Harry Smith Calls Coulter Goofy, Simplistic, Whining and Sophomoric

Harry Smith Calls Coulter Goofy, Simplistic, Whining and Sophomoric

By Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
January 6, 2009 - 11:09 ET

CBS's Harry Smith interviewed Ann Coulter on the "Early Show" Tuesday, and it was clear from the start the co-host had no interest in hiding his disdain for the conservative author.

In fact, he was downright rude from beginning to end referring to her as "a whiner," "goofy," "simplistic," and "sophomoric."

After his introduction of Coulter and her new book "Guilty," Smith said (video embedded below the fold):

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You know what? You want to be taken seriously. I think, I sense that. Right?

Is that the way to begin an interview with one of America's leading political authors? But that was just the beginning, because this was his next question:

Here's my problem: Because you try to be funny, because you have this kind of sophomoric sort of simplistic kind of view of so many things, the points that should be taken seriously, this whole section on single-motherhood would be, could, should be part of the American conversation right now. Because you're so goofy, who's going to take you seriously?

Wow. And yet folks like Smith probably think it's great that comedian Al Franken is about to become a United States Senator!

On a related note, readers should notice the following from the article about this interview CBS News placed at its website:

The watchdog group Media Matters explored what it asserts are inaccuracies in "Guilty." To see that assessment, click here.

I guess CBS News didn't feel it was important to disclose to readers the extreme liberal leaning of this so-called "watchdog group."

Can you imagine CBS News.com linking to a Media Research Center or NewsBusters piece debunking what a liberal said or wrote?

In the end, as Coulter is out promoting her new book, she is undoubtedly going to be subjected to such rude treatment virtually whereever she goes. It would just be nice if so-called professional journalists could try to hide their disdain.

Is that asking too much?

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.

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Harry Who?

January 6, 2009 - 11:22 ET by Red Jeep

99% of the country does not watch Harry's show. Don't know why Ann bothered.

She was happy about Smith when she was on Hannity

January 6, 2009 - 11:25 ET by StarAZ

Apparently CBS picked her up when Today 86ed her. Bet she isn't so grateful today. Like Kathy Griiffin, she loves to bug people. We already know Smith is unprofessional about hiding disdain. Disdain hiding ought to be taught in J-School. Is there still J-School?

Great Fun

January 6, 2009 - 11:32 ET by allanf

I thought Ann was having great fun pushing Smith's buttons.

She looked like she was

January 7, 2009 - 07:17 ET by BigSky1970

She looked like she was having fun. She even wondered if Harriet was going to read the quote lifted from her own book and he was like "Uh, no...". That was hysterical.

Blech.

January 6, 2009 - 16:30 ET by 5kidsnadog

I'm so disgusted with the not-at-all-veiled prejudices of the supposed to be impartial interviewers. He could just barely disguise the sneer on his face and in his voice when speaking to Ann. All I could think of was that soppy segment he did with Maya Angelou where he practically needed a dribble bib and a diaper after the election. I think the quote that I can't get out of my head was him saying "And I rise, and I rise" (a line from one of Maya's poems) -- I wasn't sure what was rising, but I have a good idea, and it ain't pretty. Made me wonder whether it was Maya or Barack that was making him so hot and bothered. Tone it down Harry (and tuck your prejudice in for gosh sake!).

They hate her because she

January 6, 2009 - 11:24 ET by mattm

They hate her because she kicks the crap out of them all the time.

You'll notice how they never actually refute anything...it just personal attacks, phony accusations and lies.

Ha ha, Ann kicked Smiths butt..

January 6, 2009 - 11:28 ET by MightyMouth

Smith: take a breath, take a breath, take a breath..

Ann: I'm breathing just fine...

She completely turned the tables on the interview.

"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...

Yay! Harriet's back in the saddle!

January 6, 2009 - 11:34 ET by SickofLibs

Well, Harriet Smith has finally emerged from the men's room with those shirtless Obama photos he absconded with a week or so ago.

He read 150 pages of her book? I could only make it through the minute and a half of this 6:50 clip. Right up to about where the finger-wagging started.

And I'm guessing the 'Exclusive' on the chyron refers to this being the lamest interview Coulter has yet to sit through?

Ewww...

January 6, 2009 - 11:49 ET by AgentAmerican

We knew that Harry the Hack was a pervert, but that was way over the top!

>:D

2010: A GOP Hill

I am surprised that he

January 6, 2009 - 11:35 ET by Seashell

I am surprised that he didn't try and hit on her like he did Jennifer Aniston.

Seashell,

January 6, 2009 - 11:45 ET by R D Helm

Probably because, unlike Jennifer Anniston, Ann would have slapped the snot out of him, live and in color.

:-)

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.

RD

January 6, 2009 - 12:11 ET by Seashell

Wouldn't that have been fun to watch?

Seashell,

January 6, 2009 - 12:19 ET by R D Helm

It would have made my day. :-)

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.

Pervy Harry

January 6, 2009 - 11:37 ET by Gothampc

Is that pervert Harry Smith still on tv? I thought after his creepy interview with Jennifer Aniston he would be banned to the underbelly of CBS.

Hey "Hairy"

January 6, 2009 - 11:41 ET by cvgbuckeye

How would you describe OLE Keeefus Olbermann. Likely a kind, intelligent genius, huh! If I had been sitting in Ann's chair, I'd have knocked you on your butt-crack at the first piece of name calling and then you could have described me accurately....................................from the floor.

I read the Media Matters psychobabble about Ann's latest book.

January 6, 2009 - 11:47 ET by R D Helm

So far, those mindless wonders have refuted exactly zilch.

I think Ann has another hit on her hands, and her latest offering will be appearing on the NYT bestseller list long enough to make the lefties squirm most uncomfortably.

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.

Harry the Hack at his Hackiest...

January 6, 2009 - 11:44 ET by AgentAmerican

Ann Coulter is a far better person than Harry the Hack, because she is far more intelligent, funnier, and truthful than he will ever be. Her book will be a best seller. I would pay to see her confront Olbermann, Shuster and Drooler in one room. She would make each one of them cry.

The leftist bastard media isn't going to let any fly violate their ointment in the wake of Obambi's coronation. I follow their insanity via Newsbusters, because I wouldn't be able to stand one minute of their utter garbage.

2010: A GOP Hill

Harry Smith wants to be taken seriously?

January 6, 2009 - 11:49 ET by Gary Hall

Harry Smith wants to be taken seriously? Speaking of downright "goofy," "simplistic," and "sophomoric" - not to mention goofy alarmism:

SMITH: Manhattan will be underwater by 2050

..and it was Harry Smith who, as he attempted to pin a "Gore 2008" button on Al Gore on national TV, practically begged Al Gore to run for President in 2008.

I make a concerted effort

January 6, 2009 - 11:51 ET by jdhawk

I make a concerted effort to never watch the crap that passes for "news" by the alphabet TV networks, but I'll watch a Coulter/Smith exchange any day. Suffice to say, she skunked him!!!

The only question remains is whether or not Smith will wear depends next time he interviews Coulter so that when he wets his pants he won't have to change his shorts until the end of the broadcast.

Hilarious . . .

Who is the clown?

January 6, 2009 - 11:55 ET by Andante

Smith reminds me of a smarmy reincarnation of Phil Donahue. He fancies himself such a deep thinker but he wasn't smart enough to realize that Ann, politely and with facts, made him look like a fool.

-------------------------------------

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Thomas Jefferson

What does it say about Harry Smith?

January 6, 2009 - 11:56 ET by KC Mulville

Think about this.

What does it say about Harry Smith that he came prepared with a quote that directly insults Coulter? (He prepared to insult her.)
What does it say about Harry Smith that he thinks the media is ignoring Coulter's points about single motherhood, because the media is turned off by her humor? (Which means that the angels of the people's right to know would ignore a serious issue, just because they didn't like Ann Coulter.)
What does it say about Harry Smith that he waited until the end of the interview, and then he tossed that quote at her? (It says that he's afraid of her. He waited until she couldn't respond.)

To sum up: it says he's a biased, cowardly, dim-witted jerk.

KC.. well put

January 6, 2009 - 12:03 ET by Gary Hall

..and I might add, he's "a whiner," "goofy," "simplistic," and "sophomoric." (;~> gary

Harry's new approach?

January 6, 2009 - 12:04 ET by zachlind

I was surprised with Harry Smith’s interview with Ann Coulter when he didn’t try to hit on her like he did Jennifer Aniston. After the Aniston episode I just assumed Harry looked at all the girls that were less than half his age as just another piece-of-#??? You know, the aging old-guy stuff. Could this condescending confrontational approach be a new tactic for Harry when interviewing the younger ones?

I think Anniston must be

January 6, 2009 - 12:25 ET by winston smith

I think Anniston must be livid by now that Harry Smith didn't ask Ann to reveal her age.

Smith: take a breath, take

January 6, 2009 - 12:15 ET by Firmworm

Smith: take a breath, take a breath, take a breath..

Ann is much smarter than that Harry old boy. As the saying goes......You lose your breath, you lose your turn.

Ann Coulter

January 6, 2009 - 12:17 ET by Semus

That's it I'm buying every book Ann Coulter writes.

ouch

January 6, 2009 - 12:19 ET by katainkent

man this interview is gonna leave a mark (on Harry). Wow his body language... He looks like he's ready to just squirm backward out of his chair.

"part of what I'm hoping to introduce as the next president is a new ethic of [government enforced] responsibility" - B. Obama

He tried to get her to cry

January 6, 2009 - 12:21 ET by winston smith

He tried to get her to cry victim about herself but Ann didn't take the bait. 6 minutes of pure joy watching a fearless conservative achieve something Americans rarely see on network television anymore -- promoting life, liberty, and the affirmation of the leftist, anti-American takeover of the MSM. I belly-laughed at the suggestion made by Harry Smith that the left and liberals are at greater risk of violence.

"A country teeming with left-wing violence."

So true.

Smith tried to sandbag Coulter - Epic Fail!

January 6, 2009 - 12:27 ET by OxyCon

By starting the interview with so many putdowns and by aggressively invading Coulter's personal space, it was obvious that Smith actually thought he was going to slice and dice Coulter and "put her in her place".

But poor Harry immediately lost control of the interview and ended up hunched back in his chair. Coulter steamrolled him. He had no answer for anything she said as she swatted away all of his attacks.

Watch the body language of this "interview", especially Smith's.

Even though I disagree with

January 6, 2009 - 12:37 ET by mikej

Even though I disagree with Coulters antics from time to time I wish more conservatives weren't afraid to stand up for what they believe like she does.

She never backs down and states her case with facts and logic. Which makes perfect sense as to why the liberals can't stand her.

shudder

January 6, 2009 - 13:38 ET by candance

Al Franken is about to be a senator, Arnold Schwarzenegger is a governor, journalists are busy printing dreamy photos of Obama on the beach, and many liberals cite Comedy Central as their favorite place for politics - but Ann Coulter cannot be taken seriously? Please.

Get back to me when the left has a serious apologist themselves.

I'm a typical white person.

Harry just wants Ann

January 6, 2009 - 15:05 ET by katiejane

to be boring so her books won't sell as well as they do. Typical liberal getting their panties in a twist when they are the butt of the joke. Ever notice how humorless some liberals are?

Some???

January 6, 2009 - 18:15 ET by choselife3x

More like, ALL.

In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.

Media Matters

January 6, 2009 - 17:53 ET by Arminius

" guess CBS News didn't feel it was important to disclose to readers the extreme liberal leaning of this so-called "watchdog group.""

Not to mention the fact that that "watchdog group's" CEO and pesident, David Brock, is an admitted liar.

Arminus... Hey thank you

January 6, 2009 - 18:08 ET by bigtimer

Arminus...

Hey thank you so danged much for pointing this out...it is very important.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Closing CYRON graphic:

January 6, 2009 - 19:50 ET by Deskpilot

CBS, America's Fastest growing network.

School teacher Civics assignment: Watch the news for a week

If NBC gains 1 new viewer per day, ABC 2, and CBS 3 while the rest of the class goes home and watches the NickNews, maybe that's how they count fastest growing. They certainly will never attain Conkrite and pre-Rather numbers.

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, You're welcome - Deskpilot, AM(H)1 (AW), USN (Ret)

This marketing tag line

January 7, 2009 - 11:27 ET by NorthCoaster

This marketing tag line doesn't say enough. CBS has some dynamite shows, but they are all fiction...........kind of like Dan Rathers big debacle in 2004. The shows are great but the news needs edited for truth.

The basics: who, what, why, where, when.