“I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot’…” – Ann Coulter, speaking at the 34th annual Conservative Political Action Conference
Ultra-conservative author and political pundit Ann Coulter is under fire once again, this time for referring to Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards as a “faggot.” In front of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last Friday, she concluded her speech with some thoughts on leading Democratic candidates, finishing with the above statement. Though the comment was reportedly met with applause by the audience, it quickly drew condemnation from leading Democratic and Republican figures as well as from gay rights groups. The Conference was attended by most of the Republican contenders for the Presidency, including Rudy Giuliani (NY) and Mitt Romney (MA), and served as a forum for them to appeal to the GOP’s conservative base (“Coulter under fire for anti-gay slur”). The Edwards campaign called Coulter’s remarks “un-American and indefensible,” and so far Giuliani, Romney, and Sen. John McCain (AZ) have publicly distanced themselves from her comment.
Coulter is the author of such books as High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Case Against Bill Clinton and Godless: The Church of Liberalism. These and her other three publications have all been New York Times bestsellers. She is also a syndicated columnist and frequent guest on conservative television and radio programming.
With remarks like this, does Ann Coulter help or hurt the cause of mainstream American conservatism? Are reactionaries like her the natural result of an overly “politically corrected” culture? Do you find what she said offensive, and if so, would you expect your favored candidate to denounce her remarks if they attended the CPAC?
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Comments: 25
How is that we are so shocked by her comment, which by the way was understood by the listeners at CPAC and recieved laughter from a good part of the crowd, but no one is worried about Bill MAher and his statement that we would be better off if Cheney had died in the assassination attempt in Afghanistan. THAT is a truly shocking comment but no one is calling him on it.
People are free to voice the opinion that she may be hurting "the cause" more than helping it, but I never thought of her as that influential, or as "high profile" as the political press gives her credit for being. I could be wrong, but I don't think she makes that big an impression with stupid, off the cuff remarks like these. It's part of her personality to attack, I guess, and she doesn't mind taking cheap shots, apparently. These were really stupid, and sophmoric, comments.
She attracts all the young knuckleheads.
The harm she does is perhaps with older "undefined minds;" undecided voters, independents, and such. I have no idea what her effect has been on this group, but I could see her turning some of them off to the GOP, and conservatives, as well.
I suppose Ms. Coulter has been an effective mouthpiece for some demographics, and a negative mouthpiece in other demographics. The question now is: which demographic is bigger, and what percentage of these people will factor Ms. Coulter into their political identification? It's more than I can figure out, so I rate it as a "high spike" in the political background noise.
She cheapened herself, does that mean John Edwards with his "assistants" cheapened himself, does that mean Gore has cheapened himself with his screaming and almost having a stroke on stage, Did Hillary cheapen herself by her terrible southern accent she had over the weekend, and What about Bill Maher who wished the VP was dead so that there "would not be as many American deaths"
Finally, I have to agree with Nanci in the fact that she, saying what she did to a few thousand people gets more play than Maher who had millions watching. Where is the true morals of America. Anne does what others are not willing to say or do...Slap the liberals in the face with their own style thinking and talking, so yes the younger generation"note here"they are our future leaders and decision makersdoes understand her, but some older people understand where she is coming from and what she is doing.
If Anne Coulter was on gather.com she would be the "Point Ho" that all other Point Hos would want to be. She is a skank whose sole purpose is create controversy to sell her books, sell tickets to her speaking engagements, and get her face in print.
Are there people like her on all sides? Absolutely. Are any as skanky as Anne? Not without a lot more practice.
Namaste, Wayne
Okay, you can try to excuse her by listing every liberal who has been guilty of similar lapses, but hey, that won't do it. When you were in fourth grade and sent to the principal's office for leaving a tack on your teacher's chair, did you tell him about the other kids who did it too? I'm not going to defend some of the stupid things that Michael Moore has said. Those statements are off the point, we are talking about an idiotic thing that came out of Ann Coulter's mouth. And the problem is that it is far from the first thing. Do we recall the rant about the 9/11 widows, accusing them of enjoying the deaths of their husbands? Do we recall the bit about Senator Joe McCarthy being a great american who did much to combat the red menace?
The only possible response to this kind of crap is to tune out the voice that produces it. She needs to be ignored, not considered amusing.
Why are people expected to have intimate knowledge of celebrity antics? Don't we all have better things to do?
Apparently not.
Can you say 'has been'?.. Only the really die hard fans will remain here shortly. Unfortunately, there will always be a market for hate and lies. I'm happy to say, though, I think it's shrinking.
And Ann Coulter isn't just an entertainer, she's the product of in-depth, pre-planned conservative education. In other words, a well-trained parrot!
I'm glad liberals don't have the education network set up that the conservatives do since it seems to only be able to turn out obnoxious barbie dolls like her.
Now, I grew up in the 50's and 60's. Ladies just DID NOT use those sorts of words in those days - not ones who wanted to continue to be thought of as "Ladies", for certain. How does the defense of such an unfeminine, ill-mannered and vulgar person in any way, shape, form or fashion conform to a "Conservative" ideology?
These same males who are applauding Annie Banannie for her rude and instulting behavior are the ones who will quote Rush Limpbaugh and call women who insist on their own rights to be "Femnazis". Ironic, isn't it?
***she has probably cheapened her value to many people as a truly brilliant political mind. Anyone with any brains who has actually listened to her over the years, of course, already knows that. ***
Couldn't agree with that statement more! She combines the shock factor with the sleaze factor and sucks in the choir to which she sings! Then she hawks merchandise to cover it all. I'd say it probably has zero influence on any true conservative, progressive or liberal! And to be insulted by her is no longer an honor, it's all too common. She wouldn't know a conservative if you beat her over the head with Bary Goldwater's dead body!
Ann, like the other talking bobble head on talk radio, is simply in the entertainment business and considers all publicity good publicity. Therefore, to make outrageous statements is good in her eyes, if they attract interest! Just the same as Brittany going without panties and shaving her head! It really does not merit a comment from normal, intelligent people! I would certainly not saddle the fine, conservative people I know with the words of this twit!
Thanks for the comments!
One of the only ways she can save her bad standup comedienne career is to have some of those signs that light up 'Applause' or 'Laugh' so that people can see when they should applaud her or laugh at her jokes.
Even those probably won't save her from the historical dustbin of irrelevance.
One of these days she'll show up on 'Dancing with the Stars' or one of those nostalgia shows on cable. Or maybe she can do the casino circuit.
Two examples of wit in political writers--William Safire and the late Molly Ivins. Both could make cogent arguments and be funny as all get out.