Rush: My Apology Heartfelt and Sincere

Conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh began his radio program Monday with a simple request: “Give me thirty minutes here.”

“I want to explain why I apologized to Sandra Fluke in the statement that was released on Saturday,” Limbaugh said. “The apology was heartfelt. The apology was sincere.”

Despite theories from both parties that his apology on Saturday was insincere and just an attempt to save himself and his show, according to Limbaugh, those theories have no truth behind them.

“It was not about anything else. No ulterior motive, no speaking in code. No double entendre or intention. Pure, simple, heartfelt.

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“I’ve read all the theories from all sides and, frankly, they are all wrong,” he said. “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.”

The talk-show host did admit to one mistake, however, and that was that he stooped to the level of his liberal opposition who, he says, “will do and say anything to push their agenda.”

“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’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.”

Earlier Monday, Sen. John McCain blasted Limbaugh for his comments.

While on the CBS program “This Morning,” McCain said that it is "totally unacceptable" for the talk-show host to call a law student a "slut” during such a heated political climate over the birth control mandate issue.

Since his initial comments last week, Limbaugh has received heavy criticism from both sides and lost several advertisers.