Ann Coulter riles up the CPAC crowd

Ann Coulter gestures while speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.

/ AP

Right-wing author and commentator Ann Coulter was warmly received by a standing-room only audience in a ballroom at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday, garnering enthusiastic applause for her criticism of President Obama's policy on mandating birth control coverage for employees at religiously-affiliated institutions.

"This isn't a Catholic issue, this is a freedom issue," Coulter told an audience of conservative activists. The Catholic church has been the most critical of the Obama administration's decision.

Coulter said the birth control decision is part of a larger assault on health care freedom, which she said involved "every crazy liberal idea."

Coulter incorporated the "occupy" protests, Bernie Madoff, "Obamacare," pretty girls and the Republican presidential candidates into wide-ranging comedic commentary in which she attacked Mr.Obama discussed the issues faced by conservatives. She also sought to unite a party going through a bitter and longer-than-expected Republican presidential primary.

Coulter said the "only question" conservative voters considering a presidential candidate should be asking is this: "Who will have the most appeal to undecideds?"

For Coulter, the answer is former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Coulter attempted to persuade conservatives to get behind Romney and addressed the elephant in the room: Concerns about Romney's conservative credentials.

Of the four remaining candidates, "Romney is the most conservative," Coulter said. She told the crowd that Romney promised to repeal the the president's health care law and that they don't have to worry that he won't follow through.

Coulter attempted to ease concerns over Romney's other perceived flaw - a manner that some see as robotic and emotionless.

"We've had enough of hip," she said, referring to Mr. Obama without mentioning his name. "Hip has nearly wrecked the country. Let's try square for a while."

Coulter had to convince herself to support Romney. At last year's CPAC conference, she said New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was the only person capable of beating Mr. Obama, calling him the next Ronald Reagan who speaks in "bold truths." Since Christie decided against running, Coulter endorsed Romney in the fall.

Coulter said Friday that the feminist movement "set us back." In response to a question from a conservative female college student who asked about how to respond to those who question how a woman can be a conservative, Coulter said that "all pretty girls are right-wingers."

She said "right-wing girls" are both more beautiful and don't have to date liberal men, who she said treat women like Bill Clinton and former Congressman Anthony Wiener, two politicians who had inappropriate sexual relationships with women outside their marriage.

Coulter also managed to criticize dozens of liberal causes as well as liberal advocates. "Michael Moore is only one person and controls 33 percent of the world's cholesterol," she quipped.

[cjpc]

Why would anybody listen to Ann Coulter?? Do you remember when she accused "several Sept 11 windows of exploiting their late husband's deaths". It's obvious to me that Ms Coulter will say anything for attention.

[PyotrZumwalt]

Ann Coulter may be a deeply delusional conservative maniac, but I never would have thought in a billion years that she thinks she is pretty. According to herself, shouldn't this repellent, leather-bagged bonepile be a liberal?

[Jesus_to_ground_control]

Kiss that frog!

If you can't even woe your own party appealing to the undecided will be like Anne Coulter having a mobile kissing booth in every Republican Convention to promote women's rights...

[occupy_cbs]

The eventual republican nominee is moving to the right and probably will have to edge back toward the center in the fall. The farther he must go to the fringe to win the nod, however, the tougher his task.

While screeching ann coulter may think that catering to the tea party set and rush limbaugh is the only way to win the nomination, the eventual nominee is going to pay a huge price for that approach with swing voters -- those deciding the 2012 election -- in the fall.

[jennirobbins]

This tired piece of trash needs to sit down. Coulter has been nothing but a divisive moron on steroids. She says crazy bigoted stuff just for the pleasure of getting people angry. I've said it before and I'll say it again if the Republican party really wants to include more blacks, Latinos, women, they need to learn how to shut up the crazy yak boxes like Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity and company. There is nothing wrong with conservative beliefs and practices. But as long as these ignorant bigoted zealots continue to attach themselves to the Republican party, they should not even bother to ask why they are known as the party of hate.

[notreich]

You are completely wrong. Ann Coulter is not on steroids. Otherwise, she would have a little muscle instead of that scrawny chicken look. She says right here in this story though that she's pretty! I always thought she thought that.

[Spywriter007]

And Coulter yaps yaps yaps again... she clearly needs one of those no-bark collars installed around her neck.

[RulesofEngagement]

It would have to be an extra large collar to go around her adam's apple.

[levelheadedtoo]

Conservatives, you have no choice in the candidate you are required to vote for. A few super wealthy men made that choice for you. You all know the steps required of you. First denial, then anger, then acceptance. Rick Santorum said "Democrats get along and Republicans get in line" The GOP line is forming and everyone in it is holding their nose.

[raymailhot]

Why does liberal America take such offense at women and bIack people that are conservative?

The feeling with many is they are out of line and need to be punished for not following the democrat prescribed beliefs!

Maybe people with a mind of their own could crumble the whole system?

[nancy_naive]

The willfully ignorant offend everyone.

[raymailhot]

Nancy, I don't believe I would call the democrats that, but I must agree!

[woodyinSC]

Coulter looks like the High Priestess of a coven of Right Wing Witches. Talks like one, too. All the Right Wing Babes on the CPAC anti-Occupy panel on C-Span yesterday were no better. A bunch of of yellers, screamers and ravers. WHEW!

[kevjustice]

oops! she's showing her adams apple in the photo! lol! probably used to be ADAM coulter! lol!