"Tact" and "Coulter" I'm not sure are two words that ever belong in the same sentence. Though technically, I suppose they weren't. Anyway, I think those initial charges by Ingraham and Coulter right off the bat needed a public response to make sure they didn't stick. I understand your point, but frankly, some of the responses have been so frothing at the mouth that not alienating those people seems about impossible at this point.
I'll give Limbaugh credit for seeing the bigger picture and backing off. It is entirely possible to disagree and express disappointment without being destructive, and that distinction apparently has been lost on some.
But I don't know that Coulter, Ingraham or even 'yours truly' should be held to the same standard as the White House. They get paid to think about these things, I don't. I get paid to not make mistakes in a cockpit. On the Internet, you can expect me to sometimes be dumb as a post. Bush gets paid to not make mistakes in the White House.