I know most of you are probably sick of Ann Coulter already (I don't blame you), but I thought this clip was really worth posting. Air America's Rachel Maddow was on Countdown last night and hit all the right notes, making the important point that Ann is the face of -- and represents and speaks for -- the rabid CPAC crowd and young conservative movement that continues to encourage the Ann Coulters of the world and allows them to thrive. That's the lesson we should all take away from this.

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"I know that Ann Coulter needs publicity in the same way that a tapeworm needs a large intestine. This is the environment that makes it possible for her to continue to make a living doing what she does."

CPAC knew exactly what they were bargaining for when they invited Coulter to speak at their event. They knew she would say something outrageous and that's exactly what much of the crowd wanted to hear. Believe it or not, Ann's performance actually elevated her status among the "red meat carnivores" that now comprise the activist base of the Republican party; the same people who loudly cheered her on. Not all conservatives are happy, as was mentioned in the clip. But still, there's enough people that keep bringing her back and giving her a platform that we shouldn't expect her to lose too many of those lucrative speaking deals at college Republican events. As John Avarosis points out, the same cannot be said of the responsible parties who are now pulling their ads from her website.

UPDATE: At least one newspaper is pulling Coulter's column now too.