Editorial: A messenger of hate

Friday, June 29, 2007 | 7:21 a.m.

Ann Coulter certainly was on a roll this week.

And, unfortunately, most of it was broadcast on national television.

The acid-tongued, far-right columnist sparred with Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, when Mrs. Edwards called MSNBC's "Hardball" on Tuesday and asked Coulter, the show's guest, to "stop making personal attacks" on her husband.

Elizabeth Edwards had called about a comment Coulter made Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America" in which she said she "wished (John) Edwards would be killed in a terrorist assassination plot."

Elizabeth Edwards told Coulter that her personal attacks on John Edwards and other Democratic candidates "debases political dialogue" and "drives people away" from the political process. "We can't have a debate if you're using this kind of language," Elizabeth Edwards said.

What kind of language? Well, Coulter called John Edwards a "faggot" in March. The wicked witch of the airwaves has also made fun of Hillary Clinton's legs and compared Barack Obama to terrorists because his middle name is Hussein.

Of particular offense to Elizabeth Edwards were Coulter's 2003 remarks regarding Edwards' 16-year-old son, who was killed in a car crash. Coulter had said Edwards was driving around "with a bumper sticker that says 'Ask me about my dead son.' "

And for some reason, this astonishing display of poor taste sells - for awhile, anyway. For instance, ask Don Imus, who was pushed off the air after sponsors said "enough." At some point, Coulter also will become just another foul-mouthed commentator looking for work.

Until then, no one - not even her far-right followers for whom she purports to speak - is served by Coulter's vitriol. She is an embarrassment.