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Santorum's Billionaire Backer Claims "Aspirin Contraception" Is A Joke
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 17, 2012
Modified Feb 17, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 17, 2012
Modified Feb 17, 2012
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Foster Friess, who is bankrolling the biggest PAC supporting Rick "Google Me" Santorum,
made waves yesterday when he told journalist Andrea Mitchell that he was tired of the focus on free birth control when the economy is not where it should be: "On this contraceptive thing, my Gosh it’s such [sic] inexpensive. You know, back in my days, they used Bayer aspirin for contraception. The gals put it between their knees, and it wasn’t that costly." Hours later, on Lawrence O'Donnell's MSNBC program, Friess tried to explain his position: "Obviously a lot of people who are younger than 71 didn’t get the context of that joke."
Friess said, "I love the expression. It’s not so much what people say, it’s what people hear, and obviously a lot of people who are younger than 71 didn’t get the context of that joke... ;Back in my days, they didn’t have the birth control pill, so to suggest that Bayer Aspirin could be a birth control was considered pretty ridiculous and quite funny. So I think that was the gist of that story, but what’s been nice, it gives an opportunity to really look at what this contraceptive issue is all about." He explained he didn't want to make religious organizations fund birth control, "I have been blessed by contraceptives. It’s an important thing for many women. it’s allowed them to advance their careers and make their own choices. That’s what’s special about America. People can choose. That’s what’s so annoying about this idea that President Obama forcing people to do something that is against their religious beliefs and that’s what the issue’s about, where Rick Santorum, as I said earlier, you know what his position is, but yet he’s never had any attempts, in fact, has even funded contraceptives to fight aids in Africa."
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Well, actually, Santorum has previously said, "I think it's harmful to our society to have a society that says that sex outside of marriage is something that should be encouraged or tolerated, particularly among the young and it has I think we've seen very, very harmful long-term consequences to the society. Birth control to me enables that and I don't think it's a healthy thing for our country." So the Republican presidential candidate has taken to disavowing Friess' comments.
Friess has posted an apology on his blog: "After listening to the segment tonight, I can understand how I confused people with the way I worded the joke and their taking offense is very understandable. To all those who took my joke as modern day approach I deeply apologize and seek your forgiveness. My wife constantly tells me I need new material—she understood the joke but didn’t like it anyway—so I will keep that old one in the past where it belongs."
Tagged
birth control
contraception
foster friess
rick santorum
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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