Diane Sawyer Interview Allows Ann Coulter
To Assert New Credibility For ‘McCarthyism’

Who can doubt America is in the midst of a right-wing era when on a morning talk show June 24^th, 2003, Diane Sawyer assumed the mantle of a TV journalist and conducted an ‘interview’ with Ann Coulter, the author of a new book entitled "Treason," and viewers were ultimately treated to a defense of McCarthyism.

As Ms. Coulter promoted her latest printed diatribe, Ms. Sawyer provided the format for a nationally televised discussion of right-wing philosophy, typically mixed with unsupported assertions, and last but not least, Sawyer allowed Coulter to couple it all with an attempt to lift the reputation of the late Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy out of the sewer of history, where it undoubtedly mixes easily with the effluent of fascist thought and Nazism.

Ms. Sawyer clearly feels none of the journalist’s traditional sense of obligation toward the public, the audience, since if she did it would be necessary to disclose her own strong GOP ties and her political background. Diane Sawyer, of course, was a most loyal aide to Richard Nixon, and went with him into political exile in San Clemente, California, after he resigned the presidency in disgrace.

After helping ex-Pres. Nixon organize the remnants of his political career, and begin the process of historical rehabilitation, Ms. Sawyer suddenly had career pathways opened for her and skipped past countless media personalities and actual journalists to quickly become a major TV news star.

Now, with her political past hardly recalled even by those in the media, Sawyer is able to offer a mantle of credibility to Ann Coulter, long the attractive darling of the far right. Coulter of course has a new book to peddle, and in this year of right-wing ascendancy and dominance, she is getting coverage she never got before. Who can recall her earlier works, which include High Crimes and Misdemeanors, a crass rehash of unproven charges against former Pres. William Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton.

That book was published by Regnery Publishing, which over the years has moved from traditional conservatism to right-wing polemics. "High Crimes" was among a list of books by Regnery that were identified by former right-wing author David Brock in his book, "Blinded By The Right," as "a series of faux Clinton investigation books." Ms. Coulter’s book was prominently named as one of the investigative fakes.

Ms. Coulter’s ideological work, up to now, never gained credibility outside of the closed loop of the right-wing. But now Diane Sawyer has elevated her, and what she allowed to happen on her morning interview show was truly amazing.

Sawyer, in her pseudo-journalistic role, offered Coulter soft and leading questions that opened the door for more than just a chance to promote her latest polemical attack on the Democrats and everyone who doesn’t believe in a right-wing credo.

Coulter was given air time on national television to attempt, perhaps for the very first time since the 1950’s, to resuscitate the reputation of Joseph R. McCarthy, the Wisconsin Republican Senator who gave his name to one of the blackest era’s in American history.

Ms. Coulter, with Ms. Sawyer sitting primly and attentively next to her, struggled mightily to twist the facts and shade the reality of McCarthy’s evil tactics, long recognized by virtually everyone as a phenomena that should never be repeated again in this nation. Ms. Coulter offered explanations and excuses for McCarthy’s tactics, and took swipes at accepted history. She unabashedly defended the late senator as though he was a great American who has been grossly misunderstood, and Diane Sawyer let the remarks pass without the slightest critical comment.

Apparently Coulter and her associates and supporters now think the time is ripe and the public is receptive to a revisionist look at McCarthyism. Perhaps this isn’t too surprising, given that hard right-wing conservatives are in full power, and right-wing radio talk shows are exceptionally popular, since the airwaves are largely free of any counterpoint, which means that a big lie told often enough will start to seem like the truth to average people.

Perhaps the strident efforts of the radical right have begun to succeed, and Coulter and her kindred are correct that the time is ripe, since, sadly, there was no discernible outcry over Ms. Coulter’s appearance and her comments.