I don't know why the author dragged Ann into it, but Thomas Frank is a realy liberal butt-head. His thesis is that people (conservatives) who don't vote for the party that promises them the most govt handouts are stupid.
I believe Ann was used as a contrast. Niether Ann or this socialist could be described as moderates. Paul Krugman had his routine pubbie bashing OpEd which used this book as a reference. This book review was more funny. The socialists can't buy a clue.