MediaVideoMSNBCRachel Maddow

Rachel Maddow Responds To Cal Thomas Calling Her A Good Argument For Contraception (VIDEO)

Maddow Fights Back Against Fox News Pundit's Ugly Attack
|
Open Image Modal

Rachel Maddow used her Thursday show to respond to columnist and Fox News pundit Cal Thomas' comment that she should never have been born.

Speaking at a panel about the Obama administration's ruling on contraception, during the annual CPAC conference in Washington on Thursday, Thomas said that Maddow was the "best argument in favor of her parents using contraception." The comments drew a rebuke from Fox News host Greta Van Susteren, who said Thomas should personally and publicly apologize to Maddow. Gay-rights group GLAAD also started a "#gladmaddowwasborn" hashtag on Twitter.

The Obama ruling, which is being overhauled in the wake of a furious campaign from the right, had required most religious organizations (except for churches) to cover their employees' birth control. Though Republicans denounced the ruling as secular tyranny that violated the Constitution, Maddow noted that many of them had not always been so against the idea. She played a clip of Sen. Olympia Snowe arguing for exactly the ruling Obama instituted. She also pointed out that 28 states, and a great many Catholic universities and law schools, already cover contraception.

"Their rules are precisely what was proposed by Olympia Snowe and other Republicans in 2001, but yet they were being denounced as some sort of liberal abomination," Maddow said. "It is in fact such a liberal abomination, that anybody who disagrees with Republicans' position on this today, according to the folks at Fox News, should never have been born at all."

She then played the clip of Thomas talking about her.

"Mr. Fox News person speaking there, I am sorry that you feel that way about me that you wish I had never been born," she said. "Personally, I'm glad that you were born. Otherwise how would Republicans get the special Fox News bat signal that it's time to be outraged now, about what used to be Republicans' own policy idea?"

WATCH:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Rachel Maddow
Iowa Caucus Coverage(01 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show" (center), moderated coverage of the 2012 Iowa caucus with her fellow network hosts.
Comparing GOP Candidates From 2008 And 2012(02 of26)
Open Image Modal
Mocking Herman Cain(03 of26)
Open Image Modal
On Cover Of The Hollywood Reporter(04 of26)
Open Image Modal
Interviewing Joe Miller Supporter(05 of26)
Open Image Modal
At New Yorker Festival(06 of26)
Open Image Modal
On 'Meet The Press'(07 of26)
Open Image Modal
On 'Meet The Press'(08 of26)
Open Image Modal
At The State Department(09 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rachel Maddow attends a luncheon hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in honor of British Prime Minister David Cameron on March 14, 2012, at the State Department in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
At The State Department(10 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rachel Maddow arrives for a lunch in honor of Prime Minister David Cameron at the State Department on March 14, 2012, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
In Conversation With David Letterman(11 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rachel Maddow and David Letterman discuss the headlines of the day in Emens Auditorium at Ball State University, Letterman's alma mater, on Dec. 2, 2011, in Muncie, Ind. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
In Conversation With David Letterman(12 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rachel Maddow discusses the headlines of the day in Emens Auditorium at Ball State University, David Letterman's alma mater, on Dec. 2, 2011, in Muncie, Ind. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
In Conversation With David Letterman(13 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rachel Maddow and David Letterman discuss the headlines of the day in Emens Auditorium at Ball State University, Letterman's alma mater, on Dec. 2, 2011, in Muncie, Ind. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
2011 Summer TCA Tour(14 of26)
Open Image Modal
MSNBC President Phil Griffin and MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell (left to right) speak during the NBC Universal portion of the Television Critics Association's 2011 summer tour, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Aug. 2, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
2011 Summer TCA Press Tour(15 of26)
Open Image Modal
At The White House(16 of26)
Open Image Modal
MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow (left) and Keith Olbermann (second from left) talk with White House Communications Director Anita Dunn (second from right) and Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton (right) outside the White House on Oct. 19, 2009, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
At The White House(17 of26)
Open Image Modal
MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow (left) and Keith Olbermann (second from left) talk with White House Communications Director Anita Dunn (second from right) and Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton (right) outside the White House on Oct. 19, 2009, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Nancy Pelosi, Rachel Maddow(18 of26)
Open Image Modal
House Minority Leader Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. accompanied by MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, participates in a conversation moderated by Maddow, in Washington, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, to talk about her experiences and achievements over 25 years in Congress. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) (credit:AP)
NAACP-Holder(19 of26)
Open Image Modal
Jo Ann Wright, of Southfield, left, gets her photo taken with political commentator Rachel Maddow who was the recipient of the Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Award at the 57th annual NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner at Cobo Hall in Detroit Sunday May 6, 2012. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was the keynote speaker. (AP Photos/David Guralnick / The Detroit News) (credit:AP)
David Brooks, George Stephanopoulos, Rahm Emanuel, Rachel Maddow, Alex Castellanos(20 of26)
Open Image Modal
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, second from left, shares a stage with George Stephanopoulos, left, David Brooks, center, Rachel Maddow and Alex Castellanos, right, during a panel discussion, "2012: The Path to the Presidency", at the University of Chicago in Chicago on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (credit:AP)
Rachel Maddow(21 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rachel Maddow, host of "The Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC, shares a stage with pundits during a panel discussion, "2012: The Path to the Presidency", at the University of Chicago in Chicago on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (credit:AP)
Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell, Chris Matthews(22 of26)
Open Image Modal
MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow, left, Lawrence O'Donnell, center, and Chris Matthews take part in a panel discussion at the NBC Universal summer press tour, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (credit:AP)
Lawrence O'Donnell, Rachel Maddow(23 of26)
Open Image Modal
Lawrence O'Donnell, right, host of the MSNBC show "The Last Word," answers a question as Rachel Maddow, host of "The Rachel Maddow Show," look on at the NBC Universal summer press tour, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (credit:AP)
David Letterman In Conversation With Rachel Maddow(24 of26)
Open Image Modal
MUNCIE, IN - DECEMBER 02: Rachel Maddow and David Letterman (R) discuss the headlines of the day in Emens Auditorium at Ball State University, Letterman's alma mater, on December 2, 2011 in Muncie, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Letterman In Conversation With Rachel Maddow(25 of26)
Open Image Modal
MUNCIE, IN - DECEMBER 02: Rachel Maddow and David Letterman (R) discuss the headlines of the day in Emens Auditorium at Ball State University, Letterman's alma mater, on December 2, 2011 in Muncie, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Alaska's Three Senate Candidates Debate In Anchorage(26 of26)
Open Image Modal
ANCHORAGE - OCTOBER 26: Television and radio personality Rachel Maddow (R) speaks with supporters of Republican candidate Joe Miller prior to his debate with write-in candidate Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Democratic candidate Scott McAdams hosted by The Alaska World Affairs Council and Rotary Clubs of Anchorage at the Dena'ina Convention Center October 26, 2010 in Anchorage, Alaska. Voters will go to the polls on November 2, 2010. (Photo by Clark James Mishler/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip