Posted on 08/20/2010 2:55:46 PM PDT by RonDog
The Ann Coulter You Don't Know
by Matt LatimerThe flap over Coulter’s speech to a gay Republican group
shows that the right’s provocateur is a heck of a lot of more
complicated than she’s made out to be."Wait until you hear what Ann Coulter did now" has become a cable news era cliché—up there with “fair and balanced," "we report, you decide," and "can I please get a word in edgewise, Mr. Carville?" So upon learning that Ann has found her way into another controversy—a sadly overused word when applied to Ms. Coulter—the natural temptation is to brace oneself. This, after all, is the woman who mused—in jest?—that perhaps America would be better off if women couldn't vote.
One of the carefully guarded secrets of Ann Coulter world
is how much she is not hated and—dare one say it—even liked
by many within the dreaded liberal elite.
No doubt to the surprise of Coulter haters—and "hate" is not too strong a word here—the supposed Bellatrix Lestrange of the Republican Party recently took a stand that the more rational among them might even applaud. When informed she could not participate in a political conference if she kept a commitment to speak to a group of gay Republicans, Ms. Coulter told organizers just what they could do with their conference. Noting that she speaks to all kinds of groups whose views she does not necessarily agree with—"the main thing I do is speak on college campuses, which is about the equivalent of speaking at an al Qaeda conference"—Coulter, in her own style, stood for something that conservatives are supposed to believe in: the free exchange of ideas. Few, of course, have exercised that particular privilege with more vigor than the woman who famously labeled Katie Couric "the affable Eva Braun" of the liberal movement.Lately, in fact, Coulter has been making a habit of getting on the bad side of the right’s Dwight Schrutes, even at the risk of alienating some of her book buyers and website subscribers. She was, for example, an early and outspoken opponent of the Obama birther movement, calling its adherents a collection of "cranks." And in response to commentator Bill Kristol’s haughty demand that Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele resign because Steele criticized the military surge in Afghanistan, Coulter turned the tables. "Bill Kristol Should Resign," she wrote, thus fearlessly taking on one of the Grand Poobahs of today’s GOP and provoking a needed debate within the conservative movement over the dangers of supporting every military action at every time under every circumstance.
Tolerance for differing viewpoints...willingness to stand up to the GOP’s titans...is this the Ann Coulter that liberals loathe and Republicans love? That is exactly her. But you’re not supposed to tell anyone. In fact, one of the carefully guarded secrets of Ann Coulter world is how much she is not hated and—dare one say it—even liked by many within the dreaded liberal elite. Well-credentialed members of the mainstream media privately extol her. Among her friends is the decidedly unconservative talk show host Bill Maher, on whose cable program she frequently appeared. "Unlike so many people in America, she was not afraid to get booed," Mr. Maher once said of his pal. But at a quasi-debate with Maher, Coulter showed the limits of her affection. "Bill wants me to behave like a wife who laughs each time she hears her husband tell the same story," she told her audience. (Predictably she did not oblige.) To the shock, awe, and dismay of many on the left, Coulter even has dated a number of liberal acolytes, including a one-time aide to Joe Biden and the former president of the New York City Council. There are even anecdotal cases of—brace yourselves—actual kindness.
I can attest to this unsettling phenomenon. Some years ago, a geeky political nerd from Michigan came to Capitol Hill with grandiose dreams and a debilitating shyness. Few among the great potentates and perennial climbers of the United States Senate had much time for the lugs at the bottom. But Ann did. Though a senior aide to a U.S. Senator, she took the time to get to know the rest of us, ask our opinions, share stories, and be a friend. Even then I knew that Coulter would not be long for the dreary rituals and bloviating self-absorption of Capitol Hill. Instead she became a media star.
More than a decade later, when I wrote a book about my experiences in Washington I asked my publisher if Ann could read it. I figured she wouldn’t remember me and expected a polite rebuff. Instead Ann got to it quickly and wrote a generous blurb. When the book received criticism from prominent Bush aides and some conservative friends waited out the deluge from a comfortable distance, Ann Coulter stood by with her support, even appearing on Fox News to lend a hand and correct the facts.
I jokingly told her that from here on out I’d punch anyone who attacked her in my presence. "You’re going to be pretty busy," she instantly replied.
None of this is to say that Ann Coulter hasn’t deserved the animosity or opposition she has received over the years—and which she sometimes has shrewdly cultivated. She knew well what she was doing when she boldly criticized the 9/11 widows or poked fun at Senator John Edwards before that particular sport became a national pastime. And most likely she wouldn’t take back a single offending word she has ever uttered.
But there is a reason why all the latter-day Coulter imitators on cable news channels have been about as cutting edge as a J.C. Penney commercial. People—at least those who matter—usually are more complicated than their caricatures. It’s too bad that politics doesn’t allow us to see more public figures that way.
Matt Latimer is the author of the New York Times bestseller, SPEECH-LESS: Tales of a White House Survivor. He was deputy director of speechwriting for George W. Bush and chief speechwriter for Donald Rumsfeld.
I’ve been to one of Ann’s speeches; she is amazing. For one thing, never doubt her conservatism, or her opposition to abortion. It was also fun seeing her cut the liberal questioners off at their knees.
That said, for all you birthers, give it up. It’s a losing proposition. I know he’s not an American citizen, you know he’s not an American citizen; Hell, everyone knows he’s not an American citizen.
BUT, nothing’s going to come of it. Ever. Focus your energies elsewhere. Pursuing the “birther” path is a waste of time.
Oh, yeah-one other thing...flame away...
She jumped the shark when she became a dedicated Slick Willardbot.
Pursuing the truth is never a waste of time.....
You may have hit the nail on the head.
But — again — she won’t be entertaining this old gray duck if she’s in bed with the faggots.
One Meghan McCain “hollywood rino” is more than enough. We don’t need a fat one AND a skinny one.
Most of her work is poorly written, but I admire her for standing up for Joe McCarthy when few others would dare to do so. He attack on Joe Farah though is foolish and wrong.
“She’s in her mid-40s. Never married. No children.”
Try late-40s. She’ll be 49 on December 8th. Laura Ingraham is 46 and has never been married either, despite having two young adopted children.
I wish more people would remember this is the woman who told a Muslim woman to take a flying carpet instead of flying. I’ll wait to hear what she says to the group, she’s earned that much and more.
As for the Birther issue, I can only add this.
I’m disappointed that a Constitutional Lawyer, a woman who has dedicated herself to the study of our laws and Conservative principles would not have concerns over an admitted dual-citizen being President. As a student of history, Ann would know our founders were very concerned about foreign influence in the White House. If she knows of some obscure Supreme Court ruling that has affirmed an admitted dual-national is eligible as a Natural Born Citizen, I’d love for her to tell us about it. On the same note, if she believes a dual-citizen is eligible under our Constitution, I wish she would explain why. Coming from Coulter, many people would be willing to listen and accept her reasoning.
I’d also ask her if she is comfortable with a man who has sealed every bit of his background papers, including his original birth certificate when no other President has gone to the lengths Obama has to seal his background. If she is comfortable with a President who does this I’d like to know her reasoning for finding it acceptable and why she would believe the public does not have the right to review a persons background who sits at the head of our government. If she is not comfortable, I’d like to know why she has not spoken out, on at least that issue.
Lately, in fact, Coulter has been making a habit of getting on the bad side of the right’s Dwight Schrutes, even at the risk of alienating some of her book buyers and website subscribers...Who?
I've never even HEARD of this guy?Anybody know WHO is "Dwight Schrutes" -- and WHY is Ann pissing him off?
(pinging a few FRiends from the OTHER recent thread about this.)
How did those guys ever win the Revolution? Maybe they ignored the naysayers?
Maybe, she’s looking for a husband, many gay men have money, never been married and have no kids.
...On the same note, if she believes a dual-citizen is eligible under our Constitution, I wish she would explain why.THANK YOU, Brytani -- for your thoughtful post!Coming from Coulter, many people would be willing to listen and accept her reasoning.
I particularly agree with the LAST part......if we could get ANN on board with this, this whole "Natural Born Citizen" controvery would be MUCH HARDER for the rest of the media to ignore it.
“Lately, in fact, Coulter has been making a habit of getting on the bad side of the right’s Dwight Schrutes, even at the risk of alienating some of her book buyers and website subscribers...”
guy who wrote the post? hahahaha....no, according to the googlie machine, he’s on a sitcom I wouldn’t watch if you paid me to.
I like that she’s pissing him off, though. We need some pissed off conservatives to grab this country by the neck and shake it before we all go under.
She is one pundit who is fearless and leads with her chin, daring you to take a poke. She never apologizes.
I kind of like her. Heck, I like her a lot. I don’t have to agree with every last thing that comes out of her pen.
She has gone after Dem icons, and defended McCarthy when defending him gained her nothing but more opprobrium. She’s got more nerve than about anyone in media right now with only a couple of exceptions.
I’ll be interested to see the text of her remarks at the conference. I remember when National Review dumped her for saying that we should convert our enemies to Christianity. No one cares much what NR Online says and everyone remembers the Coulter Solution. Farah had better hope that isn’t his epitaph too.
And...This is the measure of Ann's fundamental character!
If she can't defend the Constitution ( **ALL** OF IT!) when it is still safe to do so, why on earth would we ever expect her to defend it in the face of real tyranny, jack boots in the street, and gas oven roar full-blast! Only a fool whould do so!
If tyranny comes to America, Ann will sell her talent to the fascist oligarchy and spit shine the jack boots crushing our necks!
To the shock, awe, and dismay of many on the left, Coulter even has dated a number of liberal acolytes, including a one-time aide to Joe Biden and the former president of the New York City Council.
And...Again this reflects Ann's basic character.
Personally, for me, I can not have a liberals ( really Marxists dressed in sheep's clothing) for a friend. I would never consider **dating** one! They are too stupid or too evil!
The Florida 2000 recount did it for me. That is when I realized that liberals ( really Marxists) were utterly and completely corrupt and would do **anything** ( literally) to gain power. They would kill conservatives if they could. They just can't get away with it ...yet!
As for Ann...The "crank" comment and using the KKK to make her point did it for me. Ann, GO POUND SAND! God will raise up someone else (with even greater talent than yours) to help save our nation.
That they were jealous and nervous that they didn't have the testosterone to date such hot babe. (nancy boys)
And that they share with you deeply rooted symptoms of CES.
Some guys like to sit around and tear down strong women that wouldn't give them the time of day.
Makes them feel manly. Like Al Fraken.
Agreed. How long does it take on any Anne thread for some yahoo to pop-off with “buy her a hamburger”, “she has an adams apple” or other crap.
Anne has done more to advance Conservatism than 99% of all Conservatives, part of that has been by being provocative.
I don’t always agree with her but I give her the respect she rightfully deserves and I know we’d be a bit worse off if she was no longer around.
Years ago I concluded that I am not the sort of person who could tolerate Bill Maher or folks like him. I do not watch his Program and have not since the one time that I actually did.
Coulter is friends with him I suppose. What can you say about that? I have friends and family that are completely mindlessly Liberal. Am I suppose to toss them out the door when they are over for Christmas dinner?
You do what you can.
Truth is, Liberalism is generally defended by expressing feelings. Conservatism is generally defended by discussing facts.
Ann out “Rights” a lot of “Republicans” and though she may tarry with liberal scum, at least she presents something that you have never seen from the likes of John McCain or the Maine twins, and many others.
She is getting a message out to folks that Free Republic could never reach as a matter of fact.
You mean like supporting Romney?
Since you asked, the American Revolution was won by force of arms. You can look it up. Are you ready to take Obama out by force of arms? Didn’t think so...
I sympathize, but you’re going to have to wait until 2012 to get rid of the Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers.
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