Rush Limbaugh apologizes for 'slut' attack

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NEW YORK, March 3 (UPI) -- Conservative icon Rush Limbaugh apologized Saturday for calling a Georgetown University law student who testified before Congress about contraception a "slut."

Limbaugh created the firestorm Thursday when he described Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown Law School student as a "slut" and "prostitute" for seeking healthcare coverage for contraception. He also said Fluke should post video of her having sex online for everyone to watch if she wants taxpayers to pay for contraception.

Fluke testified before a Democratic panel on the link between contraception and women's health after she was not allowed to speak at a hearing called by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.

"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.

"In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke," Limbaugh said Saturday.

"I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities.

"What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit?

"In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a presidential level," he said.

Several U.S. companies said they will stop advertising on Limbaugh's radio program because of his on-air attack.

The advertisers reported a deluge of complaining tweets, Huffington Post reported. Sleep Train, a mattress retailer based in the Sacramento area that has advertised on Limbaugh's show for a quarter-century, was the first to announce it was leaving Friday.

ProFlowers responded to tweets with a message that it is "re-evaluating" its marketing strategy. Quicken Loans, Sleep Number and Legal Zoom also announced they are considering leaving Limbaugh or planning to do so.

"We have listened to our customers & have decided to cease our advertising on The Rush Limbaugh Show immediately," Citrix Systems Inc., a software development company, said.

The liberal Web site Talking Points memo reported the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers announced they were suspending "any and all on-air advertising with the Rush Limbaugh radio program, citing "inflammatory comments" coupled with valuable feedback from both clients and team employees."

Several other Limbaugh sponsors were looking into their advertising policies, businessinsider.com reported Friday.

Limbaugh had made no apology Friday, making fun of President Barack Obama for calling Fluke on the telephone in what the president said was a gesture of support.