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Perry vs. Christie; Coulter’s Contradiciton

Ann Coulter is a great conservative who does a terrific job explaining conservatism on interviews and in her columns. In her humorous manner she clearly defines the differences between the left and the right, and is never afraid to tell someone directly into their faces what she thinks of them.

I’ve noticed though that at times her humor and views are not necessarily strictly in line with conservative values. Yes, she’s very pro-life and right on the moral and other issues, but while she may preach certain values in public at the same time she lauds and supports individuals that don’t defend those very same values.

For example, the last several months, Coulter fell in love with a Christie campaign, although many other candidates and potential candidates are way more conservative than him. Coulter is never heard discussing Christie’s record, his position on issues, or how long he’s been Governor. Rather, she repeatedly stresses how no one’s as good as him and that he’s the only one who can come out strongly to challenge Obama.

In an interview last week with John Hawkin on Right Wing News, I was stunned to see the following:

Hawkins:

You’ve been saying for a while that you think Chris Christie may be the only guy who can stop Mitt Romney. How about Rick Perry, who’s also a big name candidate — and if not, why not?

Coulter:

Chris Christie could eat Rick Perry for breakfast — so to speak.

I can take a joke and enjoy her great sense of humor, but has Coulter ever researched who Christie is and what he supports? Coulter mocks man-made global warming and is anti-stronger gun control, so why from such a large field of candidates does she support Christie who’s not even running and believes in global warming and greater gun control amongst many other non-conservative beliefs.

Additionally, is Coulter aware how Christie became the Governor of New Jersey?

Christie was a popular U.S. Attorney whom the media hyped because of his center-left beliefs. True he had successfully battled many corrupted politicians with many landing behind bars; however his conservative credentials besides being a registered Republican amounted to promising to lower taxes. He ran in support of increased gun control, believed in man-made global warming, and wasn’t pro-life. Despite the above and more, he received support in the primary from the entire Republican Party from conservative Steve Forbes to the former popular Mayor Rudy Giuliani of neighboring NYC.

Christie played the role of popular U.S. Attorney with endorsements from all and lots of name recognition. He was ahead in the polls and it was clear to all that he’ll crush the incumbent unpopular Corzine and become the next Governor of the state.

Several months before the primary, Christie, the candidate who received the support of all major newspapers and politicians, faced an unknown challenger for the primary. A true conservative who had served as the mayor of a small town in NJ, Steve Lonegan campaigned on all conservative issues including shrinking the size of government, anti-gun control, anti-illegal immigration, pro- energy independence, anti-environmentalism, pro-life, pro-flat tax etc. Although Lonegan was articulate and passionate in his beliefs, he faced attacks from Giuliani and many others in the Republican Party because of his staunch conservative values.

Lonegan jumped in to the primary just a few short months before the elections and campaigned endlessly to build up his name recognition. The last several weeks before the election had him inching closer and closer to Christie, but time wasn’t on his side. When Election Day arrived he had bridged a tremendous gap without the help of any in the establishment, although Christie still remained ahead of the game.

At the time, it reminded me very much of the primary playing out between Charlie Christ and Marco Rubio, with the difference being that Rubio started his campaign enough in advance to reach out to voters and establish himself, which led to him beating Christ in the polls which caused Christ to run as Independent.

In addition to his popularity, Christie’s pockets were much deeper than his opponent’s and he was thus able to bombard the air waves and TV waves with ads against his opposition, Lonegan. All of the above resulted in Christie emerging as the victor though not with the overwhelming numbers originally predicted before Lonegan entered the race.

He won the primary with a mere 55% of the votes.

In the general election, Christie actually received endorsements not only from the right but from many on the left including the leftist environmentalist Seattle Club who endorsed him over the Democrat candidate John Corzine! How conservative does that make him appear? On top of the many endorsements, he faced a scandalized incumbent who led the state into deeper economic disaster which resulted in the people seeking for change.

When November arrived, Christie won with five percent of the votes.

And now Coulter wants to convince us that Christie can swallow Perry whole when Perry has a greater favorability than Christie, has won three elections, and has served as the Governor of his state for over ten years? All this is not even including the fact that Perry is far more to the right than Christie on most of the issues. Additionally, Christie’s unfavorable numbers are higher than his favorable numbers and he’s not even Governor for two years. I know New Jersey is a blue state, but Alaska’s majority is not Republican either and Palin had an approval rating of 80% before she was picked as McCain’s VP.

On what does Coulter base her claim that Christie, and only Christie, can beat Obama? Christie’s not proven to have fought tough elections in the past, is not a true conservative, has only a little over a year of executive experience, and is not even well liked in his own state!

In these tough economic times, Perry can point to his state’s financial success who’s unemployment numbers are lower than the national average and New Jersey’s. Anyone with the retort that Christie can’t possibly be blamed for his state’s terrible economy since it has preceded him and that he hasn’t yet had the ability to enforce changes; that too is exactly my point.  How and why could you trust this guy with the presidency of the United States when he hasn’t been Governor any longer than Obama had been senator before he ran for higher office? Are you looking for a repeat of ’08? Christie hasn’t even been Governor yet for the length of time Palin had been.

Coulter opposes Romney while supports Christie when they are on the same side of the table on many issues – and the opposite of conservatism. On the other hand, Perry is a staunch pro- life, anti-gun control, anti-global warming candidate and so are Palin and Bachmann.

Ann Coulter’s response on Sean Hannity when asked what she thinks of a Palin as president left me quite puzzled. You can watch the entire clip here.

She said; “I don’t think she’s going to (run) I think she should run for senate or something…….I think she’s a great voice for conservatism, ummm why bother running for president?”

Why Palin should bother?

Firstly, If she runs it will be much more than a bother, she will have to fight with every tooth and nail against the hating left; but she won’t do just to prove that she could win.

If she runs, it will be because this country needs a strong conservative to take control of the government and its out-of-control spending and there’s no one else that has the tools to fight the left like she does.

This country needs someone that has already stood up successfully in the past against her opposition, even from her own party, all so that her state would benefit.

In the same interview Coulter said she needs “someone who’s stellar and a cut above.” What makes Christie so outstanding? His only plus is his fight against unions, so then why not choose Walker who does the same and is a conservative to boot? If Coulter is a true conservative, what is it in Christie that she supports?

Palin had beaten a popular incumbent in the primary with no party support whatsoever and then took on and won in the general election against a former popular Democratic Governor. She had also served previously as a Mayor for two terms, thus gaining lots of executive experience.

Listening to Ann Coulter on Hannity, however, it’s obvious she knows only one thing. And that is, that Christie is the best. How about doing some research into his background as well as the history of the other candidates?

I believe that neither Christie nor Perry will run, and that Perry will endorse a Palin presidency, I simply felt compelled to question Ann Coulter and her unintelligible attitude.

Abie Rubin blogs at TheThinkingVoter.blogspot.com and can be followed on twitter.

 

 

COMMENTS

  • rightwingmom52

    .

    • izoneguy

      She works and lives in NYC most of the time. I understand she also has a house in Florida. I don’t know how many time she has been to Texas. Same thing – if you don’t live here you don’t understand. I have spent a fair amount of time in the Northeast. I appreciate Texas even more when I have to leave on short trips.

  • Scope

    is necessarily “right on the moral and other (social) issues.” Coulter was a very strong supporter of GOproud at CPAC this year. That would be similar to her overwhelming support of Christie who isn’t a conservative, but is rather a Republican. I would also consider GOProud Republican, rather than conservative.

    I think there have been some recent things I read concerning Palin that indicate to me even more so that she in fact isn’t planning on running. In a recent interview of Bristol Palin, she said her mother “definitely knows” if she is going to run or not. If that is the case, that she definitely made her decision, then I would have to believe that Roger Ailes also knows her decision, and, she is still on the payroll at Fox.

    With the whole flap about the guy that wrote the anti-Palin book, I think his name is Ziegler, he put out a challenge that he would bet $100,000 for anyone who took him up on the bet, that Palin would not win the 2012 presidency. Two of the heads of Conservatives4Palin took him up on the bet, but, with the understanding that it was only valid if Palin actually ran for the presidency. It’s easy to take someone up on a bet, if you already have some kind of inside knowledge.

    There is also the fact that Palin has not done anything in any state to set up even the first campaign team. I’m sure she has many supporters in every state, but, they don’t equate to campaign experienced teams. OTOH, Perry has already been quietly setting up campaign teams in NH and Iowa at least.

    It seems to me that Perry is making more moves to indicate a run. Palin said herself that if a good conservative got in the race, she wouldn’t. Palin has alot of respect for Perry, and I believe they are great friends. I would put it at 80/20 that Perry gets in, and Palin endorses him, and asks her supporters to do the same. In 2010 she truly was a kingmaker, and I think she knows that’s her greatest asset.

    • acat

      and she remains a private citizen, meaning her family are *off the table* as far as the media is concerned, and that she’s open to lob bombs at RINOs and Dems alike.

      My only concern is what role Gingrich may play in a Perry administration. Seriously, it cannot be coincidence that Perry’s staffers were prepping Gingrich’s campaign while Gingrich wrote the forward for Perry’s campaign book.

      A “Perry/Ginigrich” administration could be very effective …. but it could also end up about like Reagan/Bush – all the establishment folks waiting for the conservative to leave so they can get back to business as usual…

      Mew

      • powertothepeople

        had anything to do with Perry and Gingrich as a team nor will it end up being that. Most of those who jumped ship were just fed up with the way Gingrich was running his campaign, the way his wife stuck her nose into it, and the way he was imploding. Some of the biggest names to jump ship were in the fund raising area and they make no money if they can not raise money. They simply went to greener pastures in order to make a living doing what they do.

        As to some of the others, I still think after reading why they left, that it was the same as above and they simply want to be able to do the jobs they are hired to do. Gingrich has really treated this campaign much like Giuliani and Thompson did in 2008 and they knew it was a sinking ship that could very well drag down their careers.

        Perry is far from perfect and while I would happily support him had Bachmann not gotten in, I just can not see Perry wanting to bring someone so toxic into his staff, campaign, or cabinet and risk alienating many on the right of center.

        • Scope

          With elections every two years, and campaigns now starting up barely after the last election, the fundraisers and campaign folks go from campaign to campaign, with hardly a blink in between. I seriously believed Perry when he originally said he was not going to run, I think he was sincere. I’m glad his wife, as well as many others, have convinced him to reconsider. I feel 99% sure that he will get in. As to whose campaigns they work on, it reminds me of our ultra conservative Ken Cuccinelli, VA Atty. Gen. campaign manger, who a year later, agreed to be the campaign manager for now Rep. Robert Hurt, who was a well known tax raiser, and considered a moderate while in the State Senate. For them, it’s a job. I really don’t see any danger signals with Perry using those who originally agreed to work with Gingrich. I just don’t see it.

          • acat

            but does not himself believe in it, other than as a means to an end.

            Perry looks like a strong candidate, he’s not “bland” and Texas is one of very few economic bright spots so he’s got a good record to run on … but he’s made some moves that I find .. concerning… especially in light of the various Gingrich connections.

            I would very much prefer to support an actual conservative, someone who believes in these principles as more than just a tool to win an election… so am concerned when I see Perry linked to Gingrich, both in terms of staff and in terms of the book forward. A Perry/Gingrich ticket would concern me.

            Mew

          • earlgrey

            Ariana Huffington could go from working with Newt to founding the ultra-liberal Huffington Post.

    • rightwingmom52

      your first sentence. Are you saying that Coulter is not right or “correct” on social issues or that she isn’t right as in “not left”? I suppose it doesn’t matter because she is not liberal on social issues (very much pro life, favors traditional marriage, etc.) which in my view is a correct position. Some might infer from your statement that Coulter being a supporter of GOProud at CPAC this year is an endorsement of gay marriage, but that is just not the case. If you haven’t watched her speech about it, here’s a link:

      http://www.therightscoop.com/coulter-liberals-are-co-opting-gays-to-destroy-the-family/

      • Scope

        I agree totally that Coulter is very much correct/right on her “personal” views of the social issues. In fact, at one time at least, it seemed one of her favorite words was “faggot.” From her strong voice, and the many times she has brought those issues up, it would seem that they are near and dear to her heart.

        What makes me go humm about her is her very strong support of Mitt Romney in 2008. Romney was for it, before he was against it, and then for it again. From what I’ve read, way back in 1994 Romney, campaigning for the Mass. Gov. seat, he wrote a letter to a Mass. Log Cabin group, asking for their support, and promising he would fight for their rights if they supported him. I also believe Mass. was the first state to pass same sex marriage while he was governor.

        As Abie Ruben says in this write up, her current presidential pick, Chris Christie, is “personally” pro-life, but politically pro-choice, and I don’t know his marriage views, but it would seem he would be pro-choice with marriage as well, at least politically.

        Coulters connections to GOProud may in fact be to try to talk them into being straight, but I really don’t see any recipe for success in that. Coulter also supported GOProud as sponsors at CPAC this year, which in fact drove away some pro-family groups. That was even before Cardenas decided that GOProud will not be invited back if they push any gay agendas.

        So, in summary, I believe Coulter is “personally” great with social issues, but, has no problems with those that would have the elected positions to possibly push other agendas. That makes me personally wonder how hard Coulter would fight for her personally held social beliefs. I hope that answers your question.

  • izoneguy

    I believe that neither Christie nor Perry Palin will run, and that Perry Palin will endorse a Palin Perry presidency, I simply felt compelled to question Ann Coulter and her unintelligible attitude.

  • http://thethinkingvoter.blogspot.com abierubin

    Time will tell who’s right but I believe that Palin will run and receive Perry’s endorsement.

    I also believe that if at the end of the day Palin chooses not to run (quite unlikely in my opinion) then she will support Perry for 2012.

    Thanks for your comment and praise for this diary!

  • izoneguy

    Five Reasons Why I Believe Texas Governor Rick Perry Will Be Our President In 2013

    Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/06/24/five-reasons-why-believe-texas-governor-rick-perry-will-be-our-president-in/#ixzz1QVnhRENX

    1. Perry Has Created More Jobs Than Obama

    2. Perry Respects the Importance of Small Business

    3. Perry Understands the Issue of State Sovereignty

    4. Perry Has Core Convictions

    5. He Appeals to All Three Categories of Conservatives

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    I just heard her interviewed about her great book (they are all great) “Demonic” re leftism (Democrats) and mob behavior and yes, she never cites Christie’s record. more later

  • http://thethinkingvoter.blogspot.com abierubin

    and hear Kevin McCullough’s talk show frequently Saturday night. several months ago, before Huckabee pulled out of the race, he promoted him endlessly on his show and in columns…

    This guy is actually similar to Coulter in that when he hooks onto a candidate he can’t hear any bad about them nor any good about another.

    I respect Rick Perry and he’s my second choice for president. If he ends up being the candidate against Obama, I believe he can pull it. It doesn’t seem to me as though he’s truly planning to run.

    However, my first choice still remains Palin.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    top ten liberal acts in NJ . That is inexplicable esp given the research in her brilliant books.

  • Toby Calvert-Lee

    and I really think that either Perry will run and Palin won’t, or vice-versa. As they are rumored to be actual friends, and they are very similar in their views and individualist Conservatism, I don’t think there is enough room for both to run, and I think they realie that. Whoever does run will recieve the endorsment of the other. I really couldn’t care less which one runs, but I would campaign hard for both