Fighting Back Against Hate

Elizabeth Edwards put Ann Coulter in her place yesterday, and today, on Hardball and on ABC, John Edwards made it clear that he is ready and willing to stand up to hate. Take a look at this clip, and then click here to help raise a little "Coulter Cash."

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Coulter Did NOT Make a Mistake

Say whatever you like about the inappropriateness of Ann Coulter's comments about John Edwards on Friday, but don't be naive. Ann Coulter is a seasoned political operative, and, on Friday, she did NOT make a mistake. She said exactly what she was supposed to say-exactly what she had planned to say. Not only were her remarks precise, but I wager that she and other Republican operatives weighed the impact and the likely fallout. They decided that having the idea that John Edwards is a (word I won't use here) floating in the news cycle and on the blogs was worth it. Her role is to say what the GOP wants in the media- they rely on her and others like her to say what the candidates can't. Being a tasteless bigot is part of her act. It's expected, and when it happens, the Mitts and Rudys can stand back and act appalled, while the rest of us beat on Ann- which is exactly what she wants. She is well-paid for her work.

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Hate Sells

Ann Coulter is a purveyor of hate. She uses hate-speech to call attention to herself and make money. On Friday, she pointed her guns at John Edwards. So far, so good. I'm for free speech and all that, but when the major candidates for the Republican nomination are in the audience along with the Vice President, then those who would be leaders have a responsibility to stand up and say that she was wrong. They have a responsibility to ban her appearance at future fundraisers. I hope that America is paying attention. These men who would be President have chosen her for their spokesperson. This is the callous hatred that is part and parcel of the extreme right wing. See the clip and learn what you can do here.

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