It fits in the chapter where Ann is pointing out that liberals are too arrogant to debate honestly. They have consequently adopted the system of using people's distresses to make them unassailable spokespeople for the liberal ideology.The Jersey GirlsTM are not the only widows of victims of the 9/11 sneak attack, but journalism treats them as if they were just that because they are reliably left-wing. The Jersey Girls can attack George Bush in particular and Republicans in general, but it would be "cruel" for Ann to point out that that is a partisan position which we are not obligated to agree with. Ann breaks the liberals' taboos, in the process pointing out that taboos is just what they are.
What it boils down to is that "grieving mother" Shehan and the "grieving widow" Jersey Girls are of a piece with the "Wellstone Memorial Democratic Pep Rally."
I heard Ann live and in person today with Sean Hannity at the Huntington Book Revue (book store). I got her to autograph my copy of her book, and identified myself by my FR screen name. Which she was nice enough to recognize, and express appreciation of.
Way to go CIC, great job!!!.
Thank you for the explanation. Now understanding it, I think she has done herself a disservice by giving all her opponents an easy and cheap way to dismiss her. What if all the furor was over her comments about abortion? Then people would really be engaging with the meaty ideas of the book rather than this sideshow.