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Has Ann Coulter Hit Her Tipping Point?
AP ^

Posted on 03/11/2007 9:08:10 AM PDT by doesnt suffer fools gladly

Has Ann Coulter Hit Her Tipping Point?

By DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK (AP) - Ann Coulter has been a reliable name for years among people who plan television news shows - an attractive, articulate blonde conservative who's made a living lobbing verbal bombs.

Following her use of a gay slur about Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards this month during remarks to the Conservative Political Action Conference, some on TV are wondering whether her shelf life is expiring.

Many were angered by her use of the "f-word". Coulter later said she considered it a "schoolyard taunt." She said it was a joke about "Grey's Anatomy" actor Isaiah Washington saying he would seek counseling after using the word to refer to a fellow actor.

At least four daily newspapers have dropped Coulter as a columnist, citing her comment about Edwards.

Head-turning remarks are hardly anything new for the author of "Godless: The Church of Liberalism" and "How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must)." In "Godless" last year, she wrote of World Trade Center widows: "I've never seen people enjoying their husbands' deaths so much."

"It's a world of 'are you talking about me? are you talking about me?'" said Steve Friedman, executive producer of "The Early Show" on CBS. "And eventually you have to get more and more outrageous to be talked about. One day you cross the line and become persona non grata. I think she's getting close. I think Bill Maher is getting close."

Friedman has no plans to book Coulter on his show, but said he had no plans even before her Edwards comment.

Some people on NBC's "Today" show didn't want to see Coulter before she was booked to talk about "Godless" last summer, said Jim Bell, the show's executive producer.

He overruled them. Having only certain points of view would make for a bland program, he said. Since Coulter is a best-selling author, clearly there's an audience that responds to her. Coulter also appeared on a "Today" segment this Feb. 8, debating a University of Pennsylvania professor.

Bell said last week that Coulter's legitimate points of view are beginning to get lost in the noise of being outlandish.

"She sometimes goes out of her way to push some buttons and tends to generate more heat than light," he said. "We love a lively debate, but we would tend to get people who would generate more light."

Said Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism: "You do wonder whether she's destined for 'Dancing With the Stars' at some point."

Several conservatives criticized Coulter for her Edwards remarks. Fellow columnist Michelle Malkin lamented that Coulter had tarred the work of people at the Washington conference. She called Coulter's humor "tired old shtick." Tim Graham, director of media analysis at the Media Research Center, said some conservatives envy the attention she gets and dislike how she distracts from legitimate arguments.

"If you got the sense that she was saying things you thought she believed, it would help," he said.

Still, Graham said it would be "outrageous" if Coulter is blacklisted by networks but Maher isn't. The HBO comic angered some by recent remarks suggesting more people would live if an assassination attempt against Vice President Dick Cheney had been successful.

The liberal organization Media Matters for America, which has long campaigned against Coulter, hopes this is a "defining moment" that causes TV networks to turn their backs on her, said spokesman Karl Frisch.

MSNBC once fired Coulter as a regular contributor after a remark she made to a Vietnam veteran. But Coulter has appeared there as a guest on shows and the network has no policy against her.

The remarks "won't stop conservatives from buying her books and her ability to sell books is what drives her bookings on TV," said MSNBC's "Hardball" host Chris Matthews.

CNN had scheduled Coulter to appear with Paula Zahn last Monday. The network said Coulter canceled her appearance.

"We have and will continue to interview provocative guests and ask them tough questions," CNN spokeswoman Christa Robinson said. "We don't have overall bans about anyone. We will book them when we think it is appropriate to do so, on a case by case basis."

The changing nature of cable news may limit Coulter's ability to speak to those who don't already agree with her. Cable talk shows used to be built upon fiery debate, while now there are more shows that take a point of view and depict world events through that prism. Think Lou Dobbs, Keith Olbermann and Glenn Beck.

A spokeswoman for Coulter did not return a call for comment. Coulter, however, did appear on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" three days after the Edwards remark and belittled the idea that it would do lasting damage to her. It's a cycle, she said: she says something, the same people become hysterical, and that's the end of it.

It's about her 17th allegedly career-ending moment, she said.

"It happens about every six months," Coulter said, "and you're always there to put me on TV, Sean."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: coulter
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To: gondramB
Its odd how so many conservatives can recognize PC encroachment in every case but this one.

After reviewing the information available, it's my serious contention that the person I was talking to isn't a conservative.

181 posted on 03/11/2007 4:48:02 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the face of the earth for a thousand years.)
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To: BillyBoy

I've never thought Coulter was infallible.

And she proved it once again with this joke, when she underestimated the stupidity (and cupidity) of too many on the right.


182 posted on 03/11/2007 4:51:50 PM PDT by Sam Hill
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To: JRios1968
I'll let you tell him...

I don't really think it would be an issue.
183 posted on 03/11/2007 5:44:52 PM PDT by beezdotcom
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To: BlueSky194

i did not compare rush to ann.

>>> i said that my neighbors who watch tv want both censored.

this is a leftist position.


184 posted on 03/11/2007 6:38:51 PM PDT by ken21 (it takes a village to brainwash your child + to steal your property! /s)
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To: All
"Its odd how so many conservatives can recognize PC encroachment in every case but this one."

I think this is an important point.

I've noticed that the "Anti's" have gotten more vocal, more strident, and much much more nasty of late. The Anti's are eager to point out the flaws, highlight the inconsistencies, and mostly malign those whom they disagree with. It would be distracting even if it were libs they were stalking, but increasingly it is conservatives that they choose to focus their sharp tongues on.

Reading the posting histories of some I've found that their obsession has become downright irrational (yes, I have been known to "rummage through your trash" as one particularly neurotic individual put it - sometimes it adds depth & context to their posts - sometimes it reveals their depth of character, and sometimes it reveals the lack of same).

Now it's obvious that Annie isn't for everyone. Should that be the case, by all means feel free to shout it out. There! Feel better now? Now you can go on to other pursuits!

It is unfortunate that so much energy is wasted in this infighting when we have enemies nipping at our heels...
185 posted on 03/11/2007 8:18:18 PM PDT by rockrr (Never argue with a man who buys ammo in bulk...)
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To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
imageigloo.com
186 posted on 03/11/2007 9:16:55 PM PDT by Greenham Common
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To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
Bell said last week that Coulter's legitimate points of view are beginning to get lost in the noise of being outlandish.

Since when did the mainstream media ever cover -- or even mention -- Coulter's "legitimate points of view". They only comment when they believe Ann has crossed the line into illegitimacy. Screw 'em.

187 posted on 03/11/2007 11:04:08 PM PDT by AZLiberty (I'm selling Nonsense Offset Credits. If you're over your limit, contact me.)
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the fact that media outlets are still harping on this proves they are dead in the water and nothing but liberal morons who hate anyone who isnt a lib.


188 posted on 03/11/2007 11:50:21 PM PDT by Heavy Fuel
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To: Sam Hill
Yep, there you go. A conservative says the word "faggot" and gets reamed (pardon the pun). A black actor uses the same term to describe a white cast-member on a successful TV show and he gets an award.
All is right with the world. Make that all is "left" with the world.
I used to think people were ignorant of the facts, then I started talking to liberals. Now I know people are just plain stupid.
189 posted on 03/12/2007 12:20:27 AM PDT by Kickass Conservative (Nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue - Hitlery Clinton, Commie In Chief.)
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To: doesnt suffer fools gladly

Who cares--I thought nobody but sicko conservatives read or watched her anyway? If the mainstream media would just ignore her, I'm sure she'd be quiet and go away. hahahaha


190 posted on 03/12/2007 12:22:21 AM PDT by MHT
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To: dayglored
I have a large tolerance for edgy comments like hers. It's called freedom of speech.

Me too. I really get tired of people wondering what the neighbors will think.

When we hear what our President is called by the other side and what Conservatives are called, this is kindergarten in comparison.

As for FreeRepublic being a hateful website, we all know better than that when we have DU to compare it to. Now there is some hate.

191 posted on 03/12/2007 1:06:03 AM PDT by Texas Mom (Two places you're always welcome - church and Grandma's house.)
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To: CWOJackson; SerpentDove
Question of the year:
"Am I the only one who thinks Ann, in an exquisitely executed statement, revealed the craven hypocrisy of her "conservative" audience, which is preparing to embrace Rudy, who is the crown jewel of the gay lobby?"

192 posted on 03/12/2007 2:10:52 AM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: youngjim; Jo Nuvark; Tax-chick; najida
Question of the year:
"Am I the only one who thinks Ann, in an exquisitely executed statement, revealed the craven hypocrisy of her "conservative" audience, which is preparing to embrace Rudy, who is the crown jewel of the gay lobby?"

193 posted on 03/12/2007 2:14:10 AM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: najida
"Don't quit your day job :)"

Same to you!


194 posted on 03/12/2007 9:05:13 AM PDT by Sam Hill
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To: najida

Cool outfit!


195 posted on 03/12/2007 9:39:43 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Free Republic, "Where a few remnant curios bite.")
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To: Tax-chick

There certainly doesn't seem to be any risk of the ANNorexia that Najida likes to talk about so much.


196 posted on 03/12/2007 10:14:40 AM PDT by Sam Hill
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To: Sam Hill

Najida looks charming.

I admire Ann Coulter's intellect and chutzpah, but she needs a few hundred cheeseburgers and a strawberry shake, in my opinion.


197 posted on 03/12/2007 10:37:34 AM PDT by Tax-chick (John Edwards is a gamma male. "Yeah, buddy, that's his own hair!")
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To: Sam Hill

LOL!

You are pathetic.


198 posted on 03/12/2007 10:38:49 AM PDT by najida (One day, a door opens, and you get a chance to start over. But the phone rings......)
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To: Tax-chick

Seems if you don't like Ann, people get mean and a little crazy.

My attitude is after 50, what can you do to me?


199 posted on 03/12/2007 10:44:58 AM PDT by najida (One day, a door opens, and you get a chance to start over. But the phone rings......)
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Comment #200 Removed by Moderator


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