Paul Says He Prescribed Birth Control During Time as OB-GYN
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Jason Merritt/Getty Images(BURBANK, Calif.) — Ron Paul, during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Tuesday night, admitted that he prescribed birth control pills during his time as a practicing OB-GYN in Texas.
“I was also putting myself out of business, all this birth control,” said Paul adding, “They had less babies.”
The Texas congressman, who is credited with delivering 4,000 babies during his four-decade career, also said he wouldn’t ban the morning after pill, equating it to “surgical instruments,” which although might be used for certain things, shouldn’t be banned.
Paul made the comments after Leno asked the congressman if he ever prescribed birth control to patients — a contentious issue this campaign cycle and a practice opposed by his chief GOP rivals.
The question was inspired by Sandra Fluke, a law student vaulted into the national spotlight this month after Rush Limbaugh called her a “slut” and a “prostitute” after she testified for a House Committee in support of President Obama’s mandate that would require private health insurance to pay for women’s birth control medicine.
Leno continued, asking Paul if a woman should have the right to choose.
“Yeah, I think so she should, but does the infant have the right to choose?” said Paul whose position on contraception changes as the fetus develops.
“The baby at eight months and weighs eight pounds — should you, the mother have the right to abort?” said Paul. ”I have not been able to accept that.”
He went on to say that the abortion issue would be solved when people’s morality changes, not the laws.
The interview, which lasted most of the second half hour, also touched on some lighter topics, such as a rumored pact between he and his GOP rival Mitt Romney.
“It’s very secret, because he and I don’t know a whole lot about it,” said Paul to laugher.
Paul, who rejected Secret Service protection, calling it “welfare,” did say he would choose the code name “Bulldog” if he was ever granted protection.
The congressman, who is 76, also commented on his rigorous fitness routine, which includes walking and biking, sometimes twice a day when he’s off the campaign trail.
Leno contrasted a picture of an active Paul with a picture of a shirtless Rick Santorum lying on the beach in Puerto Rico.
“You should take him bike riding with you,” said Leno over laughter.
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