Conservative commentator Ann Coulter — who has herself come under fire from the right for her past blanket support of perceived Republicans In Name Only — has come out swinging against GOP leaders she accuses of hijacking the party.
On Ms. Coulter’s list: Liz Cheney, for mounting a primary challenge against incumbent Republican Sen. Mike Enzi in Wyoming.
Also on her list, Politico reported: “I would put Todd Akin, Newt Gingrich, Liz Cheney, Mark Sanford all in the same boat, and the consultants who persuaded Linda McMahon and John Raese to run.” She said, during a recent appearance on Fox News’ Sean Hannity talk show that “the problem is we have hucksters, shysters, people ripping off the Republican Party for their own self-aggrandizement, for their own egos, to make money.”
Mr. Hannity defended Ms. Cheney, saying “she’s not a shyster, so let’s be clear.”
But Ms. Coulter nonetheless said the Republican Party was facing a host of problems — and many, from within its own ranks.
“Why should we be having — and I love Liz Cheney — but why should we be having a rancorous primary against a good Republican senator other than for Liz Cheney’s ego?” Ms. Coulter said.
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The conservative icon isn’t above criticism from within, either.
Over the past few years, many on the right, especially of tea party ideology, wondered why Ms. Coulter was so supportive of Mr. Christie for president, when the New Jersey governor touted views that were far from right on climate change issues, and even gun ownership. Mr. Christie also made waves among conservative communities for his blunt praise of President Obama after hurricane-gale winds decimated the New Jersey boardwalk.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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