She's Back

By: Matthew Felling
Topics: 4th Estate Debate

(AP)

She's been rushed off of "The Big Picture with Donnie Deutsch."

She's been criticized for consistent cheap shots that draw media attention.

She's been denounced by the people she speaks for.

So what was Ann Coulter doing on C-SPAN last night?

If the cable networks are where we turn for some bombast and bloviation, C-SPAN is the calm and rational (if not occasionally soporific) voice of reason in the political conversation.

The content of C-SPAN might not always be thrilling, but it's nearly always important. They're the grown-ups in public affairs broadcasting. So why were they giving the queen of the political food fight a forum?

I decided to reach out to the folks at C-SPAN to get an idea of the decision-making process behind giving such prime-time real estate to a controversial figure. A speaker whom conservative bloggers have dismissed, saying "Coulter's invective is a sign of weak thinking and unprincipled politicking." (With friends like those …)

After a brief conversation with C-SPAN's Media Relations Manager John Cardarelli, I asked him if there were any concerns inside C-SPAN about the decision. He passed along this statement via e-mail:

No concerns with regard to airing the event--people make controversial statements on our air all the time, be they politically left-leaning or right-leaning. It's up to the viewers to decide whether they agree or disagree with what a particular person says.

I can understand the hands-off, let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may, stance on the part of C-SPAN. But this writer finds it incongruous that sandwiched in between C-SPAN's coverage of the Middle East Peace Process was a presentation by the woman who said she thought Jews needed "to be perfected."

I have to think there was something else going on in Washington, DC or Iowa or New Hampshire that could've generated a bit more light than Coulter's predictable heat.

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by krazykat2525 November 30, 2007 5:06 PM EST: this lady is absurd & doesn''t know the answers & is spouting answers she heard from somewhere so they must be true. The Bible clearly states that the Jews were God''s favoritest people, and Jesus was a Jewish person. If she loves God, she should love Jews.; Reply to this comment


by t23177 November 30, 2007 4:26 AM EST: To: raymo15

If Matthew is so boring, why still reading his postings?; Reply to this comment


by htophet November 30, 2007 1:32 AM EST: It seems every time real politics come into debate this shrill talking know-it-all gets air time but no questions, why do you suppose that is? If it were Mr. Gore you would have had some revealing questions, why does this obvious wacko get a free ride? Many believe the airwaves with few exceptions are run for and buy the same corporations that bought the last two presidential elections. Perhaps you could give her another interview with the preverbal kid gloves off to reassure the public of your objectiveness C-Span..; Reply to this comment


by algibbs3 November 30, 2007 1:01 AM EST: Sounds like just a bit of jealousy. Ann is smart ,witty and solidly conservative. I know you must hate it because so many people actually like her.; Reply to this comment


by johnnye6 November 30, 2007 12:09 AM EST: She was complaining about the 9/11 wives making money off of 9/11. Didn''t Giuliani do the same thing when he formed his security consulting group with Kerik and his only claim to expertise in that regard was to have the dust of a building fall on him. Of course all that speechifying prevented him from doing his civic duty by showing up for the meetings of the Iraq Study Group.; Reply to this comment


by raymo15-2009 November 29, 2007 8:46 PM EST: Matthew Felling...admit it...she''s smarter than you,not as boring as you (Morning Joe appearances are all the proof one needs) , not as predictable as you, and makes way more money than you. You really like her don''t you Matthew ? Come on, say it.... say it...she is so hot !!!; Reply to this comment