Last night a number of Conservative groups and organizations on campus here at Florida State University sponsored a speaking engagement by Anne Coulter entitled, "Why Liberals are Wrong". Being politics dorks, a couple of friends and I decided to go to watch Anne Coulter, even though we aren't particularly fond of her (to put it lightly). Throughout her one hour canned speech (which needs updating to be more current, by the way, since she spent a large chunk of time discussing the soooo last year "Ward Churchill" controversy), a few points struck out that are worth repeating, if for nothing else than to gauge a peak into the inner workings of the jingoistic wingnut mind.
For starters, as indicated by the title of this diary, Ms. Coulter shocked me by telling the audience in attendance (which was, as expected, overwhelmingly all white) that the Democrats will most likely pick up seats in 2006. Before I had a chance to faint at such an admission, however, she quickly rationalized it away and unveiled what is likely to quickly become THE Republican talking point in the weeks leading up to, and proceeding the mid-term elections this year should Democrats pick up significant seats.
You see, it's impossible that seat losses for Republicans can't be due to a growing feeling in this country that Republican = incompetent, or that Bush's own ineptness will have turned the people off from voting Republican. It can't be that people are tired of promises of unending war, or cuts in essential services in the midst of tax breaks for the wealthy. Heavens no! Never!
Instead, "It's natural. It's part of the 6 year election cycle that the President's party - for whatever reason - loses seats in the mid-terms. It happens all the time. We shouldn't be surprised."
I think we can expect THIS talking point to gain momentum. Just wait and see!
Beyond this talking point still in its infancy, Ms. Coulter was simply flat-out WRONG in many of the things she said, and it was sad to see supposedly politically savvy individuals (after all, most of America doesn't even know who Anne Coulter IS) reveal themselves to be completely uninformed and misguided. Amongst some of the best that was met with raucous applause:
1. "Democrats choose to make "gay marriage" part of their platform, instead of reaching out to the good Christians of America, and then wonder why they don't get votes."
I'm confused, Ms. Coulter, because I'm not sure which Democratic party you're talking about. Last I checked, the official AMERICAN democratic party platform has NEVER included "gay marriage" as one of its foremost tenants.
2. "Democrats in the House couldn't even vote for their own Resolution regarding troop withdrawal" (referring to John Murtha's call for "measured" withdrawal and the subsequent resolution put up by a republican calling for immediate withdrawal... discussed on Kos here):
http://www.dailykos.com/...
- "Weapons of Mass Destruction have been found in Iraq (Just not stockpiles of them)...." This comment was made in passing... she didn't elaborate on it, and nobody called her out to explain.
- "Republicans and conservatives are "persecuted" and need to stand up for themselves." This persecution complex is of course something rife within conservative circles, especially the supposed "Christian persecution" that is endemic here in the US. Apparently, having control of all three branches of the government isn't enough, I suppose.
All in all, a fun night had by all. There were only feeble attempts by "Liberals" to confront Coulter during the "question and answer" session. The audience was probably 95% white, and you could FEEL the maturity in the room as one questioner with a "not stereotypically masculine" voice asked Ms. Coulter a question regarding gay marriage. Snickers, jeers, and giggles abound. I was almost embarassed for the lot of them.
Here are some "highlight" quotes a friend of mine was gracious enough to record from the evening:
Calm down, the men are handling this."
"The real question is will we find WMDs before liberals find the word 'sodomy' in the constitution."
"I want unwanted pregnancies and the clap." (referring to movies in Hollywood that glorify sleeping around)
"There are a lot of bad Republicans, but there are no good Democrats."
"Anyone who compares gay rights to black rights is racist." (I always chuckle when a Republican plays the race card in lieu of an argument)...
"They want to see torture, send me to Guantanamo."
"Feminists are unattractive, dowdy, whiny women."
"...without adults in the region." (referring to why the situation is like it is in the Middle East)
Other interesting tidbits: an audience member wants Alan Keyes to run with Newt Gingrich in '08, another thinks abortion should be made into first degree murder, universities are propaganda centers, Ann quotes 50 Cent and giving money to stem cells to cure Alzheimer's is apparently the equivalent of giving it to Ann for that purpose... and Republicans need to find and run the most staunch conservative they can find in 2008, rather than one they think is "electable," because that always ends in disaster for them (see for example, Bush 1, and Bob Dole).
It's a shame we have to share this nation with these types of people.