Thomas called Maddow "the best argument in favor of her parents using contraception" during a panel at the annual CPAC conference in Washington on Thursday. He was immediately criticized for the comment, including from his Fox News colleague Greta Van Susteren, who called on him to apologize publicly and privately.
Maddow responded to Thomas' comments on her Thursday show. On Friday, she told her viewers that Thomas had called her the next morning and said he was sorry.
"He didn't mean it and he wished he hadn't said it," Maddow said. "I completely believe his apology. I completely accept his apology."
She also thanked Van Susteren for coming to her defense, calling it "really nice, particularly given that she works" at Fox News with Thomas.
Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC’s primetime hit, the critically acclaimed “The Rachel Maddow Show,” attends a luncheon hosted by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in honor of British Prime Minister David Cameron March 14, 2012 at the State Department in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)
Vice-President Biden Hosts Luncheon For UK PM David Cameron
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 14: Television host Rachel Maddow arrives for a lunch hosted in honor of Prime Minister David Cameron at the State Department on March 14, 2012 in Washington, DC. Cameron is on an official visit to Washington, where President Obama will host him at a State Dinner tonight. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
David Letterman In Conversation With Rachel Maddow
MUNCIE, IN - DECEMBER 02: Rachel Maddow and David Letterman discuss the headlines of the day in Emens Auditorium at Ball State University, David Letterman's alma mater, on December 2, 2011 in Muncie, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/Getty Images)
David Letterman In Conversation With Rachel Maddow
MUNCIE, IN - DECEMBER 02: Rachel Maddow discusses the headlines of the day in Emens Auditorium at Ball State University, David Letterman's alma mater, on December 2, 2011 in Muncie, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/Getty Images)
David Letterman In Conversation With Rachel Maddow
MUNCIE, IN - DECEMBER 02: Rachel Maddow and David Letterman 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)
2011 Summer TCA Tour - Day 7
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 02: (L-R) President of MSNBC Phil Griffin, host of 'The Rachel Maddow Show' Rachel Maddow and host of 'The Last Word' Lawrence O' Donnell speak during the 'MSNBC' panel during the NBC Universal portion of the 2011 Summer TCA Tour held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 2, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
White House Communications Director Anita Dunn Speaks With Olberman And Maddow
WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow (L) and Keith Olberman (2L) talk with White House Communications Director Anita Dunn (2R) and Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton (R) on the Circle Drive on the north side of the White House October 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. Dunn accepted the position of communications director on an interim basis only and plans to leave the White House at the end of the year, according to the Washington Post. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
White House Communications Director Anita Dunn Speaks With Olberman And Maddow
WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow (L) and Keith Olberman (2L) talk with White House Communications Director Anita Dunn (2R) and Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton (R) on the Circle Drive on the north side of the White House October 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. Dunn accepted the position of communications director on an interim basis only and plans to leave the White House at the end of the year, according to the Washington Post. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Rachel Maddow revealed on her Friday show that columnist and Fox News pundit Cal Thomas had personally apologized to her after saying that she was a good argument for contraception.
Thomas called M...
Rachel Maddow revealed on her Friday show that columnist and Fox News pundit Cal Thomas had personally apologized to her after saying that she was a good argument for contraception.
Thomas called M...
Rachel Maddow revealed on her Friday show that columnist and Fox News pundit Cal Thomas had personally apologized to her after saying that she was a good argument for contraception.
Thomas called M...
Rachel Maddow revealed on her Friday show that columnist and Fox News pundit Cal Thomas had personally apologized to her after saying that she was a good argument for contraception.
Thomas called M...
By deliberately saying an incendiary thing and then apologizing, the offending remark gets repeated several times over the course of days, reiterating the slur. Kudos to Rachel on her adroit handling of this matter.
proggirl: By deliberately saying an incendiary thing and then apologizing, the
All this talk of Rachel has me reaching for the mouse to fire up last night's podcast. I'm in quite the mood for her astute analysis and genial charm right now. :)
sLUCIDITy: All this talk of Rachel has me reaching for the
Sure. The GOP candidate that sent out Watermelon flyers with President Obama was also sorry. What is it about these idiots that make them say these things.
WESTFIELD: Sure. The GOP candidate that sent out Watermelon flyers with
I heard the comment when Maddow showed the clip on her show. She showed great class when she said "I am sorry you feel that way, but I glad I was born" Thomas crossed the line, maybe he is too old for this line of work
Huzie: I heard the comment when Maddow showed the clip on
I really don't understand why so many on the right loathe Maddow so. I understand that she has a different point of view than them, but why the hate? Rachel is ever so polite and respectful, yet relatively forceful in her views. In my opinion this is exactly what all the pundits should aspire to.
sLUCIDITy: I really don't understand why so many on the right
Because it's the Karl Rove tactic: when you can't defend the issue, attack the messenger. Taking down Dan Rather's career in 2004 completely changed the subject away from George W. Bush's disgraceful military service record. Mission Accomplished.
Tom_Sito: Because it's the Karl Rove tactic: when you can't defend
This is equivalent to making a bold-faced lie that makes front page headlines, and then issuing a belated apology which gets buried somewhere in the middle of the paper where nobody can find it. Rachel may have the grace to accept it, but it should never have been made in the first place. And I don't have to forgive and forget.
doctorzap: This is equivalent to making a bold-faced lie that makes
He did exactly what pundits on the right do. They drag people through the mud, make sure the message gets out then apologizes. Accepting that apology should have come with a price. She should have insisted he come on her show and sliced him like a loaf of bread. But no, there’s professional courtesy at work here. How does she differ from Greta?
RRoadrunner: He did exactly what pundits on the right do. They
Cal Thomas is a spoon. Let everyone learn a lesson from this, never bring a spoon to a knife fight. He was so over matched I almost feel sorry for him.
dfranz: Cal Thomas is a spoon. Let everyone learn a lesson
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First Posted: 02/11/2012 11:36 am Updated: 02/11/2012 11:47 am