The Ann Coulter Comment on John Edwards

So. I was in the room when Ann made her comment about John Edwards:

I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I – so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.

(Video here.)

But I didn’t hear it. I think a lot of people missed it because no one around me, in the back at the press table, reacted visibly.

We were all startled by the fact that she cut her talk off so abruptly. I thought it was strange that she talked so briefly.

And stranger still that she went to questions and the microphones weren’t even set up. So there were these awkward moments while she was waiting for questions and no one was lined up for questions. She laughed nervously and clearly working to stay in control of the situation, told people to just shout out questions. Which, of course, the crowd packed with college-aged boys was happy to do.

Knowing now what it is that she had just said, retrospectively, she seemed to have been rattled.

Meanwhile, back in the exhibit hall, crowds were wrapped around the room waiting to have her sign her books. It looked a little like a camp-out before a rock concert, with kids sitting on the floor, some of them waiting for hours. Jack says bloggers are reporting this morning, however, that she left with scores of people still standing in line. (Link to follow when I find it.)