What would you do if a noted Conservative became a Liberal after some time?

[Taverner]

I am not talking something like Huffington's Paul of Tarsus moment. Or John Dean realizing "Wow. they really are throwing me under the bus!"

But someone like, say, Sarah Palin or Ann Coulter retiring for a while, and then coming back stridently progressive and liberal.

[ogneopasno]

1. I'd ignore 'em.

[Juche]

2. They'd still be nuts

Coulter or Palin, even if they were progressive, would still be the same irrational, hateful and uninformed people they are now. So I wouldn't really care. If someone like Grover Norquist converted though, that'd be fun to watch. Yes Norquist is not too bright either (he loved Palin, so that says alot about him) but he is very influential.

I'd rather see people who are influential within the GOP convert. Ralph Reed, Grover Norquist, etc.

FTR, David Brock, founder of media matters, was a diehard GOP operative back in the 90s.

[griffi94]

3. i would think that they finally noticed

that they're on the wrong side of history, and decided to make whatever adjustments were necessary, in order to stay in the public eye.
that would certainly beat having to get a real job.

[leftstreet]

I'd trust it just as much as I trusted their original talking points

I seriously doubt most of these people actually believe the crap they spew once they've chosen which side of their bread they'll have buttered.

I trust 'conversions' of everyday people.

[Mz Pip]

4. David Brock

did. He was villified by conservatives for jumping ship.

It happens. Better late than never.

[alfredo]

9. Andrew Sullivan is coming around.

[jobycom]

10. My first thought, too.

And my response so far to him has been that I don't trust him, but I listen to what he says. He's such a slick writer that even when I agree with him I wonder if he's just manipulating me.

[yardwork]

5. I'd assume that they were egocentric and not very thoughtful.

There are some notable examples of people going the other way, from supposedly progressive to neo-conservative. They were self-promoters back then, and they're still self-promoters.

Personally, I believe that Ann Coulter is doing performance art and doesn't believe a word she says.

[Taverner]

8. Ann Coulter is doing performance art

I wonder this too - in fact, some of her statements are so inflammatory, so hateful, it almost seems like someone posing as a Conservative. Kind of a "Mother Night" scenario.

Granted, I will believe that when I see it, but it wouldn't surprise me either.

[leftstreet]

12. I've always thought she was a Troll

Same with Limbaugh, O'Really, etc.

[Cary]

6. Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter?

:puke:

[Posteritatis]

7. If they meant it, that's cool. People, even conservatives, can change their minds (nt)

[billybob537]

11. I think an awful lot of people

are starting to realize Republicans are just using them for their vote and really don't give a damn what type of crazy ass psycho shit they have to use to get that vote.

[BulletproofLandshark]

13. Check the temperature in hell first, and then welcome them into the fold. n/t

[leftchick]

14. it happened to David Brock

that was a shocker!

[Occam Bandage]

15. I'd say, "Hello, Andrew Sullivan." nt

[DJ13]

16. I'd react the same way I was during the primaries

When all the old Clinton supporters were going on Fox News saying stuff I thought only Republicans would ever say.

[Jim Lane]

17. I'd treat them as innocent until proven guilty

If Ann Coulter flipped around and became a creditable advocate for our side -- making reasoned arguments, etc. -- then I'd be among those welcoming her with open arms.

If she supported our positions but with the Coulter style, though, I'd denounce her. It's interesting, as a thought experiment, to wonder what an Ann Coulter of the left would say. "The Republican Party is a collection of ignorant hillbillies and nothing more." "Every major CEO in American business is a crook, bar none." We don't need someone saying things like that.

[galledgoblin]

18. depends on the person and the record

in Coulter's case, I might respect her even less, since it would become even more clear that she is purely interested in media attention and the money earned from her latest book.