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Limbaugh Launched 46 Personal Attacks On Fluke; He Apologized For Two Words

Rush Limbaugh has “sincerely apologize[d]” for using the words “slut” and “prostitute” to describe Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke on two separate days and claimed that he “did not mean a personal attack” on her. These statements fail to account for the other 44 times that Limbaugh personally insulted Fluke over the course of three days.

  • Limbaugh: Fluke Wants to “Be Paid To Have Sex,” So She's A “Slut” And A “Prostitute”

    On February 29 Show, Limbaugh Claims Fluke's Contraception Testimony “It Makes Her A Slut, Right? It Makes Her A Prostitute.” From The Rush Limbaugh Show:

    LIMBAUGH: What does it say about the college coed Susan Fluke [sic], 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.

    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. What does that make us? We're the pimps.

    The johns, that's right. We would be the johns -- no! We're not the johns. Well -- yeah, that's right. Pimp's not the right word.

    OK, so, she's not a slut. She's round-heeled. I take it back. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 2/29/12]

    Limbaugh “Sincerely Apologize[s]” For “Using Those Two Words To Describe” Fluke

    On March 3, Limbaugh Issues “Statement” That Concludes: “I Sincerely Apologize To Ms. Fluke For The Insulting Word Choices.” On March 3, Limbaugh issued “A Statement from Rush” that read:

    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.

    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.

    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. [RushLimbaugh.com, 3/3/12, via Media Matters]

    On March 5 Show, Limbaugh Said, “I Again Sincerely Apologize To Ms. Fluke For Using Those Two Words To Describe Her.” On the March 5 edition of his show, Limbaugh said that he wanted “to explain why I apologized to Sandra Fluke in the statement that was released on Saturday.” He said that the “mistake that he made” was that he “became like” “the left.” From the show:

    LIMBAUGH: Yeah, I knew it was getting bad. I'm watching the media on Saturday, and I said, you know what, I gotta call myself and cancel and suspend the Two If By Tea advertising. So I called myself to cancel the advertising, and I got a busy signal. So I couldn't cancel my own company's advertising, so Two if By Tea remains a sponsor of The Rush Limbaugh Program and the Excellence in Broadcasting Network. Great to have you here, folks, looking forward to talking with you today as the program unfolds before your very eyes and ears. Our telephone number, 800-282-2882, the email address elrushbo@eibnet.com.

    While I have your attention, give me 30 minutes here. That's all I ask, and then you can do what you want. Just 30 minutes. I want to explain why I apologized to Sandra Fluke in the statement that was released on Saturday. I've read all the theories from all sides, and frankly, they are all wrong. I don't expect -- and I know you don't either -- morality, intellectual honesty from the left. They've demonstrated over and over a willingness to say or do anything to advance their agenda. It's what they do. It's what we fight against here every day.

    But this is the mistake I made. In fighting them on this issue last week, I became like them. Against my own instincts, against my own knowledge, against everything I know to be right and wrong, I descended to their level when I used those two words to describe Sandra Fluke. That was my error. I became like them, and I feel very badly about that. I've always tried to maintain a very high degree of integrity and independence on this program. Nevertheless, those two words were inappropriate, they were uncalled for, they distracted from the point that I was actually trying to make, and I again sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for using those two words to describe her.

    I do not think she is either of those two words. I did not think last week that she is either of those two words. The apology to her over the weekend was sincere. It was simply for using inappropriate words in a way I never do, and in so doing I became like the people we oppose. I ended up descending to their level. It's important not to be like them, ever, particularly in fighting them -- the old saw you never descend to the level of your opponent or they win. That was my error last week, but the apology was heartfelt. The apology was sincere. And as you will hear as I go on here, it was not about anything else. No ulterior motive, no speaking in code, no double entendre or intention -- pure, simple, heartfelt.

    That's why I apologized to Sandra Fluke on Saturday. So all the theories, all the experts are wrong. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/5/12, via Media Matters]

    Limbaugh Attacked Fluke Personally 46 Times, In A Variety Of Ways, Over Three Days

    February 29

    1. Limbaugh Reads CNS Post: “A Georgetown Co-Ed Told Rep. Nancy Pelosi's Hearing That The Women In Her Law School Program Are Having So Much Sex That They're Going Broke.” On his radio show, Limbaugh read from a CNSNews.com blog post that attacked Fluke, saying, " “A Georgetown co-ed told Rep. Nancy Pelosi's hearing that the women in her law school program are having so much sex that they're going broke, so you and I should pay for their birth control. ... Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke said that it's too expensive to have sex in law school without mandated insurance coverage.' ” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 2/29/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    2. Limbaugh: “Can You Imagine If You're Her Parents”? Fluke Testified “She's Having So Much Sex She Can't Afford Her Own Birth Control Pills.” Also on the February 29 show, Limbaugh said: “Can you imagine if you're her parents how proud of Sandra Fluke you would be? Your daughter goes up to a congressional hearing conducted by the Botox-filled Nancy Pelosi and testifies she's having so much sex she can't afford her own birth control pills and she agrees that Obama should provide them, or the Pope.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 2/29/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    3. Limbaugh Calls Fluke A “Slut” And “A Prostitute.” Later on the broadcast, Limbaugh said, “What does it say about the college co-ed Susan Fluke [sic], who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid for sex? What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 2/29/12, via Media Matters]

    4. Limbaugh: “She Wants To Be Paid To Have Sex.” After calling Fluke a “slut,” Limbaugh continued: “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. What does that make us? We're the pimps. (interruption) The johns? We would be the johns? No! We're not the johns. (interruption) Yeah, that's right. Pimp's not the right word.”

    5. Limbaugh: Fluke Is “Round-Heeled.” Limbaugh modified his comment about Fluke being a “slut”: “Okay, so she's not a slut. She's 'round heeled.' I take it back.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 2/29/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    6. Limbaugh: “I Guess Now We Know Why Bill Clinton Went To Georgetown. ... Sandra Fluke. So Much Sex Going On, They Can't Afford Birth Control Pills.” Later on the broadcast, Limbaugh said, “Well, I guess now we know why Bill Clinton went to Georgetown and why Hillary went to Wellesley. Well, all the sex going on at Georgetown. Sandra Fluke. So much sex going on, they can't afford birth control pills. She said that to Nancy Pelosi yesterday.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 2/29/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    March 1

    7. Limbaugh: Yesterday, I Said Fluke “Went Before A Congressional Committee And Said She's Having So Much Sex, She's Going Broke Buying Contraceptives.” On the March 1 broadcast of his show, Rush Limbaugh said, “The left has been thrown into an outright conniption fit. ... The reaction that they are having to what I said yesterday about Susan Fluke -- or Sandra Fluke, whatever her name is -- the Georgetown student who went before a congressional committee and said she's having so much sex, she's going broke buying contraceptives and wants us to buy them.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    8. Limbaugh: You'd Call Someone “Who Wants Us To Pay For Her To Have Sex” A “Slut Or Prostitute.” Limbaugh then said, “I said, 'Well, what you call someone who wants us to pay for her to have sex? What would you call that woman? You'd call 'em as I -- slut or prostitute or what-- that has sent them into orbit.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    9. Limbaugh: “I'll Happily Buy [Fluke] All The Aspirin She Wants.” Limbaugh went on to say: “I'll happily buy her all the aspirin she wants. ... We would happily buy Sandra Fluke all the aspirin she wants. What could that possibly cost? ... I'm offering a compromise today. I will buy all of the women at Georgetown University as much aspirin to put between their knees as they want.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    10. Limbaugh Again Reads CNS Article Claiming Fluke Told Hearing “That The Women In Her Law School Program Are Having So Much Sex That They're Going Broke.” Also on the March 1 show, Limbaugh again read the CNS post attacking Fluke, saying, “Now, here's the story that started all this. It's by a guy named Craig Bannister at Cybercast News Service [CNS]: 'A Georgetown co-ed told Representative Nancy Pelosi's hearing that the women in her law school program are having so much sex -- so much sex -- that they're going broke, so you and I should pay for their birth control. ... Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke said that it's too expensive to have sex in law school without mandated insurance coverage.' ” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    11. Limbaugh: Fluke “Wants Us To Buy Her Sex. She Wants Us To Pay For Her Sex, And She Went To A Congressional Committee To Close The Sale.” Limbaugh also said on the March 1 broadcast: " 'Without insurance coverage, contraception, as you know, can cost a woman over $3,000 during law school.' That's a thousand dollars a year for sex that she wants us to pay for it. Now, what does that make her? She wants us to buy her sex. She wants us to pay for her sex, and she went to a congressional committee to close the sale." [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    12. Limbaugh Mocks Fluke With Baby Voice, Pretending To Cry: “I'm Going Broke Having Sex. ... It's Not Fair.” Limbaugh went on to mock Fluke with an affected baby voice, saying, “A woman who goes to law school at Georgetown goes to a congressional hearing where Pelosi is, 'I'm going broke having sex. I need government to provide me condoms and contraception. It's not fair.' ” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    13. Limbaugh: “We Are Paying [Fluke] For Having Sex.” Limbaugh then said, “So [this is a] law student at a congressional committee asking for us to pay for the things that make it possible for her to have sex. Therefore, we are paying her to have sex. Therefore, we are paying her for having sex. We are getting screwed, even though we don't meet her personally. What would you call this?” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    14. Limbaugh: “Ms. Fluke, Have You Ever Heard Of Not Having Sex?” Later on the March 1 broadcast of his show, Limbaugh played clips of Fluke's testimony at the congressional hearing. He then said: “Ms. Fluke, have you ever heard of not having sex? Have you ever heard of not having sex so often? What next that you can't afford are you gonna go to Pelosi and say we need to buy? Mink? A Volt? A Prius?” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    15. Limbaugh Demands That “Fluke And The Rest Of You Feminazis” Who Are Calling For Contraception Coverage Post Sex “Videos Online So We Can All Watch.” Later on the March 1 broadcast, Limbaugh said, “So, Ms. Fluke and the rest of you feminazis, here's the deal. If we are going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex, we want something for it. And I'll tell you what it is. We want you to post the videos online so we can all watch.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    16. Limbaugh Again Tells Fluke That He Wants “The Videos Of All This Sex Posted Online So We Can See What We Are Getting For Our Money.” Later, Limbaugh said, “So, if we're gonna sit here, and if we're gonna have a part in this, then we want something in return, Ms. Fluke: And that would be the videos of all this sex posted online so we can see what we are getting for our money.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    17. Limbaugh Asks Fluke: “Who Bought Your Condoms In Junior High? Who Bought Your Condoms In The Sixth Grade?” Limbaugh went on to say, “I want to know, who bought -- Ms. Fluke, who bought your condoms in junior high? Who bought your condoms in the sixth grade, or your contraception? Who bought your contraceptive pills in high school? Wouldn't you be just as likely to go broke in high school and junior high as you would be in college?” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    18. Limbaugh: “A Woman Goes Up To A Congressional Committee And Says, 'I'm Having Sex So Damn Much, I'm Going Broke.' ” Later on the show, Limbaugh played a clip on Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) condemning the attacks on Fluke. Limbaugh then said: “A woman goes up to congressional committee and says: I'm having sex so damn much, I'm going broke. What the heck is going on here?” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    19. Limbaugh: “I'm Not Questioning [Fluke's] Virtue. I Know What Her Virtue Is. She's Having So Much Sex That She's Going Broke.” Limbaugh went on to say that an MSNBC anchor had said that “Limbaugh yesterday squarely aimed his words at Sandra Fluke questioning her virtue.” Limbaugh then said: “I'm not questioning her virtue. I know what her virtue is. She's having so much sex that she's going broke! There's no question about her virtue.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    20. Limbaugh Mocks The Idea That Fluke Is “Courageous” Because She's “Having So Much Sex She's Going Broke.” Later on the show, Limbaugh played a clip of congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee condemning Limbaugh's attacks on Fluke and calling Fluke “a courageous young woman.” Limbaugh then said, “Stop the tape. Courageous. Recue that to the top. Courageous, having so much sex she's going broke at Georgetown Law. (laughing) Gosh, I love this.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    21. Limbaugh: “Here's A Woman Exercising No Self-Control ... She Wants To Have Repeated, Never-Ending, As-Often-As-She-Wants-It Sex.” Limbaugh later said of Fluke, “Here's a woman exercising no self-control. The fact that she wants to have repeated, never-ending, as-often-as-she-wants-it sex -- given. No question about that.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    22. Limbaugh: Fluke Is “Having So Much Sex, It's Amazing She Can Still Walk.” Later during the show, Limbaugh said, “Did you notice in that sound bite was Sheila Jackson Lee or Maria Cantwell or one of them, talked about the strength that Sandra Fluke had to go before Congress -- which is amazing. She's having so much sex, it's amazing she can still walk, but she made it up there.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    23. Limbaugh: "[Fluke's] Up At Congress Asking For Thousands Of Dollars in Birth Control Pills. ... This Law School, They Need To Establish" A “Wilt Chamberlain Scholarship, Exclusively For Women.” Limbaugh later said: “Georgetown Law costs $45,000 per year, $20,000 for room and board, sex not included. So tuition and room and board is 60 grand a year, and this woman's up at Congress asking for thousands of dollars for birth control pills. This place -- I'm going to tell you what -- this college, this law school, they need to establish a new scholarship, the Wilt Chamberlain Scholarship, exclusively for women.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    24. Limbaugh: “This Is More Than Just One Woman Wanting Us To Pay For Her To Have Sex All The Time.” Also on the March 1 show, Limbaugh said, “The reason I'm spending a little bit of time on this is because it's about much more than just this one woman wanting us to pay for her to have sex all the time.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    25. Limbaugh: The Left Is “Build[ing] Their Case For Government-Run Health Care Around A Female Law Student ... [Who] Wants The Rest Of Us To Pay For Her Sex.” Limbaugh went on to say, "[The left has] decided to build their case for government-run health care around a female law student attending an expensive law school, who not only wants a scholarship -- the Wilt Chamberlain Scholarship -- to pay her tuition, she wants the rest of us to pay for her sex." [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    26. Limbaugh: “Ms. Fluke Is Asking To Be Exempted From Personal Responsibility. She Wants All The Sex That She Wants All The Time Paid For By The Rest Of Us.” Later on the show, Limbaugh said, "[U]p 'til now, individuals paid for that themselves, because what really is going on here is the end of personal responsibility. Ms. Fluke is asking to be exempted from personal responsibility. She wants all the sex that she wants all the time paid for by the rest of us. She wants no consequences for it, or to it. She wants a penalty-free, moral-free life where everybody else pays for the mistakes that she makes as a consequence of the way she lives her life." [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    27. Limbaugh: “Here This Babe Goes Before Congress And Wants Thousands Of Dollars To Pay For Her Sex.” Later during the show, Limbaugh said, “Here this babe goes before Congress and wants thousands of dollars to pay for her sex. Well, that's what it is. If she wants her contraception to be provided, that means she wants to have sex without consequences, with no worries, no responsibility.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    28. Limbaugh: “If This Woman Wants To Have Sex Ten Times A Day For Three Years, Fine And Dandy.” While answering a caller's questions about contraception and sexually transmitted infections, Limbaugh said: “If this woman wants to have sex ten times a day for three years, fine and dandy. If she wants no consequences, let her take the steps necessary. I shouldn't have to be, and nobody else should have to be, responsible for her and guarantee her a life of no responsibility or no consequence whatsoever.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    29. Limbaugh On Fluke: “You Want To Have All The Sex You Want All Day Long, No Consequences, No Responsibility For Your Behavior.” Later on the show, Limbaugh said, “Here we have a woman, Sandra Fluke materialized out of nowhere, it seems, to testify before a committee to talk about the Republicans denying women their contraceptives. ... You want to have all the sex you want all day long, no consequences, no responsibility for your behavior, why go to a Catholic college?” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    30. Limbaugh: Fluke “Is Happily Presenting Herself As An Immoral, Baseless, No-Purpose-To-Her-Life Woman. She Wants All The Sex In The World ... All The Time.” Limbaugh later said about Fluke: "[T]he Democrats are putting on parade a woman who is happily presenting herself as an immoral, baseless, no-purpose-to-her-life woman. She wants all the sex in the world, whenever she wants it, all the time. No consequences. No responsibility for her behavior." [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via Media Matters]

    31. Limbaugh Again Lectures Fluke: “Have You Ever Heard Of Aspirin? Have You Ever Heard Of Saying No?” Limbaugh later said, addressing Fluke, “Georgetown's a pretty expensive school. I don't buy your argument that's it unaffordable. Have you ever heard of the term 'budget'? Have you ever heard of aspirin? Have you ever heard of saying 'no'? You can't afford it, you don't buy it. You can't afford it, you don't do it.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    32. Limbaugh: “The Woman Wants Unlimited, No-Responsibility, No-Consequences Sex, And She Wants It With Contraceptives Paid For By Us.” After the CNN clip was aired, Limbaugh went on to say: “They heard every word I said and they are dumbfounded and they are reeling. ... You don't need birth control if you're not having sex. The woman wants unlimited, no-responsibility, no-consequences sex, and she wants it with contraceptives paid for by us.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    33. Limbaugh Says “I Didn't Know Any Flukes” When I Was In School, Then Corrects Himself: “Every School Had A Couple Of These. Now They're Everywhere.” After discussing the CNN clip, Limbaugh said, appearing to be speaking to someone off set, “Were these kinds of women around when I was in school?” Limbaugh then said: “Oh, oh, no, no, no. I didn't know any Flukes. No. Well, wait. I take it back. Yes. Every school had a couple of 'em. You know, for every 500 students, every school had a couple of these. Now they're everywhere. That's what you're getting at, right? And the two at your school, I mean even with birth control, you wouldn't go there. That's the big difference. I mean there were women that you might think you could get a disease, but you didn't care.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/1/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    March 2

    34. Limbaugh Claims Fluke Had “It Reported About Her That She's Having So Much Sex, She Can't Afford Her Birth Control Pills Anymore.” While responding to a caller during the March 2 edition of his show, Limbaugh said, “I think one of the best ways to illustrate what's happening here is, we've got a news story, a woman, a law school student at Georgetown, has it reported about her that she's having so much sex, she can't afford her birth control pills anymore.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    35. Limbaugh Again Says Fluke “Is Having So Much Sex She Can't Pay For It.” Later during his response to the caller, Limbaugh said: “So Pelosi arranges her own press conference for the woman. And the woman makes it clear, her name is Sandra Fluke, she's having so much sex she can't pay for it, and we should.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    36. Limbaugh: “The Woman Comes Forth With This, Frankly, Hilarious Claim That She's Having So Much Sex ... She Can't Afford It.” Limbaugh later said, “So the woman comes forth with this, frankly, hilarious claim that she's having so much sex, and her buddies with her, that she can't afford it.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    37. Limbaugh: “Not One Person Says, Well, Did You Ever Think About Maybe Backing Off The Amount Of Sex That You Have?” Limbaugh then said, “And not one person says, well, did you ever think about maybe backing off the amount of sex that you have? Do you ever think maybe it's your responsibility for your own birth control, not everybody else's?” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    38. Limbaugh Again Says Fluke Is “A Student At Georgetown Law, Who Admits To Having So Much Sex That She Can't Afford It Anymore.” After learning that Obama had personally called Fluke, Limbaugh said sarcastically, “What a great guy. The president called her to make sure she's OK. What is she, 30 years old? Thirty years old, a student at Georgetown Law, who admits to have so much sex that she can't afford it anymore.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    39. Limbaugh Says He'd “Be Embarrassed” If His Daughter “Appear[ed] Before A Congressional Committee And Says She's Having So Much Sex She Can't Pay For It.” Reacting to the news that Obama had told Fluke her parents should be proud of her, Limbaugh said, “OK, I'm going to button my lip on that one.” He went on to say: “OK. Let me ask you a question. ... Your daughter appears before a congressional committee and says she's having so much sex, she can't pay for it and wants a new welfare program to pay for it. Would you be proud? I don't know -- I -- I'd be embarrassed.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    40. Limbaugh Again Claims That Fluke Said She Needs “Free Contraceptive, To Handle Her Sex Life -- And It's, By Her Own Admission, Quite Active.” While responding to a caller, Limabugh said: “Georgetown has had this policy for a long time. People that go there understand it before they enroll. The moment the activist, Ms. Fluke, asserts her right to free contraceptive, to handle her sex life -- and it's, by her own admission, quite active.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    41. Limbaugh Reads Blog Post By Conservative Georgetown Student That Claims Fluke “Ask[ed] For The Cost Of Her Sex Life To Be Subsidized By Other Students.” Also during the March 2 show, Limbaugh read from a blog post by Georgetown student Angela Morabito, titled “Sandra Fluke Does Not Speak for Me.” Limbaugh read: “Ms. Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown Law student ... jump[ed] up to talk about her sex life (with the [House] Minority Leader and with the liberal media) and ask for the cost of her sex life to be subsidized by other students at a Jesuit School?” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via RushLimbaugh.com]

    42. Limbaugh: “It Was Sandra Fluke Who Said That She Was Having So Much Sex, She Can't Afford It.” Later, Limbaugh claimed, “It was Sandra Fluke who said that she was having so much sex, she can't afford it.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    43. Limbaugh Again Claims That “By Her Own Admission ... Sandra Fluke Is Having So Much Sex That She Can't Afford It.” Limbaugh later repeated the claim, saying, “By her own admission, in her own words, Sandra Fluke is having so much sex that she can't afford it. She's going broke, I believe she said.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    44. Limbaugh: “Does She Have More Boyfriends? Ha! They're Lined Up Around The Block. They Would Have Been, In My Day.” Reacting to someone else in the studio, at one point, Limbaugh said: “Oh! Does she have more boyfriends? Ha! They're lined up around the block. They would have been, in my day.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    45. Limbaugh: “Maybe They're Not Having A Lot Of Sex, And Want To. But [Fluke Is] Saying That They Are Struggling Financially As A Result Of The Policy At Georgetown.” Also during the March 2 broadcast, Limbaugh said: "[B]y her own admission -- maybe they're not having a lot of sex, and want to. I don't know. But [Fluke is] saying that they are struggling financially as a result of the policy at Georgetown. Struggling financially. That's $1,000 a year for contraception that she can't afford and wants us to pay for it." [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    46. Limbaugh Again Claims He Can “Quote” Fluke Saying “She's Having Sex So Frequently That She Can't Afford All The Birth Control Pills She Needs.” Later, Limbaugh again said, “Use her own words. I'm not making any of it up. ... [Fluke is] struggling financially. Why? Just quote her. Her sex life is active. She's having sex so frequently that she can't afford all the birth control pills that she needs, is what she's saying.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 3/2/12, via Media Matters]

    Fluke Did Not Discuss Her Sex Life During Her Testimony

    Fluke's Testimony Concentrated On The Danger Of Medical Conditions Untreated By Contraception. When Fluke testified before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, much of her testimony was about women who take birth control for medical reasons, including the story of a friend who was taking birth control to prevent cysts from growing on her ovaries and ultimately had to have an ovary removed when she could no longer afford birth control pills. [C-SPAN.org, 2/23/12, via Media Matters]