March 02, 2007
Ann Coulter Slams Edwards With Anti-Gay Slur
"I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I — so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards," Ann Coulter said today at CPAC. Her audience seemed to to evince both shock and delight.
The Human Rights Campaign's Joe Solomnese was not happy.
“To interject this word into American political discourse is a vile and disgusting way to sink the debate to a new, all-time low. Make no doubt about it, these remarks go directly against what our Founding Fathers intended and have no place on the schoolyard, much less our country’s political arena.”
Next, there'll be calls for Republican candidates to disassociate themselves from Coulter's remarks. Unfairly, ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney faces the biggest burden: he spoke right before Coulter and praised her... not knowing what she planned to say.
Posted at 05:46 PM
Comments
Unfairly? It's not like this is some random, out-of-character moment. It exactly the kind of bigoted speech she's made her living from. For anyone to praise her, or to include her in their forums, for that matter, should be called on it.
cms | 03.02.07 06:27 PM
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Unfairly? He *chose* to associate himself with her. He introduced her, saying "I am happy to hear that after you hear from me, you will hear from Ann Coulter. That is a good thing. Oh yeah!"
"Not knowing what she planned to say" is no excuse where you're talking about this vile woman. Last year at this very conference, she proposed a new US policy "Raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences."
This is the woman who mused about poisoning Justice Stevens, who lamented that Al Quida didn't bomb the New York Times building, who called the widows of those killed on 9/11 "harpies" and said "I've never seen people enjoying their husbands' deaths so much."
A claim of ignorance doesn't cut it for Mitt. And the media shouldn't let him get away with the attempt.
addie loggins | 03.02.07 06:38 PM
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"Unfairly?" WHAT?
Coulter has a history of making vile statements...she called for a sitting Justice of the United States Supreme Court to be poisoned.
That Romney would "praise" her is indefensible. He deserves getting called out. That she said what she did right after he spoke is just bad luck...that he should have seen coming.
DGail | 03.02.07 06:44 PM
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Please. Ann Coulter has suggested executing the editor of the NY Times, forcefully indoctrinating muslims into christianity on pain of death, it being a shame Tim McVeigh didn't bomb the NY Times, killing Clinton, joking about mailing anthrax to liberals.
So Romney was shocked that she crossed the line or something? Her whole schtick is to cross the line. If she was a liberal, she would be called uncivil. But, instead she is on tv all the time. Romney knows her act. He needs to take accountability for praising her.
trifecta | 03.02.07 06:44 PM
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Unfair, Hotline? So, Romney had no idea that Coulter has exactly this MO when he introduced her? Please... The GOP get to cozy up to extremists yet it's the Dems who get hounded for their association with the "lunatic left." Fair and balanced, huh?
HotlineFan | 03.02.07 06:59 PM
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Where I come from (Canada) this would be prosecuted as hate speech. This comment is reprehensible, but nothing seems beneath Ms Coulter.
Aunty Em Ericann | 03.02.07 07:17 PM
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Get off the PC crap, she is talking and let her talk. She didn't call anyone anything, she just used a word. Big problem in America. You have to be "P.C." & all that , but Muslim nuts can cut off or threaten to annihilate counties & no on says a thing. Get real!!!
Gerald J. Nappi | 03.02.07 07:24 PM
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"Mitt Romney faces the biggest burden: he spoke right before Coulter and praised her... not knowing what she planned to say."
That is incredibly disingenuous on both your and Romney's part. Last year at this same conference Coulter referred to Muslim's as "RAGHEADS".
She had in the past, called Bill Clinton gay as well has Hillary Clinton. She has called for the death of John Paul Stevens by poisoning his food, wished that Tim McVeigh blew up the NY Times instead. She has also stated that we should forcibly convert muslims on pain of death to christianity.
She has repeatedly made such statements and continues to get paychecks to show up at these conferences that other GOP candidates attend and they candidates ARE NEVER CALLED ON IT BY THE PRESS.
You cannot give Romney a pass on this.
attaturk | 03.02.07 07:33 PM
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How exactly is it unfair to ask Romney to disassociate himself with this vile attack?
JDS | 03.02.07 07:35 PM
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Romney did not praise her. He said, "I'm happy to learn that after I speak you're going to hear from Ann Coulter. That's a good thing. I think it's important to get the views of moderates."
This is all Romney said in his speech about her. How is this praise? He, actually, is pointing out that she is an extremist, in a nice way.
myclob | 03.02.07 07:49 PM
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it would only be considered a slam if edwards is gay, and even then only if coulter was relevant to reality.
phhhhhht.
martinchill | 03.02.07 08:02 PM
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Unfairly?
Yes, because it isn't like she's got a history of this sort of thing for YEARS now. Why exactly do you feel the need to carry water for these people?
Oliver Willis | 03.02.07 09:00 PM
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"Unfairly, ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney faces the biggest burden: he spoke right before Coulter and praised her... not knowing what she planned to say."
It's Ann freaking Coulter. What hasn't she said that ISN'T disgusting? Any presidential candidate that praises her deserves to go through the meat-grinder.
Adam Terando | 03.02.07 10:05 PM
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We'll see what kind of play this gets in the media. Hmm, how about... none?
bobestes | 03.02.07 10:07 PM
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"Unfairly, ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney faces the biggest burden: he spoke right before Coulter and praised her... not knowing what she planned to say."
Oh please. Ann Coulter has NEVER delivered a speech where she didn't say something horribly inappropriate and bigoted. Last year at this same event she referred several times to "ragheads". She called Al Gore a "fag" just a few months ago. Her schtick is well known and anyone who stands up next to her on a stage deserves to be tarred by her vile. You know that if someone said something equally vile at a Democratic event, the entire conservative media machine would be going nuts and demanding, in the most hyperbolic language imaginable, that every Democrat at the event denounce the person. And they would, instantly.
Anonymous Liberal | 03.02.07 10:22 PM
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Unfairly?!?
You're angling for a coveted "Wanker of the day" award from Duncan Black, aren't you? Admit it!
This is a CLASSIC example of the double standards applied to Democrats and Republicans by the political media.
You know damn well that is Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton warmly introduced a speaker, who then proceeded to call Rudy Giuliani a "faggot," you and your buddies would rake them over the coals and camp out in front of their offices and at campaign appearances asking for "reaction" to the demands from Republicans and other assorted wingnuts for apologies, etc.
Every single Republican candidate who attended that debacle owed John Edwards and apology and the American people a denouncement of that wacko publicity seeking bigot, Ann Coulter.
Hesiod | 03.02.07 11:14 PM
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Excuse me? Unfairly?
He thought maybe she was going to talk about puppies and bunnies? When was the last time the woman made a complete sentence without a truckload of hatred about someone or some thing?
Fair is fair, is it not? How on earth could he not know she was capable or this or worse?
Happy Camper | 03.02.07 11:24 PM
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"Get off the PC crap, she is talking and let her talk. She didn't call anyone anything, she just used a word."
The conservative movement is morally bankrupt. I'm all for Romney hiring her as his spokeswoman.
Obama voter | 03.02.07 11:32 PM
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Romney didn't see it coming like ESPN was blindsided by Rush Limbaugh.
Obama voter | 03.02.07 11:34 PM
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maybe she thought Edwards was a member of the
Film
Actors
Guild
kelly garrett | 03.03.07 01:42 AM
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Should we expect anything less from either Coulter or Mitt? I guess the big difference between the two of them is that she's been filling our ears and her lungs with the winds of hate ever since she caught her first vocal break on the Paula Jones case. Poor misunderstood sailor Mitt has only been tacking toward the hate winds for the last three years or so. At least Coulter is consistantly atrocious. Gov. Romney won his Corner Office in MA as a kind, moderate, gay friendly candidate who has only recently turned on homosexuals when it became necessary for his presidential ambitions. Ms. Coulter is just helping Mitt learn the new vocabulary he'll need to win those far-right votes he cherishes so badly. This sounds like the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Two charlatans enjoying each other's company and playing to the crowd. Bravo, Mitt! You've finally shown us to what level you'll stoop in order to impress the radical right.
Donovan | 03.03.07 03:16 AM
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Give me a break. He knows what Coulter is, and how she expresses herself. He introduced her. She endorsed him.
NaR | 03.03.07 06:32 AM
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I'm so mad, I could hit her with my purse!
John E.. | 03.03.07 11:40 AM
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I don't make a habit of listening to Ann Coulter, but from the comments made here, I have the impression she is well known for associating politicians she doesn't like with homosexuality, presumably on account of their endorsement of gay causes rather than any evidence of sexual deviancy. That being the case, it seems to me that this comment about having to "go into rehab" for using the politically incorrect term may be a joke told at her own expense, recognizing her reputation for saying such things, rather than any serious declaration about Edwards. Incidentally, during the time of our "Founding Fathers", "faggot" was a term for a pile of wood collected for building a fire, or, perhaps, for hitting someone over the head. In that regard, I think Ann Coulter has been wielding "faggots" her entire career. ;-)
William Dalton | 03.03.07 12:03 PM
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The question isn't whether or not Romney knew in advance what Coulter was going to say. He has to have known her penchant for hostility and slander. The real question is what is he going to do about it NOW, especially after the group he is pandering to apparently LOVED it? Is he going to disavow it firmly and publicly? I doubt it.
Two members of the Christian right, engaging in lying character destruction of opponents.....what would JESUS think about that? Wasn't there something in the ten commandments that SPECIFICALLY prohibits exactly this kind of stuff. Whoops, I guess the commandment says only, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." I guess these two literal thinkers must believe that it is just fine with Jesus unless Edwards lives next door to one of his slanderers.
Edwards supporter | 03.03.07 01:12 PM
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Since Romney, McCain, Obama and Clinton are the current front runners, this is manna from heaven for Edwards.
Good.
He is the least despicable of them all.
Charlie Parisek | 03.03.07 01:52 PM
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great post--thanks...don't know if you've seen this video of Ann Coulter, but it's pretty classic:
http://minor-ripper.blogspot.com/2006/12/ann-coulter-gets-owned.html
Minor Ripper | 03.03.07 04:47 PM
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There once was a FELLOW named Ann,
Like ham, a pig in a can.
Where ever she went,
People wound vent,
“By golly, I think she’s a man!"
Bush Nomore | 03.03.07 06:22 PM
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to say romney's burden is "unfairly" placed is incredibly lame and ignorant
the GOP needs to own up to its embracing of anti-christian hate speech
its not unfair, its well-deserved
joejustice | 03.03.07 08:06 PM
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Why is everyone so mad at Coulter and Romney? Let me defend them here since they represent mainstream conservative values..
Coulter - Romney '08
How about this ticket with Ann at the TOP of the ticket and Romney at the BOTTOM of the ticket? Ann likes to use the word "faggot" and with this ticket with Romney at the bottom she will get plenty of opportunity to use her favorite word. Doesn't Mitt groom his hair very well??
Both Coulter and Romney represent the purest form of conservatism and teachings of Christanity. All the conservatives and Americans should be very very proud of them. So guys and gals just shut up and support this ticket..
********************
Coulter - Romney '08
********************
I can bet that they will in all 50 states.
Simon | 03.03.07 09:44 PM
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Where was all the outcry when this word was used multiple times in a number one song back in 1985 -- "Money for Nothing"?
Mark Knopfler | 03.03.07 10:37 PM
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Let's not forget that Ms. Ann has also called Al Gore a "fag." To suggest that Romney didn't know what was coming, or what has come from her lips before, is simply untrue.
John Aravosis | 03.04.07 01:18 AM
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mark, you're kidding, right? a song is a creative genre. that particular part of that song was being sung in the persona of an older generation, dullard appliance store worker, who was bitter about his low-paying job. he was deriding rock-n-roll singers with long hair on Mtv. imaginary. not a real person who sets herself before audiences as a mouthpiece for a real political party which has held this country in a theocratic stranglehold. how very disingenuous of you. breathe.
enjay | 03.04.07 11:56 AM
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not that surprised, the hotline has shown its bias for a while now. Go Romney right?
How about you stick to just reporting and let readers make their own judgments?
okamichan13 | 03.04.07 02:11 PM
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I am a Conservative and Ms. Coulter does NOT speak for me, thank you.
KYJurisDoctor | 03.04.07 04:08 PM
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I'm sure the poor innocent dear could have had NO idea at all what she might have been about to say. ;)
Henry | 03.05.07 04:26 AM
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Let me ask you something: would you knowingly introduce someone, praising them, if you knew that this person had a history of saying nasty things about others -- particularly things that bear no relation to the person's character -- then refusing to apologize?
Forget about Coulter. She's so yesterday. This incident says more about Romney, and what he'll do to associate himself with the ultra-conservative wing of the Republican party. I wouldn't vote for him if you paid me.
Exec Libra | 03.05.07 05:57 AM
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Hmmm! Could it perhaps be that Ms.Coulter is jealous of John Edwards? After all, he is much prettier than she is.I actually always thought she looked a bit like a drag queen.Sorry,I didn't mean to offend drag queens.
Patsy | 03.05.07 08:19 AM
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The extreme right has a unique skill of gaining support through their personal attacks.
Don Nicol | 03.05.07 08:22 AM
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Romney did not praise her. He made fun of her. Clipping the quote does not change that.
FSP | 03.05.07 10:35 AM
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I think she's very funny. Sure stirs the pot!
Roger | 03.05.07 12:16 PM
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Its less of an attack on gays and more of an attack on political correctness. Look how you all reacted you made her point. If someone were making slurs at a Christian you would all be agreeing with it. Double standards
Pat | 03.05.07 02:15 PM
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She's going to get "Worst person in the world" for like three days straight on Olbermann.
Jeff | 03.05.07 05:20 PM
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Our wonderful country is getting further-and further away from true freedom of speech-the only ones who have that right anymore are "faggots" and "ragheads". Excuse me, was that offensive?
Angeline | 03.05.07 08:42 PM
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Why yes Angeline, it was! Congratulations, your inability to post an intelligent comment has spoken for itself. GO FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
Antonette | 03.07.07 01:28 AM
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I don't claim to be a political genious of any kind, but I do know that our country is NOT what our Founding Fathers had intended it to be. We claim to have freedom of speech, but anytime there is contraversial speech an apology is demanded, and the person who made the comment is chastised for having an opinion. You shouldn't ask Ann Coulter to apologize for saying "faggot"...b/c she's not sorry...she knows what she's saying...you need to respect her right to say what she thinks even if you don't agree b/c it's not just some groups who have the freedom of speech, we ALL do...oh and by the way we were never garunteed the right NOT to be offended...free speech offends sometimes...that's just the way it is so get over it!
Amanda | 03.11.07 11:37 PM
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