Updated 5:49 p.m. ET



Conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh has issued a statement apologizing for "insulting word choices" directed at a Georgetown University law student who testified to Congress in support of an Obama administration birth control rule.

The remark, in which Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke a "slut," sparked widespread controversy. Limbaugh's apology, which was posted on his website, is below:

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.

Our original post begins here:

Now President Obama has jumped into one of the longest-running feuds in American politics, between liberal Democrats and conservative talker Rush Limbaugh.

The White House disclosed Friday that Obama made a supportive call to a Georgetown law school student described as a "slut" by Limbaugh, while Democratic groups sent out fundraising solicitations spotlighting the talk show host's latest provocative comments.

Obama "wanted to express his disappointment that she has been the subject of inappropriate, personal attacks, and to thank her for exercising her rights as a citizen to speak out on an issue of public policy," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

The student, Sandra Fluke, had testified before Congress on behalf of a new Obama administration rule requiring health insurance coverage for birth control; some Republicans and other critics say Catholic organizations should not be required to provide birth control coverage because of religious objections.

Noting that Fluke had cited the cost of birth control pills during her testimony, Limbaugh said this week on his show: "She's having so much sex, she's going broke buying contraceptives and wants us to buy them. I said, 'Well, what would you call someone who wants us to pay for her to have sex? What would you call that woman? You'd call 'em a slut, a prostitute or whatever."

Yesterday, after news of Obama's phone call to Fluke, Limbaugh -- whose battles with Democrats go back to the Bill Clinton presidency -- was unapologetic.

"Obama just called Sandra Fluke to make sure she was all right?," Limbaugh said at one point. "Awwww. ... That is so compassionate! What a great guy."

Limbaugh said the "insult" is that "we're told that people who want to have sex without consequence, sex with no responsibility, and we have pay for it."

Fluke herself, appearing on MSNBC, said the president "encouraged me and supported me" and that her family should be proud. "That meant a lot because Rush Limbaugh had questioned whether or not my family would be proud of me," she added.

Fluke also said Limbaugh's comments reflect anti-woman views by some Republicans, a theme picked up by such groups as EMILY's List and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in fundraising solicitations. Similar pitches have been made in recent decades by Democrats who say the GOP has lurched too far to the right in order to placate conservatives like Limbaugh.

In a letter to donors, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., wrote that "Rush Limbaugh, the voice of the ultraconservative right, issued one of the most vile tirades against women I've ever heard."

At least two advertisers have pulled commercials from Limbaugh's radio program.

Some Republicans have distanced themselves from Limbaugh's latest rant, including presidential candidate Mitt Romney and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

A spokesman for Boehner's office said he "obviously believes the use of those words was inappropriate, as is trying to raise money off the situation."

Asked at the White House whether Democratic organizations should be raising money off of Limbaugh's comments about Fluke, Carney said: