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In an about-face, conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh said Saturday that he was sorry for lambasting as a "prostitute" a Georgetown University law student who spoke publicly in favor of the Obama administration's policy on contraception coverage.

Limbaugh published the apology on his website, a day after President Barack Obama telephoned the student, Sandra Fluke, to say he stood by her in the face of personal attacks on right-wing radio. The apology came as several advertisers said they were leaving the program.

"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," he wrote. He then reiterated his opposition to the Obama administration policy, which requires health insurance plans to cover contraceptives for women.

On the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday editions of his show, Limbaugh attacked Fluke, alleging she was sexually promiscuous, politically motivated and "an anti-Catholic plant."

Fluke had testified to congressional Democrats in support of their national health care policy that would compel her college to offer health plans that cover her birth control.

"My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir," Limbaugh said on his website. "I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."

Attempts to reach

Fluke had been invited to testify to a House committee about her school's health care plan, which does not include contraception. Republican lawmakers barred her from testifying during that hearing, but Democrats invited her back and she spoke to the Democratic lawmakers at an unofficial session.

The issue has been debated in the presidential race, with Republican candidates in particular criticizing the Obama plan's requirements for employers such as Catholic hospitals. Democrats - and many Republican leaders, too - have suggested the issue could energize women to vote for Obama and other Democrats in November.

Limbaugh was not swayed by Fluke's statements before the House panel.

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Limbaugh apologizes for string of 'insulting word choices'