Elizabeth Edwards vs. Ann Coulter

Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 6:54 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
The wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards called into MSNBC’s “Hardball” on Tuesday to confront Ann Coulter on her personal attacks on her husband and family.

Coulter, the controversial conservative commentator, appeared on an outdoor set with host Chris Matthews -- and also with dozens of supporters and detractors waiting to ask questions. But there was another person waiting to pose a question to Coulter: Elizabeth Edwards.

According to an Edwards campaign aide, Elizabeth Edwards wanted to call into the show when she heard that Coulter would be taking questions, and she called a Hardball producer to get the phone number needed to dial into the show. The result is the exchange below:

Chris Matthews: You know who's on the line? Somebody to respond to what you said Edwards yesterday morning -- Elizabeth Edwards. She wanted to call in today we said she could. Elizabeth Edwards go on the line you're on the line with Ann Coulter

Elizabeth Edwards: Hello, Chris.

CM: You wanna say something directly to the person who's with me?

EE: I'm calling you … in the south when we -- when someone does something that displeases us, we wanna ask them politely to stop doing it. Uh - I'd like to ask Ann Coulter -- if she wants to debate on issues, on positions -- we certainly disagree with nearly everything she said on your show today -- um but uh it's quite another matter for these personal attacks that the things she has said over the years not just about John but about other candidates -- it lowers our political dialogue precisely at the time that we need to raise it. So I want to use the opportunity … to ask her politely stop the personal attacks.

Ann Coulter: OK, so I made a joke -- let's see six months ago -- and as you point out they've been raising money off of it for six months since then.

CM: This is yesterday morning, what you said about him.

AC: I didn't say anything about him actually either time.

EE: Ann, you know that's not true. And once more its been going on for sometime.

AC: I don't mind you trying to raise money. I mean it's better this than giving $50,000 speeches to the poor.

EE: I'm asking you

AC: Just to use my name on the Web pages…

EE: I'm asking you politely…

AC: … but as for a debate with me, um yeah, sure. Yeah, we'll have a debate

EE: I'm asking you politely to stop personal attacks.

AC: How bout you stop raising money on the Web page then?

EE: It didn't start it did not

AC: No you don't have cause I don't mind

EE: It did not start with that you had a column a number of years ago

AC: OK, great the wife of a presidential candidate is calling in asking me to stop speaking

CM: Let her finish the point...

AC: You're asking me to stop speaking stop writing your columns, stop writing your books.

CM: OK, Ann. Please.

AC: OK

EE: You wrote a column a couple years ago which made fun of the moment of Charlie Dean's death, and suggested that my husband had a bumper sticker on the back of his car that said ask me about my dead son. This is not legitimate political dialogue.

AC: That's now three years ago

EE: It debases political dialogue. It drives people away from the process. We can't have a debate about issues if you're using this kind of language.

AC: Yeah why isn't John Edwards making this call?

CM: Well do you want to respond and we'll end this conversation?

EE: I haven't talked to John about his call.

AC: This is just another attempt for –

EE: I'm making this call as a mother. I'm the mother of that boy who died. My children participate -- these young people behind you are the age of my children. You're asking them to participate in a dialogue that's based on hatefulness and ugliness instead of on the issues and I don't think that's serving them or this country very well.

APPLAUSE

CM: Thank you very much Elizabeth Edwards. Do you want to -- you have all the time in the world to respond.

AC: I think we heard all we need to hear. The wife of a presidential candidate is asking me to stop speaking. No.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

"Vox et praeterea nihil" Ann. Say nothing but good of the dead.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, June 26, 2007 11:53 PM)

As a wife and a mother I would have done the same thing. You don't get to mess with our husbands and children. Disagreeing on issues is one thing but blatantly trying to hurt someone and their family is another. The only reason for Ann to say those things is for her on personal gain, I put her in the same boat as Rosie O’Donnell. As a republican I am ashamed of Ann Coulter!

Sara Beth Warner, New Mexico (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 1:01 AM)

Ann Coulter,
Find a brain in the near future so you can actually "talk" with someone that has a brain.
You can't call yourself a "talk show host" when you don't "host" or "talk"; sadly, you need to be the "show" or you can't accept it. Small minds require small thinking.
Don't bother to reply, as I am sure it would only be a sarcastic statement to justify yourself to yourself.

Larry Crouch, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 2:09 AM)

What a vulgar, disgusting human being. I'm no fan of Edwards--in my books, he's a double-talking opportunist--but Ann Coulter is quite simply, a vile human being.

Kevin Bailey, Fort Worth, TX (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 2:17 AM)

Ann Coulter is the devil, Chris was right when he said that he wouldn't be able to get to confession fast enough.

Carl, Houma, Louisiana (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 3:00 AM)

Chris should be ashamed to have slimey Coulter on his show. He sat there and rarely refuted her lies. Is he so in awe of her? Then, he smiled while Ann Coulter talked over Elizabeth Edwards and let her dismiss her vile statements in the face of a very brave woman. Chris is not so brave.

Jeanne Fischer, Rocklin, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 3:29 AM)

Why are you still giving air time to Ann Coulter? I fail to see what she contributes to your network. Her "shock value" has become predictable and is no longer "shocking"...just annoying.

Jess Buel Bremerton, WA (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 4:27 AM)

Ann Coulter is to American politics what Paris Hilton is to the American pornographic industry: amoral, bored, self-indulgent exhibitionist who trade on being shocking and provacative. Their shared anorexic talents are equally ingenious, creative, original and talented.

They are as equally memorable as they use what cleverness they muster to ruthlessly promote themselves, seeming to care not a whit what danger they recklessly pose, not just to themselves, but to all others who stand by watching in faxcinating disbelief. Paris and Ann both seem to feed on an almost veneareal craving for attention and publicity even if they appear not to notice the disgust and snickering they elicit from the public and a fawning media. Their self-indulgence is intensely unattractive and not at all as alluring as they try so hard to convince themselves.
Paris and Ann are joined at the hip however freakish and trashy people view their meanness.

Tom Leo East Hampton, NY (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:17 AM)

Ann C. Coulter is the lowest form of media worm and you, Chris Matthews continue to give her a forum. I have watched your show loyally for years on a daily basis but after yesterday's show, you sunk below the ratings grabbing that I thought was beneath you. You were the moderator of a presidential debate. What gives you credibility for that kind of role any longer. You cannot say that you would give over our show to such exploitation and have credibility. You should be ashamed of yourself as should your producers. Imus should have your show.

Stephen Jaffe (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:34 AM)

Some will go nuts when I post this, but I think, both of them are right and both of them are wrong.

Ann is wrong to hurl personal attacks , but she is right to assert that she has 1st Amendments Rights to be an idiot.

Elizabeth is wrong to use every single attack against her husband to raise money for his campaign, but she is right in confronting Ann Coulter.

Okay, you may all shoot me now.

DesparatlySeekingThirdParty (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:58 AM)

Is there nothing the Edwards' won't do for sympathy??? The Breck Girl (John Edwards, not Elizabeth) just can't connect with the American voters. How many of those New Orleans refugees could he put up in his 20,000 sq. ft. mansion?

John Smoe, Bullhead City, AZ (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 6:49 AM)

Too bad Chris Matthews wasn't hosting a TV show back in the early 40s, he could hyave performed an act of oral 'appreciation' upon Adolphus Hitler himself and then asked "What's all the Fuhrer about?" Swiftboat-styled endlessly-repeating echo-chamber right-wing pro-fascist false journalism is bad, it just sucks. Some people don't deserve a platform. ...free speech? Yes! ABSOLUTELY! An internationally broadcast television platform? Absolutely not. Chris Matthews has abused his position at MSNBC for about a decade now, MSNBC should FINALLY grow a pair and fire him and just go ahead and give Ann Coulter his job and his paycheck. We'll see how long THAT Michael Weiner Savage-situation lasts.

http://www.ByeGeorge.Org is one of my websites and I realize now that it needs a companion website named http://www.ByeChris.Org - watch for it, because it IS coming SOON! Until then, check-out http://www.MediaMatters.Org and http://www.NewsCorpse.Com

Father Coughlin's Nemesis (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:05 AM)

Why do Democrats have no sense of humor at all? Ann was mocking Bill Maher, who said he wished Cheney had been killed by terrorists. Where was mizzzzzzzzz Edwards when Naher was making jokes?

Danny Carlton, Catoosa, Oklahoma (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:12 AM)

Ann Coulter is right.
The candidate's background and history should be fully discussed, debated and exposed the same way NY Times, CBS and Washington Post did to George Bush.
Ann should be allowed to express her opinion, position and ideas like Chris Matthews, Frank Rich, Greg Crawford and others express theirs'.

Rom, Metuchen, NJ (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:15 AM)

keep irritating the left,ann...they deserve everything you say...they've been debasing the debate for decades...

Modd Tymer (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:21 AM)

Ann Coulters flippant attitude, and dismissal of Elizabeth Edwards requests was appalling. Mrs. Edwards called as a mother....to ask that woman to stop attacking her family. Coulters attitude that because it was a couple of years ago....or a couple of days ago, it doesn't matter is such a crock. She was rude yesterday during the phone call to Mrs. Edwards. I understand that is her style, which is why I don't pay attention to her. MSNBC would do better to have credible individuals on their shows instead of a blonde who thinks way to much of herself. People with substance and character, not a nut job just trying to sell books off of her looks and calling it political commentary.

Mary Drennen, Laurens, SC (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:23 AM)

If anyone has a way of, permanently, shutting up Ann Coulter, let me offer a $100.00 towards the cost.

Richard Hyer, Jr. (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:24 AM)

This is typical Ann Coulter -- she avoids the topic Elizabeth Edwards presents, tries to turn it around to make herself a victim ("The wife of a presidential candidate is asking me to stop speaking"), then after the call engages in ad hominem attacks.

Edwards is right -- Coulter debases political discourse. I know Coulter is brought on shows because her attacks are perceived as "entertaining," but she ads nothing of substance to the shows.

Rod Carveth, New Britain, CT (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:30 AM)

Ann Coulter uses debate techniques that distract attention away from the issue. She does not address the question, and her statements are typically of ugly content. Her debate techniques are not legitimate. Those that are most responsible for her ascendency to publicity are those that buy her books and those that put her on television. She should be ignored for not engaging in legitimate debate.

Jonathan Katz, Columbia, MD (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:32 AM)

Thank you Elizabeth!! It's hate speak that is tearing this country apart. My mom always taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. It's unfortunate that more parents didn't teach that and folks like AC are given air time to spew garbage.

TMB - New Haven CT (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:33 AM)

I don't think that Elizabeth Edwards should have wasted her time calling in to Ann Coulter. You can't get through to someone who has a reprobate mind. Ann Coulter is totally lost. Elizabeth would have had more success trying to explain the Middle East crisis to my five year old.

Kim Scales (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:42 AM)

I love it! Anne COulter showed the arrogance of the Edwards and just how out of touch they are. More proof that the left wants to watch what you say with censorship.

Mark, Delafield WI (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:43 AM)

Why is so called responsible media giving her a venue for her to spew her hate agenda? Your at fault not her.Is this all it takes to be on t v? outrages hate filled rants.

Jerry Anderson Galesburg Il. (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:49 AM)

It's easy to understand Coulter, the controversial conservative commentator. She makes big bucks doing what she does so why should she stop. It's clear to me, she has sold her sole to make money. Just another reason to vote against what she stands for. Keep up the nasty remarks about good people, you are more help than you realize.

George Day (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:53 AM)

Ann Coulter is an angry and insecure, person. Mrs. Edwards is a sweetheart. They are miles apart concerning what is an unhealthy personality and what is a healthy one. If what goes around comes around is true,or God is watching us, Ms. Coulter is in big trouble.

bb (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:53 AM)

I have never before in my life responded to a poll or sent comments to any media about anything or person. But, I must say that the interview-exchange between Ann Coulter and Mrs. Edwards showed what a sick, twisted minded person Ann Coulter is. MSNBC should never have staged young teens behind this woman, giving the impression that the teens supported her evilness. Shame on MSNBC.

B. E. Travers, Richmond, VA (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:04 AM)

Chris, you obviously are pleased with the ratings you will get over this and subsequent interviews to talk about this. Bottom line is that AC is slime. Ann Coulter has the right to say whatever she wants, but I would hope that as this election season proceeds that you will consider hosting folks with serious views and not bullies trying to make a buck by personal attacks.

JDA, Cary, NC (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:08 AM)

Coulter is just an ugly person. Matthews should have known better than waste airtime on this juvenile crap. There are lots of other folks who can present the same policy viewpoints in a more mature manner, and those ought to be the folks MSNBC and Matthews present to their audiences.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:08 AM)

I've read this exchange several times, and Anne Coulter continues in her trademark style of offering a quip instead of responding to a legitimate question. For a woman who I suppose wants her comments to be taken seriously, she only turns to poor humor to respond. I can't even describe the difference between Eizabeth Edwards asking her to stop using personal attacks and asking Anne Coulter to stop speaking, yet that's the concluson Coulter draws. I applaud Elizabeth Edwards for confronting this behavior.

Denise Gorsline, Moorhead, MN (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:11 AM)

Dear Mr. Matthews -

Shame on Ann Coulter! And shame on you, Mr. Matthews, for not calling it like the viewing audience saw it - Ann Coulter is a bully and had no intelligent rebuttal to Elizabeth Edwards other than to accuse her of trying to curtail her freedom of speech. Coutler knew she was being made publicly accountable for her cheap shots and she reacted as all cowards do - she made a flimsy attack on the person who had the nerve to stand up to her. In no way did Elizabeth Edwards remotely suggest that Ann Coulter "stop speaking" and had I been in Mrs. Edwards' shoes, I would have asked to meet with Coulter on your show face to face and ask her to look me in the eye and repeat what she said about my dear dead son. If Mrs. Edwards had been allowed more air time, no doubt Coulter sooner or later would have resorted to the childish 'I know you are but what am I'...

I just saw your interview on Today, Mr. Matthews. To call Ann Coulter an 'agent provocateur' is to give her too much credit. I think the term 'sh** disturber' hits closer to the mark. It's easier to fly off at the mouth and say things to provoke an arguement - just ask any parent of a 14-yr-old - than it is to make a thoughtful comment that provokes intelligent debate.

Perhaps it's time people take a harder look at Coulter. Her body language (shoulders hunched inward, hair flipping) is not the posture of someone who is secure in their own skin. Her hair is her security blanket, which is why Coulter touches it and flips it back when she is feeling threatened. How are her finger nails? If they aren't well-manicured it's a dead giveaway that this isn't the most confident woman in the world, no matter what comes out of her mouth.

BTW - What is it with Ann Coulter and the black cocktail dresses before 6 pm? Someone tell her to get a clue - the aging call-girl look is not attractive...

Joan Yakimischak (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:13 AM)

I am so incensed at this moment that I find it difficult to put into words the disrespect I have for Chris Matthews to even allow this so-called "lady" named Ann Coulter to have an avenue to spew her hate. At what price do we need to boost our ratings, Chris? To quote a famous attorney at another famous trial some years ago, "Have you no shame?" To allow a forum for this "snake" to spew her venom is like having Hitler on to boost your viewing public. She has made a fortune out of appealing to the worst in people. Do you have to aid and abet her?

Shame, shame, shame on you!

Lila Richman (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:17 AM)

I watched this outrageous interview with Ann coulter. Chris Mathews was very weak with Annie C...
It showed that he does not ask the difficult questions.

Go Elizabeth!!!!!

Harry Mohr, Baltimore (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:18 AM)

Ann Coulter is above all a school yard bully who uses hate speech to threaten and silence those who disagree with her. In polite society, we learn at a very young age that we should refrain from name calling and taunts in order to communicate effectively. Her speech amounts to little more than mean-spirited grade school rhetoric. She has proven herself to be a homophobic, insensitive, and viscious hate monger, yet programs like yours continue to give her a platform from which to spew her venom. Hate speech is hate speech--silence her now!

Dr. Jeffrey Schneider, Griffin, GA (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:18 AM)

Dear MSNBC,
By the constraints placed on this blog by MSNBC, Ann Coulter herself should not be allowed to blog on this site or issue comments on any subject, since she uses innappropriate language and attacks the comments of others, rather that debate the meat-and-potatoes issues. I think it's embarassing and shameful for Chris Matthews to decry her inappropriateness and demagoguery on the one hand, and then to accept the extra money coming in from sensationalism garnered by her "I'll say anything for a buck" attitude. She is to journalism what Paris Hilton is to the Hotel Industry--a guaranteed audience that gathers mostly to get a glance at the most hated woman in America. Cancer, children dying young, intentionally false innuendo put forth about candidate's personal lives...she is the worst nightmare of the Founding Fathers, regarding how the Freedom of the Press clause Bill of Rights would be interpreted, 200 years on. I would like to know what her "job" is so that I could perhaps follow her around and see what her bumper stickers read, who she has lunch with, who is sneaking out of her house in the early morning hours, etc. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Kurt Peterson (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:18 AM)

ANOTHER REASON Y I STOPED WATHCING C. M HARD BALL HE IS FULL OF CRAP

GARY ROTH (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:20 AM)

Ann Coulter is simply a money gubbing bitch. This 'writer' is all about publicity at any cost to those she choses to bring into her small world.

Akburn (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:20 AM)

the campaign till must be nearly bare to resort to this. It reminds me of the story about the farmer who held the lantern so his wife could chop the wood and then bragged about it. noone would have known about the edwards son till they brought it up

patty britton (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:22 AM)

And thus is why Ann Coulter is a insane moron. She has No right to bash on anyone about their son who has died in thier youth. As Christian that I be I say Ann Coulter will be judged by God when her time on this planet comes to a end. Elizabeth Edwards I support your Husbend John Edwards. ( I'm a guy btw)

Jess,Urbana,MO (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:27 AM)

Elizabeth Edwards is right on the money. Coulter and her ilke stoop to diverting from the issues and reduce focus to personal and in this case hurtful issues - it transforms Hardball from an insightful forum where all sides of a debate can be aired into a circus worthy of Jerry Springer. Coulter, I'm sure she has something to add to our society - if only an example of how not to conduct yourself in a public forum. I hope you never sell another book based upon the contoversey you stirr up. Edwards - 1, Coulter - ZERO.

Kevin Mobley, Allen, Texas (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:29 AM)

Ann Coulter is a foul-mouthed hack who is making a fortune off of ignorant right wing extremists who buy her trashy fiction novels. I love how they eat up her hyperbole! These are so-called religious folks who laugh when she advocates killing or calls people outrageous names. I am glad the majority of Americans are waking up and walking away from the outlandish pundits who have divided our country for so long. Elizabeth--you're a class act.

Karen Maxwell, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:30 AM)

Typical twisting and turning of words from Ms. Coulter. Nothing redeeming about this womans personality. Just viciousness for viciousness sake. Such a wonderful poster child for the republican party. NOT!! She embarrasses my party.

Joy. NM (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:31 AM)

What Ann Coulter fails to understand is the fact that Elizabeth Edwards is not asking her to stop speaking, but rather to engage in an intelligent conversation. However, what Elizabeth fails to understand is that Ann is incapable of comprehending civilized complicated thoughts and ideas. Ann is like a child that is attempting to revolt by dumbing down every argument to its simplest form. What is surprising is the fact that although there are always people like Ann Coulter in the world, I find it funny that a major political party is constantly reaching out to her. Shame on the Republican party for continued invitations and acceptance of Ann Coulter at major party events and fundraisers.

Derek, New Haven, CT (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:33 AM)

So Ann Coulter made a joke.......I hope I hear what she has to say if she ever loses a child.....when all of a sudden, all this BS she throws out means absolutely nothing in light of her child being dead. She just doesn't have a clue about real life! I'm sorry for her and her empty stone cold heart.

Charlotte Pensacola, FL (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:34 AM)

I have a problem with Ann Coulter. She is generally style and no substance, and the style is bad. There are conservatives that I respect whose opinions I may disagree with, but I recognize that they have actually studied and thought about the issues. Ann is not one of them.
My real issue is that Chris Matthews or his producers have given her a platform from which to spew her venom. I do want to hear all legitimate points of view on issues that face our country, but we don’t need to hear from the self-promoting Ann Coulter.

Michael Yantorno, Darien, CT (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:36 AM)

The paper which is used to print stories about Ann Coulter should best be used to clean up after toileting, if you get my drift.

Mike A. (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:39 AM)

This women talking about Elizabeth Edward's child has mental issues. How she can sleep with herself at night is beyond me. But by the way she dresses for a formal middle of the day interview on Hardball, she probably doesn't. I strongly suggest to every true American enough is enough. Politics is not going after a canidates dead son.

Ann Schmitt (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:41 AM)

Why does MSNBC and Chris Matthews give a platform to someone like Ann Coulter? All she does is promote herself. She appears to be the Paris Hilton of politics. All show and nothing to add. What is she doing now promoting a new book? That is usually when she comes "out" of the shadows.

Charles Buzbee, Hammond, Louisiana (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:45 AM)

How ironic that the ambiguously gendered Ann Coulter has smeared John Edwards with an anti-gay slur, and mocks the death of his son. Edwards, a dedicated husband,father and a public servant has put his good fortune and hard work into the service of others.
Coulter, single, middle aged, and amean spirited harpy from hell, serves only herself and the sales of her bile filled books she hawks to the hate mongers of the radical right..

mike kohr Princeton, IL (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:47 AM)

anyone who would pay any attention to anything ann coulter has to say should get they're med's adjusted

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:48 AM)

Good for Ann!

Brian, Rochester Hills, MI (Sent Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:49 AM)

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