Dinner with Ann Coulter

Arkansas News Bureau ^ | Sunday, Oct 3, 2004 | By David Sanders

[Forgiven_Sinner]

It was well past 9 p.m. before we sat down for a late dinner, but the small group that had gathered was primed and ready for an enjoyable time at the table. Ann Coulter, the guest of honor, was still held up at the University of Central Arkansas performance hall down the street, signing autographs and posing for pictures with well-wishers.

Perhaps no other political commentator or best-selling author is so loved by the right and hated by the left. She has made a solid career as the outspoken and bombastic heroine of America's political right.

Wednesday night wasn't different. Greeted by a sustained standing ovation, she delivered a hard-hitting speech. The short-skirted Coulter focused mostly on the all-encompassing war on terror.

I have never considered myself a huge fan, but I certainly wasn't going to turn down the invitation from UCA president Lu Hardin to listen to her speak to 1,000 people and then break bread with Coulter and eight other folks at his residence.

I was the first to arrive. Hardin greeted me at the door and took me into his library. Soon his wife Mary, a gracious dinner host, entered. As we waited, the couple took me on a tour of the beautiful house that they have made into a wonderful home.

After a few minutes, Coulter arrived. Our dinner party was gathered in the parlor. She posed for pictures and made small talk with everyone. This was her first visit to Arkansas.

Coulter was thrilled when she learned earlier in the day that she would be staying at the Peabody Hotel, formerly the Excelsior Hotel that some associate with Bill Clinton and Paula Jones.

"When I found out I was coming to Arkansas, I knew that I wanted to go there (the Peabody) and get a bathrobe or something," she laughed. "And now I'm actually staying there!"

I told her that she should have Jeff Pitchford, an aide to Hardin and her ride back to Little Rock, run her by the Capitol, Clinton's library, the Governor's Mansion and the Rose Law Firm so she can get the complete scandal tour. Despite the fact that she would be getting back to her hotel after midnight, she seemed genuinely excited by the idea.

She told Hardin, and the rest of us, that the four days between their speeches was as close as she has gotten to Michael Moore. Moore, the famous liberal propagandist, will be speaking at UCA tonight to provide a different perspective.

Had Hardin had his way, the two of them would have been debating each other on the same stage. Coulter didn't know it, but Hardin had actually proposed the idea of the two of them debating side by side, but Moore's handlers declined.

Coulter laughed because Bill Maher, formerly of ABC's "Politically Incorrect," had been trying to get the two of them together for his HBO talk show, "Real Time," to no avail. She said Moore had responded to Maher on air that she was afraid to debate him. She chuckled as she said that liberals usually telegraph their own reasoning in the lies they tell.

For the record, she said she would debate Michael Moore any time, any place. Coulter doubted he would take her up on the offer.

She joked that the cover of her new book, "How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must): The World According to Ann Coulter," which comes out Tuesday, shows her standing in front of a chalkboard, looking like "some kind of dominatrix dressed in tasteful Chanel black leather." She said she liked a different cover, one where she was showing her muscles, as did her female friends, but her publisher's pick won out.

As the minutes ticked by, 11 p.m. had come and gone. The acerbic and biting commentator - popping Nicorette gum like candy - carried the dinner conversation. A good time was had by all.

Ann Coulter does serve a useful purpose. Following her speech, I caught up with a few of her fans standing outside the hall. One noticeably excited female college student said of Coulter, "She says out loud the things about liberals that I think quietly to myself." -------

David Sanders write twice weekly for the Arkansas News Bureau in Little Rock. His e-mail address is DavidJSanders@aol.com.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

A good portrait of A.C. I like the comments, "When I found out I was coming to Arkansas, I knew that I wanted to go there (the Peabody) and get a bathrobe or something," she laughed. "And now I'm actually staying there!"

and

I told her that she should have Jeff Pitchford, an aide to Hardin and her ride back to Little Rock, run her by the Capitol, Clinton's library, the Governor's Mansion and the Rose Law Firm so she can get the complete scandal tour. Despite the fact that she would be getting back to her hotel after midnight, she seemed genuinely excited by the idea.

and finally:

"She says out loud the things about liberals that I think quietly to myself."

I also noted:"The acerbic and biting commentator - popping Nicorette gum like candy - carried the dinner conversation."

Perhaps she's giving up smoking?

Maybe she'll just smoke cigars.

And the pic:

[bert]

One can read her work every day and marvel at the way she puts her words together.

Reading however, doesn't begin to compare with the actual hearing of her words, delivered within sight and not filtered through a broadcast signal.

She is magnificantly fantastic.

[martin_fierro]

Hey, lookit!

[sushiman]

" shows her standing in front of a chalkboard, looking like "some kind of dominatrix dressed in tasteful Chanel black leather."

I may buy it just for the pic ! Hot , smart and strong babes in leather turn me on ...

[sushiman]

" shows her standing in front of a chalkboard, looking like "some kind of dominatrix dressed in tasteful Chanel black leather."

I may buy it just for the pic ! Hot , smart and strong babes in leather turn me on ...

[Paleo Conservative]

I wish she would pass on her genes to future generations.

[Indie]

ahh either my puter is busted or that pic is a few GIGS too many....and it is Ann Coulter!! I am going nuts!!

[Indie]

repost the pic smaller plz...i have broadband and it will not load

[Diddle E. Squat]

Hardin had actually proposed the idea of the two of them debating side by side, but Moore's handlers declined.

[TheDon]

"She chuckled as she said that liberals usually telegraph their own reasoning in the lies they tell."

Quite true.

[ChadGore]

[Rebelbase]

Someone posted this link on another thread. Its got some great quicktime video of Ann talking, an excellent fix!

http://www.anncoulterdoc.com/photo_gallery.htm

[dc-zoo]

Having Ann Colter for dinner would be fine but who needs dinner?

[dc-zoo]

Ok.. Coulter

[colt1911]

Aw great-now i'm pissed! I was at the speech and didn't get invited to dinner with AC (I would have considered donating a major organ for that privilege)! The writer is correct about her speech-AC is definitely a class act! A follow-up: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette had the review of AC's appearance on page 3 of the state section. The same paper's article about Michael Moore's appearance last night in the same venue was on page 1 of the state section (complete with a photo of the scum)!

[Hildy]

...liberals usually telegraph their own reasoning in the lies they tell.

Perfect.

[ErnBatavia]

(I would have considered donating a major organ for that privilege)!

That line reminds me of one of Los Angeles well-known TV Anchorettes, following up a story about a child that needed a heart transplant:

"Hopefully, this broadcast will find someone watching who will come forth to make this much needed donation".

[gitmo]

Forgiven_Sinner, that better be a GREAT Anne Coulter pic. I think the source server must have a 300 baud modem.

[gitmo]

I think I see the top of her head, now!

[finnigan2]

"I think I see the top of her head, now!"

- Hey! Isn't that Clinton's line?