I am guessing that Coulter’s comment, which was clearly a prepared remark, was part of a Rovian strategy. The candidates in attendance will surely distance themselves from it, but they were the intended beneficiaries. Here’s my logic:
I am guessing that Coulter’s comment, which was clearly a prepared remark, was part of a Rovian strategy. The candidates in attendance will surely distance themselves from it, but they were the intended beneficiaries. Here’s my logic:
- Republican presidential victories depend on the "Reagan Democrat" vote. These voters tend to be lower-income and relatively uninformed on issues. They will vote against their economic interests because the like the candidate – because the candidate makes them feel safe or just because he (yes, he) seems like a good guy to have a beer with.
- The sad truth is that Hillary and Obama come to the table with obvious deficits in appealing to this type of voter.
- Edwards is basing is campaign on an economic populism designed specifically to reach out to this voter. I’m guessing that this scares the R strategists. Note how much play that video got with Edwards doing his hair – "See, Jim Bob! He’s effete!"
- Thus, the faggot slur. Coulter is the perfect instrument to get it out there. She’s newsworthy, and her career won’t be too hurt by one more outrageous comment.
- Uninformed Reagan Democrat voters will retain the slur in the back of their minds, combine it with the hair-care video and whatever else is later tossed out there, and -- voilà! -- Jim Bob doesn’t want to have a beer anymore with John.