The Lead

Because she’s good at what she does. Disclaimer: I’m no fan of anything Ann-ish. But if her goal is to sell a half million books, she’s well on her way. That, my friends, is success.

She’ll sell books to the like-minded, the unlike-minded (who would read the book as if they were looking at a traffic accident) and everyone in-between who wants to find out what the hubbub is all about.

She’ll go on the “Tonight” show tomorrow evening and rev it all up again by shaking her finger and her blond mane at us, and then she’ll get in an argument with fellow guest George Carlin. Then on Thursday morning, you can bet the “Today” show will show clips, the discourse will hit the blog world with fury and there will be wire stories about the battle. The well-planned battle. Designed to sell a lot of books. A lot.

There’s an old German proverb that goes something like this: a person selling a blind horse will always praise its feet. It’s like that with Coulter and any of her ilk. I’ve read plenty that gave us the old “any PR is good PR” line. I’m not a believer in that (remember General Motors and the make-your-own Tahoe commercials?). And to call what she’s doing “any” PR or even bad PR is to miss the point. She doesn’t care about those who denounce her, though some will buy her book. No. She’s speaking right at people who think like her. She’s targeted an audience with a specific message.

In that light, this is “good” PR. It’s also dangerous. So be smart out there, kids. Good PR isn’t always good for you.