Rush Limbaugh 'Slut' Apology Fails? 7 Advertisers Desert Radio Host
Limbaugh Called Law Student Sanda Fluke a 'Slut'
Rush Limbaugh's apology to Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke for his incendiary commentary may not have quelled public outrage. Limbaugh called Fluke a "slut" on his radio show for her beliefs about contraception.
Limbaugh's apology was made in the form of a short statement on his website, RushLimbaugh.com. In the statement, the conservative host said his rhetoric was not meant as "a personal attack on Ms. Fluke," but as a way to "[illustrate] the absurd with absurdity."
"For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity … In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke," read the website.
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For many, Limbaugh's apology comes as too little, too late. Before the apology was issued Saturday, Limbaugh castigated Fluke for three straight days, calling her a "slut," a "prostitute," and a "feminazi." The resulting firestorm caused advertisers to distance themselves from the outspoken host as quickly as possible.
Seven advertisers stopped airing their commercials during the show; online backup company Carbonite was quick to pull their ads from the highly-rated talk show, and issued a statement explaining their stance.
"No one with daughters the age of Sandra Fluke, and I have two, could possible abide the insult and abuse heaped upon this courageous and well-intentioned young lady," wrote Carbonite CEO David Friend. "Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless decided to withdraw our advertising from his show."
The reason for Carbonite and other advertisers' desertion of Limbaugh could be the apology itself. While seemingly repentant for his words, the self proclaimed "Doctor of Democracy" still called Fluke's actions- she testified before Congress about women's health issues- "absurd."
"I think it's absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress," Limbaugh's apology read. "It is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom."
Politicians- perhaps most notably Republican presidential candidates- distanced themselves from Limbaugh, whose belligerent tirade could damage their image in the Super Tuesday contests.
"I don't think he's very apologetic," Ron Paul told CBS's "Face the Nation." "He's doing it because some people were taking their advertisements off his program."
"He's being absurd!" Rick Santorum told reporters while campaigning. Mitt Romney agreed, saying, "It's not the language I would have used."
Sandra Fluke, whom the President personally called to congratulate for advocating women's health issues, said that she would not be silenced by Limbaugh's comments.
"It's an attempt to silence women," she told CBS News. "If we're called these names, then we'll go away … I think women have proven these folks wrong."
