The leader of the Republican party has spoken. The round of apologies can’t be far behind. From CNN:

Conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh is taking aim at Republican leaders for rushing to demand Texas Rep. Joe Barton retract his controversial apology to BP CEO Tony Hayward during last week’s congressional hearing.

On his radio show Monday, Limbaugh suggested the GOP leadership likely agrees with Barton’s sentiments, but are driven by recent national polls which suggest the majority of Americans support President Barack Obama’s push for BP to set aside $20 billion for future liability claims.

“It was a shakedown pure and simple,” said Limbaugh, echoing the words for which Barton later apologized. “And somebody had the audacity to call it what it was and now everybody’s running for the hills.”