Sunday, March 04, 2007

Edwards Campaign Responds to Coulter Calling Him 'Faggot'

John Edwards has responded to Ann Coulter's remarks to the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. in which she referred to him as a "faggot":

"Ann Coulter's use of an anti-gay slur yesterday was un-American and indefensible. In America, we strive for equality and embrace diversity. The kind of hateful language she used has no place in political debate or our society at large. I believe it is our moral responsibility to speak out against that kind of bigotry and prejudice every time we encounter it."
Howard Dean also spoke out:
"There is no place in political discourse for this kind of hate-filled and bigoted comments. While Democrats and Republicans may disagree on the issues, we should all be able to agree that this kind of vile rhetoric is out of bounds. The American people want a serious, thoughtful debate of the issues. Republicans -- including the Republican presidential candidates who shared the podium with Ann Coulter today -- should denounce her hateful remarks."
Indeed, it does appear that her remarks were too much for many Republican supporters:
On Saturday, Kevin Madden, a spokesman for Romney said: “It was an offensive remark. Governor Romney believes all people should be treated with dignity and respect."

“The comments were wildly inappropriate,” said Brian Jones, a spokesman for McCain.

The remarks also drew disapproval from some popular conservative commentators. Ed Morrissey on his Captain's Quarters blog wrote: "Yeah, that's just what CPAC needs -- an association with homophobia. Nice work, Ann."

Michelle Malkin expressed disapproval, and at her Hot Air site regular contributor "Bryan" wrote: "I’m no fan of John Edwards, but that’s just a stupid joke. It’s over the line. The laughter it generated across the room was more than a little annoying. Last year it was 'raghead.' This year it’s calling John Edwards a 'faggot.' Two years in a row, Coulter has finished up an otherwise sharp CPAC routine with an obnoxious slur that liberals will fling at conservatives for years to come. Thanks, Ann."
However, Coulter refuses to apologise for the slur.
Coulter: “C’mon, it was a joke. I would never insult gays by suggesting that they are like John Edwards. That would be mean.”
She then, whilst taking questions from the floor shortly after she made the remark, showed that she can take as good as she gives:
"When a questioner asked Coulter why she praises marriage but broke off so many engagements, she responded by calling the questioner ugly."
You couldn't make that up.

Most of the mainstream press who reported on the CPAC conference omitted to mention Coulter's remark.

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