GOP's 'female problem'

How did a debate about religious freedom and health care devolve into a bizarre discussion about why and whether (and what sort of) women need access to contraception in the first place?

In an effort to explain away Thursday's mind-boggling gaffes, some Republicans are claiming they are victims of an elaborate scheme to discredit them. That holds as much water as Rick Santorum backer Foster Friess' family planning advice.

Friess' on-air recollection about how in his day, contraceptive care was easy - women simply kept their knees together - is almost too wild to be offensive, even if he intended it (as he now says) as a joke. Almost. Friess was trying to downplay questions about Santorum's controversial positions on contraceptive freedom. Instead, he ignited a firestorm.

Women's groups have called his statements irresponsible, which they are, although I'd like to think even impressionable women of childbearing age would know better than to base medical decisions on the ramblings of some investment manager old enough to be their grandpa. (Just in case, ladies: No. Aspirin will not prevent conception.)

I'm just baffled the billionaire septuagenarian thought he could defend his guy, now polling neck and neck with Mitt Romney, by effectively calling half the U.S. adult population a bunch of whores.

Cut to Capitol Hill, where Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) apparently saw nothing weird about an all-male revue discussing a ruling that institutions such as hospitals and universities, regardless of religious affiliation, must include free birth control coverage in employee health plans.

To be fair, a couple representatives of the fairer sex had a chance to speak later in the afternoon.

But by that time, of course, the photo had gone viral: A lineup of five shlumpy, middle-aged men in dark suits talking about women's access to contraception.

And here we are.

They're calling it another culture war - over birth control. In 2012.

What began as a legitimate question - how to balance religious freedom with employees' access to medical care - has mutated into a battle of moralistic coots vs. women. Strike that - versus nearly everyone. Ask any half of a heterosexual couple: Family planning ain't just for females.

It's an unwinnable position - one any political operative would kill to place his opponent in.

Too bad Republicans have only their own tone-deafness to blame.

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