Posted on 12/19/2004 6:28:39 AM PST by KMC1
"Conservative Celebrity Showdown"
Today's Match-Up:
Ann Coulter vs. Laura Ingraham
From a media perspective - who has had a bigger impact? Who is hotter as of present? And who do you think long term will have the lasting legacy?
Both came of "age" (media wise) during the Impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Along with the third blonde-haired pundit by the name of Barbara Olson, these three beauties took on the law-breaking Clinton regime one talk show at a time.
Ann's first book (published at that time) has now become standard text for Impeachment laws in several lawschools. Laura followed by releasing her first book on Hillary.
But in those days it was nearly impossible to go a night without seeing one or both of these Constitutional Lawyers on television - arguing for the rule of law - and tearing apart the liars like Lanny Davis who were paid for their ability to misrepresent the President's case night after night.
MEDIA ADVANTAGE THEN: Ingraham - who besides being a pundit on dozens of shows, had landed her own show weekday mornings on MSNBC.
In print Ann became known for her "fiery vitriol" (as the mainstream press would put it). Ann would always then defend herself with the honest observation - "When a liberal makes an impassioned case - their labeled 'courageous' and 'passionate'. When a conservative does it their labeled 'angry, virtiolic, and out of touch'".
Nonetheless Ann would have columns spike from time to time. Even her longtime friend David Horowitz canceled Ann's column.
But whatever the negative consequences, publishers saw gold. Now in four back to back to back to back works Ann has achieved what precious few have in conservative publishing circles... 4 Consecutive New York Time's Bestseller status. And in her second offering SLANDER she sat atop the NYTB list longer than any other conservative title - ever published.
Laura has tried her hand twice at the book thing. Both time moderately successful - but no where near the franchise that Coulter has.
PRINT ADVANTAGE THEN AND NOW: Coulter, Coulter, Coulter, Coulter.
For a good long while after impeachment and following the loss of her television show - Laura Ingraham disappeared somewhat from public view. After the loss of her TV show she made frequently fewer TV appearances, tried her hand a bit at talk radio - but that too seemed to flop - and went nowhere fast.
Coulter on the other hand - with her steady stream of books - her "always available" attitude towards major media, and the continuation of her still often controversial column landed her plenty of TV and radio spots.
MEDIA ADVANTAGE POST IMPEACHMENT, PRE 9/11: Coulter - she was still everywhere, all the time.
September 11th seems to have been a gut-check for both of these extremely accomplished women.
Ingraham reappeared on the scene and with more energy than ever. Funnier than ever, the signature Ingraham dry wit seemed even quicker than before. Eventually re-making her entire radio image, the launch of Ingraham's second book dwarfed the sales of her first. She was back and not just satisfied to sit around. As of this writing she has moved to 5th place in terms of most syndicated radio outlets in America. She trails only Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, Sean Hannity, and Laura Schlessinger. The mix of Ingraham's dry and witty observations on everything from politics, to media bias, to pop culture coupled with her ability to really warm up to and pull the most interesting information out of those that she even vehemently disagrees with - has sent the Ingraham franchise stock - through the roof.
Following 9/11 it was not blatantly obvious to most if Coulter had been as dramatically impacted. Obviously Coulter had never disengaged from the public eye - so on a lot of levels whatever changes may have occurred could have been more subtle. Which is exactly my opinion of the situation... Following 9/11 Coulter became even more deeply "Ann". She wrote even more sharply and to the point. Her mind became like a guided laser cutting through the falsehoods of liberalism with even more exacting purpose and aim. She continued to write, cranking out bestsellers, and doing lots of media.
MEDIA ADVANTAGE NOW:Tied - but in radio terms Ingraham has "a bullet" beside her name pointing up.
These two are truly an interesting pair.
To my knowledge they have never appeared publicly together. If you listen to Laura's broadcast - she refers to nearly every other Conservative Icon in the world - accept the one woman who has lifted conservatism to new heights - Coulter. On the other hand - the only time I've heard Ann refer to Laura was in a private discussion I had in a New York restraunt with her some 4 years ago - she seemed unaware of who Ingraham was and referred to her as "Laura Een-grah-ham" (not the typical Een-gram).
They both have a thorough understanding of the Constitution and have clerked for some huge names on Federal Courts.
They both claim Christianity as their faith. Ingraham recently becoming a deeply committed Catholic, and Coulter a professing Presbyterian evangelical.
As to who will leave the longest lasting impact on the world around her?
Obviously Coulter's books will last long after she does. But media insider's believe that Laura's skill in radio will most likely make her the heir apparent to the Rush Limbaugh empire (leap-frogging Sean Hannity). Most media pundits believe that while Hannity wants to be "the biggest name in talk radio", that Ingraham is focusing on the details of what it takes to be the best at the craft.
But now we put it to you - Coulter vs. Ingraham - Who's bigger, hotter, and will leave the longest lasting imprint on the world...?
This is an excerpt, to read more click here...
What I love about Laura's show is the humor. It's healthy to laugh at the libs rather than being annoyed by them.
My vote would be for Kellyanne and for Cheri Jacobus.
They are both tough and intelligent.
Laura is too defensive and Coulter is to sarcastic so her message gets lost.
LOL - They do seem like reruns of the "Jerry Springer Show" sometimes, don't they. The yelling is like scratching a chalk board.
I think we need a beach volleyball game to sort it out assuming they'd both say no to jello-wrestling.
Amen to that..
I'll never forget the way she took apart the infamous "Bill O'Reilly".
Word to Bill..next time you have Ann on the show, bring a few facts with you.
I hope she has Angels protecting her. I am sure the arkancised? list will grow by leaps and bounds as hillary moves for more power.
If the brain is the body's largest "sex" organ..then who wins?
I dreamt about Ann last night. I was told I kepT screaming "ON NO...NOT THE WHIP AGAIN!"
Gotta be Laura. I predict she will run for President in '12 or '16. I think she could win. She has a remarkable command without being pompous at all, and her wit pushes her ahead, in my opinion, of both Rush and Sean. Rush is yesterday's news and Sean is not bright enough. Ann Coulter is polarizing, while Laura Ingraham says many of the same things, but manages not to provoke such hostility.
Yep. On my limited exposure to each, I's summarize Ingraham's approach as "arch and irresolute," and Coulter's as "toe-to-toe."
Dan
She is great when she has liberals on her show because she lets them hang themselves with their own words.
Did you catch the show when she had the "Billionaires for Bush" spokesman on?
And isn't that Peggy Noonan with them? She's not exactly chopped liver :)
<< Gotta be Laura. I predict she will run for President in '12 or '16. >>
Didn't you also predict that Pet Rocks were here to stay?
Dan
(c;
She gets the libs she debates so ticked off it's hilarious! It's like watching a cat play with a mouse!
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