Do You Know Any Woman Who Doesn't Use Birth Control? Dan Rather Asks... Rachel Maddow

March 29th, 2012 6:32 PM

At least one comes to mind, Dan. Guess who?

Turns out that oft-flogged figure from liberals of 98 percent of American women using contraception is too low, at least according to former CBS News anchor Dan Rather, who's now working at something or someplace called HDNet. (video clip after page break)

Appearing on last night's Rachel Maddow show, Rather claimed that use of birth control is virtually universal. Whether this conclusion  is based on Rather's reporting, first-hand knowledge or some combination thereof was left unstated. Fans of unintentional humor who were watching weren't disappointed --

RATHER: I still can't believe that here, in the second decade of the 21st century, in a presidential campaign, that we're talking about contraception. Do you know any woman, of any race, creed, color or religion, who doesn't use some form of birth control?

Uh, aside from those who wear sensible shoes ...?

The openly gay Maddow tactfully let Rather's question pass unanswered.

My curiosity piqued by Rather's remarks, I asked myself -- how many women do I know who don't use birth control, or do for that matter? The answer -- one -- my wife of nearly 20 years, the mother of our two children. And in the interests of protecting her privacy and not being consigned to sleepless nights on the couch, that is the extent of my disclosure about this.