Controversy seems to engulf Ann Coulter everywhere she goes. There are accusations of atheism, lack of voting, sweetheart contracts, "power
structure" support, ad infinitum. Usually, it's safe to assume politics as usual, but one can't help but think - Where there's smoke, there's fire.

For the first time in many years, I went to the Pachyderm Club yesterday to hear her speak. I have some real concerns for the future of our city.

She talks about her faith and how important it is to her. That she wouldn't be a good mayor that stands for the city if she didn't stand up for her beliefs. All she's done is said where she's gone to church for the past few months, and that has nothing to do with standing up for your faith or your beliefs. So I pose the question - What do you believe in Ms. Coulter?

Ordinarily, one should care less, but I only ask because she has prolonged
this as a campaign issue. She touts faith-based initiatives on behalf of
the schools. Watching her commercials, reading her quotes and positions, you can't help but think that "thou dost protest too much."

When she's challenged for hypocrisy on where her campaign funds are spent versus her statement that Chattanooga vendors be given preferential treatment in city procurement, her campaign manager shoots back that Dan Johnson is the hypocrite for using a vendor in McDonald. Her campaign is using media consultants from Nashville who are well known Democrats. They do much more than buy media time, they produce commercials and are known strategists
within the Democratic Party. For someone who stresses how non-partisan she is and that she only goes with the best, Ann Coulter always seems to lean toward the activist left. At least Johnson and Littlefield have no problem stating where their political affilations are.

She was also asked about city competition against private enterprises, specifically the Chattanoogan Hotel and EPB telecom. I am not as concerned about EPB telecom, but when does the city need to go into the luxury hotel
business? She said that it wouldn't continue under her administration, but there is no evidence to support that. In fact, one can almost see a
consortium of buyers led by her Svengali to buy the Chattanoogan without the property being placed on the market.

Chip Wheeler
hixsoncats@hotmail.com