The Political Chase

News outlets beginning to drop Ann Coulter

While the rate of news outlets dropping Ann Coulter’s column is not as rapid as the stock market decline last week, some are ceding to pressure and wisdom. That’s good and not-so good news.

Editor and Publisher is reporting that at least seven of approximately 100 media outlets have exorcised the Coultergeist. E&P has contacted some of Coulter’s clients and received lame excuses for continuing to run the column. For example, Michael P. Clark, editorial page editor of The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville, said, “She didn’t use that language in her column.”

Although the current rate of dropping Coulter may not be breathtaking, seven percent of her client base is much better than none. But, let’s look at this pragmatically. It has only been about a week since Coulter issued her proclamation that John Edwards is a “faggot.” Getting newspapers to remove her column, when the editorial board may have not even thought about it, will take time.

Absent pressure from the public and particularly their subscribers, conservative papers will probably not rid themselves of this creature from hell. Obviously, that means increased and consistent pressure from the grass roots campaign. Pleading a well organized, substantiative case, can make a difference.

Some things to consider:

• I suggest removing as much emotion as possible from any correspondence.
• Proffer facts and capitalize on professional ethics.
• Cite known organizations that have already exorcised the Coultergeist.
• Demonstrate consistent bad-girl behavior patterns by citing specific incidents from a well established Coultergeist history.
• If at all possible, send a real U.S. mail letter rather than email.
• Capitalize on competition to the extent possible (X paper/company in your market has already undergone an exorcism).
• If you know or can obtain demographics that are applicable and helpful, use them.