US 2008 Presidential Campaign/Debate Discussion Thread - Part Catorce!

[MrsSpringsteen]

(AP) Ann Coulter wasn't officially invited to speak at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference -- many on the right were still upset at the bad publicity she brought last year after calling John Edwards a "faggot." But to no one's surprise, she showed up anyway, commandeering the spotlight.

Speaking before the Young America's Foundation, who invited her over CPAC's objections, the conservative author spent most of her time viciously attacking her party's new presumptive presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain.

No topic was out of bounds, including the five years McCain spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

"I know that [he was a POW]," Coulter declared, "because he mentions it more often than Kerry mentions he was in Vietnam. There were hundreds of POWs and we are not going to make all of them president. Can't we find a POW who doesn't want to shut down Guantanamo."

That was mild. Take Coulter's rationale for supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton's candidacy over McCain's:

"A serious case could be made to support Hillary Clinton," she declared, offering the analogy of Winston Churchill backing Stalin in the fight against Hitler in WWII. "I'm not equating Hillary Clinton to Stalin, and if I did I apologize to Stalin's decedents... I'm not comparing McCain to Hitler. Hitler had a coherent tax policy." Later, she added, "The only way I can promise that I won't vote for Hillary Clinton is if John McCain appoints her as his vice president."

Remarkably, Coulter's comments reflected what conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh predicted would be the reception McCain would receive from the antagonistic mainstream media.

"Once [McCain]'s got this sewn up you're going to see the Drive-By Media start doing stories on his age, and they're not going to be mean, they are not going to be vicious, they're going to be almost sorrowful," said Limbaugh. "I am telling you, if that doesn't work, they're going to go after this age business, and they'll do it almost regretfully."

And indeed, Coulter speech contained repeated subtle and not so subtle digs at McCain's age.

"He has been in the Senate for about 100 years," she said (he's actually 71), long enough "to vote on the Spanish-American War." She even declared, playing off the mutual admiration between McCain and the media, that "[he] is working for the New York Times obituary."

Coulter ripped him over policy issues as well, taking on his signature legislation McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform, as well as his vote against President Bush's tax cuts, and his stance on climate change. In the process, she contrasted the Arizona Republican with the GOP candidates that he bested for the presidential nomination.

"McCain and [Mitt] Romney are mirror opposites of one another," said Coulter. "Romney is a conservative who had to win votes from liberals in Massachusetts. McCain is a liberal who had to win votes from conservatives in Arizona."

As for former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani: He "enthusiastically supported torturing terrorists," she said to great applause. "McCain hysterically opposes dripping water down the terrorist's noses."

And what if the unthinkable happens, and President McCain is inaugurated? I've led an impeachment movement before, Coulter said, and "I can lead another one."

[martha]

After reading the last two posts, I've never been so proud of my country.

[U2isthebest]

Ann Coulter is an arrogant blowhard with the intelligence of an amoeba. She's an embarrassment to the decency of humanity.

[U2democrat]

I really like David Shuster. I happened to be watching when he said that, and I didn't bat an eye A poor choice of words sure, but I don't think he meant anything malicious by it.

Ann Coulter on the other hand...

[deep]

Originally posted by U2democrat
I really like David Shuster. I happened to be watching when he said that, and I didn't bat an eye A poor choice of words sure, but I don't think he meant anything malicious by it.

Yes, it was a fluid, back and forth conversation,
with these guys talking about how both Hillary and Obama were using members of their families in their campaigns.

Names mentioned were Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and Michelle Obama.

you see nothing wrong? Ok.

I will buy your statement as being objective and not bias.

If you will tell me that you would not "bat an eye " if he said Obama was pimping out Michelle?

[U2democrat]

I said it was a poor choice of words. He should have and could have phrased it differently.

I've got nothing against Chelsea Clinton, in fact I've felt quite sorry for her for the treatment she's received over the years.

That being said, I think things are being blown out of proportion.

[Diemen]

Looks like Ann Coulter is trying to become a stand-up comic.

[U2isthebest]

Has anyone else noticed that Ann Coulter has a giant Adam's apple? I'm just sayin'...

[deep]

Originally posted by U2democrat
That being said, I think things are being blown out of proportion.

and if he had said Obama was pimping out Michelle

you would hold this same opinion?

[anitram]

Why does McCain get a free pass on:

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."

Not only did he say it when Chelsea was only 17, but he also managed a classy dig at Reno's sexual orientation.

[deep]

you have to bear in mind who his audience was

I think the fact that "some people" consider that a joke
- and think it is funny
>is hilarious

[anitram]

I think it says more about him than the audience itself (that one was a given).

[deep]

in my heart (which most times is not rational)

I want to believe, he is laughing at his audience, not with them

it really is a stupid joke (sounds like Limbaugh)

[anitram]

I think you are giving McCain a free pass. Much like the media.

If Bill Clinton said something like that about one of Obama's daughters - imagine the outrage.

[deep]

Originally posted by anitram
I think you are giving McCain a free pass. Much like the media.

If Bill Clinton said something like that about one of Obama's daughters - imagine the outrage.

one comparision

perhaps we need a Dem candiadte to remark on a Republican candidate's child

so lets go with Bill Clinton saying something like

McCain's daughter Sidney, got her good looks from her mother and intelligence from her father

thank god, she was adopted

[joyfulgirl]

Originally posted by anitram
Why does McCain get a free pass on:



Not only did he say it when Chelsea was only 17, but he also managed a classy dig at Reno's sexual orientation.

Horrifying.


Chelsea has always been my favorite Clinton.

[anitram]

Originally posted by deep


one comparision

perhaps we need a Dem candiadte to remark on a Republican candidate's child

so lets go with Bill Clinton saying something like

McCain's daughter Sidney, got her good looks from her mother and intelligence from her father

thank god, she was adopted

You gotta throw in some gay innuendo too.

[deep]

Originally posted by anitram

gay innuendo too.

please explain?

I did a quick goggle search and saw this

McCain adopted her two children Doug and Andy, [25] a daughter named Sidney

and saw this

I guess the adopted daughter is Bridget not Sidney

I have a niece named Sidney

[anitram]

The Janet Reno part clearly to me reads like a dig at a very "masculine" lesbian. And I think that's exactly how he meant it.

[deep]

Originally posted by anitram


You gotta throw in some gay innuendo too.

Oh, now I get you

my comparison needs gay innuendo