STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island's female elected officials from both sides of the aisle are demanding that conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh "apologize to all women" for calling a Georgetown University Law student a "slut" on his program.

Limbaugh caused a national firestorm when he used the word after Sandra Fluke testified before Congress about the need for contraceptive coverage.

"What does it say about the college coed ... who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex?" Limbaugh said on Wednesday. "It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex."

He went on to suggest that Ms. Fluke distribute sex tapes of herself.

"If we are going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex, we want something for it," he said. "We want you post the videos online so we can all watch."

The remarks brought swift, bi-partisan condemnation in Washington, with President Barack Obama, who called Ms. Fluke personally, and GOP House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), slamming Limbaugh.

The Island's elected women -- state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn), Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) and City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) -- called Limbaugh's remarks "disgusting" and said they were made all the worse because March is Women's History Month.

"It does not matter if your hero is Eleanor Roosevelt or Margaret Thatcher," said Ms. Savino, "this is about treating women with dignity and respect. If Mr. Limbaugh cannot find it in his conscience to apologize, his fans and advertisers should demand that he does."

Calls for Limbaugh's sponsors to pull their ads from his radio talk show rocketed through cyberspace, and at least two companies, bedding retailers Sleep Train and Sleep Number, said on their Twitter accounts that they were complying with the demands.

Ms. Malliotakis said Limbaugh's comments were "outrageous and offensive and have no place in civil discourse."

"You can express your opinions on government-mandated contraception without demeaning an entire gender," she said. "While I may disagree with Ms. Fluke on some aspects of this issue, I am in complete agreement with those calling on Mr. Limbaugh to apologize to all women for his demeaning comments."

Ms. Fluke was given a chance to talk to Congress on Feb. 23.

The previous week, a Republican-controlled House committee had rejected Democrats' request that she testify on the Obama administration's policy requiring that employees of religion-affiliated institutions have access to health insurance that covers birth control.

Ms. Fluke said that Georgetown, a Jesuit institution, does not provide contraception coverage in its student health plan and that contraception can cost a woman more than $3,000 during law school.

Ms. Rose called Limbaugh's remarks "despicable and degrading" and said they "fuel the flames of negative behaviors against women."

Said Ms. Rose, "By using such pejorative terms he perpetuates dangerous stereotypes and denigrates all women who are concerned about their reproductive health."

But Limbaugh picked up support from Lorraine Scanni, a co-founder of the Staten Island Tea Party.

"I would like to say that as an American woman, what really offends me is the transparent attempt by Democrats to make this a women's health issue, when in reality it is about the First Amendment and religious freedom," she said.

She called Limbaugh "a provocateur and an entertainer who seeks to provoke reaction and discussion, and in this he obviously succeeded."

Said Ms. Scanni, "As a taxpayer I find it more offensive that I would have to pay for another person's contraception."

Obama considers Limbaugh's remarks "reprehensible," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. He said the president called Ms. Fluke to "express his disappointment that she has been the subject of inappropriate personal attacks" and to thank her for speaking out on an issue of public policy.

Boehner also slammed Limbaugh.

"The Speaker obviously believes the use of those words was inappropriate, as is trying to raise money off the situation," said Boehner aide Michael Steel.

Yesterday, aware of the firestorm he had ignited, Limbaugh was unapologetic.

"I think this is hilarious. Absolutely hilarious" he said on his show. "The left has been thrown into an outright conniption fit!"

Today, still defiant, Limbaugh scoffed at the concept of a conservative "war on women."

"Amazingly, when there is the slightest bit of opposition to this new welfare entitlement being created, then all of a sudden we hate women! We want 'em barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen," he said. "And now, at the end of this week, I am the person that the women of America are to fear the most."

Ms. Fluke issued a statement expressing gratitude for the support she's received and resolve to continue speaking out.

"No woman deserves to be disrespected in this manner. This language is an attack on all women, and has been used throughout history to silence our voices," she said.

(Associated Press material was used in this report.)