Recently, Republican firebrand, Ann Coulter, gave a presentation at the University of California, Irvine. Her speech covered the gamut and included plenty of red meat talking points for the predominantly Republican audience. Red County's Jonathan Constantine then caught up with Ann via e-mail and had the following exchange...

RED COUNTY: You spoke about the reservations you had about fighting a humanitarian war in Iraq. Why does this worry you, as humanitarianism has been an element of General Petreaus's counter insurgency strategy?

COULTER: I didn't say I had doubts. I said the next president who takes the country to war ought to have doubts.  Iraq shows us the problem with a humanitarian war.  

The choice is:

1.) A humanitarian war like Iraq that carefully avoids civilian casualties and takes years to complete, allowing the Democrats and media time to demoralize Americans about the war;

OR

2.) A merciless war, like WWII, with carpet-bombing of German cities and nukes dropped on Japanese cities, largely unconcerned with civilian casualties, but which is over before incessant liberal naysaying has persuaded Americans that the war is lost.

RED COUNTY: UC Irvine has been called the "worst university in America" when it comes to the problem of radical Islam. How should concerned students deal with this problem?

COULTER: With cameras and tape recorders.

RED COUNTY: You seem disappointed by the Republican field of candidates and the nomination of John McCain. What is your profile for the ideal candidate?

COULTER: Conservative.

RED COUNTY: John McCain has said he is committed to appointing conservative judges, supporting tax cuts, and has been steadfast on the War on Terror. Why then do you have qualms about his candidacy?

COULTER: And he has said he considers Justice Alito too conservative, he voted against Bush's tax cuts twice, and he wants to shut down Guantanamo.  He also continues to promote amnesty for illegal aliens and attack President Bush.  He believes in "global warming" and doesn't believe in the first amendment.  McCain would be lucky to be running for "Bush's third term."

RED COUNTY: You had endorsed Hillary Clinton. Now that she is defeated who are you now considering for endorsement?

COULTER: I see no endorsement prospects.  I'll either write-in Ronald Reagan (if there is no hope to stop Hussein) or vote straight Republican with less enthusiasm than I did in 1992 and 1996.

RED COUNTY: At the AIPAC conference, Barack Obama seemed unequivocal in his support for Israel's security. Is this believable?

COULTER: No.

RED COUNTY: What does Hillary's loss mean for the Democratic Party? The Clinton legacy?

COULTER: The media polls about plurality-president Bill Clinton's wild popularity after admitting he was using a White House intern like an ashtray were greatly exaggerated.

RED COUNTY: What do you make of all the people turning on the Reagan legacy (for example Newt Gingrich on climate change)? Why the phenomena of the big government Republican?

COULTER: We need the younger generation of right-wingers to rise up and take charge.

RED COUNTY: Are there any rising stars within the conservative movement that you look forward to?

COULTER: Yes, plenty -- the great Steve King of Iowa is one of my favorites -- but "rising" means they still have to rise.  An Obama administration should give them plenty of opportunities, assuming the country can survive it.

RED COUNTY: Your speaking style is very provocative, have you considered a more politically correct tone with your audiences?

COULTER: No.

RED COUNTY: Is it more effective to sell the conservative message or discredit the liberal message?

COULTER: Both.