Ann Coulter Strikes Again; Elizabeth Edwards Strikes Back
Ann Coulter creates controversy. It’s not shocking. What’s shocking is the timing. Coulter doesn’t have a book coming out until October. She had no reason to be controversial and mean other than she’s internalized it so much she can’t help herself. As is her forte Coulter puts herself above the ideas she claims to be promoting. The latest vitrol oozing out of Coulter’s mouth came on Good Morning America Monday morning.
She said, “If I’m going to say anything about John Edwards in the future, I’ll just wish he had been killed in a terrorist assassination plot.” That’s not wishing Edwards was killed, but it was typical Ann Coulter. It was sarcastic, not funny, ugly, and mean. She was advancing Coulterism instead of conservatism.
It got the John Edwards campaign to send out a fundraising e-mail. But that floundering campaign needs all the help it can get.
Then Elizabeth Edwards got in the act giving Chris Matthews some “must see tv” on today’s Hardball.
According to Greg Sargent confronting Coulter is part of John Edwards campaign strategy to reach out to the strident Left.
Coulter didn’t expect this. She flailed away going so far as to claim Edwards wanted her to stop writing and speaking. For a woman who complains about her critics taking her words out of context Coulter needs to listen before speaking.
I could ignore her, but she’s a prominent conservative spokesman. She considers herself a promoter of conservatism. Her words soil the great, honorable tradition of William F. Buckley, Bill Kristol, and Rush Limbaugh.
Like her March gaffe Coulter was surrounded by young people. In the open letter to CPAC I wrote:
One of the points of CPAC is the opportunity it gives college students to meet other young conservatives and learn from our leaders. Unlike on their campuses—where they often feel alone—at CPAC they know they are part of a vibrant political movement. What example is set when one highlight of the conference is finding out what shocking phrase will emerge from Ann Coulter’s mouth? How can we teach young conservatives to fight for their principles with civility and respect when Ann Coulter is allowed to address the conference? Coulter’s invective is a sign of weak thinking and unprincipled politicking.
Coulter again fails to educate the youth passing on the best of conservatism.
“Elizabeth Edwards vs. Ann Coulter”
UPDATE: Here’s some selected blogospheric commentary:
- James Joyner has a good round-up and writes, “Unfortunately, anger and ugliness sells.”
- For Andrew Sullivan the Edwards campaign is “using Coulter.” Why not? Coulter shouldn’t be the only one to use her callous words for a fast buck.
- The Politico’s Ben Smith asks, “Is Ann Coulter good for anything other than Democratic fundraising any more? It’s the only context in which I ever see her name.” Just wait until her new book comes out this fall.
UPDATE II: I failed to make the point that Elizabeth Edwards isn’t the pure mother trying to protect her family and civil political dialogue. She called in because it riled up the Left and gave her husband free media. And it worked. Also realize the Edwards campaign doesn’t act in a civil manner. As evidence are the two anti-Catholic webloggers he hired/fired earlier this year.
Elizabeth Edwards Confronts Ann Coulter on ‘Hardball’…
Elizabeth Edwards called in to “Hardball” yesterday afternoon to confront Ann Coulter.
Elizabeth Edwards pleaded Tuesday with Ann Coulter to “stop the personal attacks,” a day after the conservative commentator said she wished E…