had pulled sponsorship of Limbaugh's show and Republicans distanced themselves from the comments.

Limbaugh's critics were not persuaded by his statement.

"In all seriousness, this isn't an apology. It's a public relations statement. It's hollow and deceitful. Don't be fooled," tweeted the account StopRush, the effort online to pressure advertisers to abandon the popular host.

Posted by Kade Quinn on Monday March 05 2012, 2:54 AM EDT. Ref: Yahoo. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Entertainment. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0