Ann Coulter Cracks Up

Since we criticized Democrats for inappropriate speech at a funeral, we're going to similarly criticize a Republican for making what we consider inappropriate speech anywhere. Ann Coulter, a favorite of red-meat conservatives who is best known for her short dresses and sharp-witted tongue, stepped over the line--way over the line this week.

Coulter addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in D.C. before an audience of more than 1,000, mostly young conservative Republicans. The event is a must-attend event for top Republican luminaries and presidential hopefuls. Vice President Dick Cheney addressed the group as did Senate GOP Leader Bill Frist.

As another blogger describes it, "Coulter took her brand of performance art to new heights." Max Blumenthal offers us a sampling of some of the outrageus and offensive comments Coulter made while speaking before the conservative audience:

Coulter on Muslims:

"I think our motto should be post-9-11, 'raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.'" (This declaration prompted a boisterous ovation.)

Coulter on killing Bill Clinton:

(Responding to a question from a Catholic University student about her biggest moral or ethical dilemna) "There was one time I had a shot at Clinton. I thought 'Ann, that's not going to help your career.'"

Coulter on moderate Republicans:

"There is more dissent on a slave plantation then amongst moderates in the Republican party."

Coulter on the Holocaust:

"Iran is soliciting cartoons on the Holocaust. So far, only Ted Rall, Garry Trudeau, and the NY Times have made submissions."

Coulter on the Supreme Court:

"If we find out someone [referring to a terrorist] is going to attack the Supreme Court next week, can't we tell Roberts, Alito, Thomas and Scalito?"

Instead of laughing at her comments and holding her up as a symbol of their movement, conservative Republicans should be condemning Coulter's remarks. After Coulter's speech, Blumenthal approached Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist in the CPAC exhibitor's hall and asked him what he thought of Coulter's characterization 15 minutes earlier of Muslims as "ragheads." His reply? "I wasn't there so I better not comment." Not the answer we wanted to hear from someone who wants to be president.