Broadcasting locally on Philadelphia's 990 AM WNTP this Monday, New York Times bestseller Ann Coulter joined Dennis Prager to share her thoughts on the annual convention of the Conservative Political Action Committee held in National Harbor, Maryland from March 14th-16th.
When asked about her impressions of the event she noted the only speaker she was able to watch was Ted Cruz as she herself made a series of appearances on radio row and held a book signing event.
“So it was talking to people there rather than seeing CPAC and they were fantastic as always. They didn’t seem as demoralized as I expected, but you know young people are never demoralized. They weren’t even demoralized when we nominated John McCain and I warned them I am so sorry this is your first presidential election because it’s really gonna suck when he loses.” she said.
“Right, so you found them enthusiastic. And what did you think – did you hear Ted Cruz’s speech.” Prager inquired.
“I did and he’s one of my absolute favorite Republicans. For one thing, something you and I look for in a candidate, he’s very smart. And I’ve seen him speak before. I didn’t think this was his all time best speech but he’s really young. And I was watching it with a bunch of kids in back right after my speech.” she answered.
“We were watching it on this screen. And because we’re all juveniles we were making fun of it as he was speaking but I told them all you remember this moment because in a few years he’s going to be the best speaker in the Republican Party and you remember that we were sitting back here giggling at it. I mean it wasn’t a horrible speech. It was probably better than most speeches but I thought he went on a little long about his new BFF Rand Paul. He’s like twenty times cooler than Rand Paul. Why does he keep bringing Rand Paul up? she continued.
“Well Rand Paul won [CPAC’s presidential straw poll] by two points over Marco Rubio.” Prager observed.
“How did that happen you’re wondering?” she responded.
“Yes.” he prompted.
“Ron Paul used to win every year because these libertarian college kids – unlike libertarian adults like Richard Epstein and Gary Lawson for example – they are just consumed by groupthink. They really are like liberals this way. They remind me of those Howard Stern groupies who would obsessively call in to radio shows and TV shows or try to show up on TV…” she offered.
Prager recalled that he had experienced these antics himself with Coulter elaborating, “This is what…many of the young libertarians are like, but don’t worry they’re going to turn 16 and grow out of it.”
“Well that’s the hope because there are parts of the libertarian world that, I just, I find – the truth is, and tell me if I’m wrong [and] you disagree with me – other than small government, which of course is a huge issue…they have far more left-wing positions than conservative positions.” Prager stated.
“The young college students do, which is why they ought to put down their pro-pot signs and read some Richard Epstein, a true, probably the leading, libertarian in the country – also Richard Posner. They’re both at University of Chicago – and Gary Lawson a law professor up at BU. These are smart intellectual libertarians. There’s an awful lot we need to be privatizing now. I am more libertarian than these whipper snappers calling themselves libertarians. How about privatizing the New York City subway system, the bus system, how about privatizing the TSA?” Coulter pressed.
“Right, on these matters I am a libertarian too but when it comes to, well for example, legalizing pot –” Prager countered.
“Right, no, that’s all they know. And I find it appalling because I think it’s part of this groupthink. I mean I realized when I spoke to libertarians on John Stossel’s show it’s not even liberals I hate so much. I hate groupthink.” Coulter interjected.
“And the libertarians have it every bit as much as the college liberals I speak to. I give a lot of college speeches. And it was the same thing where you all have to cheer together. And you all have to boo at the same stuff. And I guess when you’re young and insecure feeling like you’re part of a group is important to you. If I was ever like that it would be gun to the mouth time. But ok, I understand the psychology of it.” Coulter maintained as the segment came to a commercial break.
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