The Coulter Controversy

Matt Lewis | February 02, 2008 4:50 PM

I haven't touched on this until now, but I think it's important to echo Hugh and go on record as condemning Ann Colter's irresponsible comment that Hillary Clinton would be better than John McCain. Her statement was patently absurd, provably false, and potentially dangerous.

John McCain, as everyone knows, is far from being a perfect conservative. But never mind conservatism -- Hillary Clinton is openly hostile to everything most patriotic Americans believe in.

Of course, there are the obvious fundamental differences between the two candidates:

John McCain is pro-life; Hillary is pro-choice. John McCain staked his future on Iraq; Hillary wants a withdraw. John McCain was in the Hanoi Hilton; Hillary Clinton was at Wellesley.

... But even if you don't care about these issues, the damage she would do to civil liberties, alone, is enough reason to fear her. Have we forgotten about the 90s? Well guess what: Bill Clinton didn't have the Patriot Act back then ...

What is more, it is likely that once ensconced in the White House, Hillary the pragmatist might just disappear, and Hillary the ideologue might return.

I heard one pundit put it this way: When was the last chance something in politics really scared you? It was probably socializing healthcare. If she was able to scare you like that as First Lady, what do you think she will do as President?

The most concerning thing is that Ann Coulter is putting her career ahead of the country. What is more, I think she has actually done damage to Mitt Romney -- and helped John McCain -- by over-playing her hand.

Being an "opinion leader" is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. There is no doubt that Ann Coulter says and does outrageous things merely to generate publicity. I have no problem with her wanting to be P.T. Barnum, except for those occasions in which it might actually hurt our country ...