Edwards incensed by Coulter's 'faggot' jibe

When the right-wing writer Ann Coulter opens her mouth and directs the usual tirade of invective at some individual or group, the reaction of the wisest people is usually to ignore her. Responding to what she has said simply encourages her. Best to give the matter no additional oxygen.

But in a twist that provides an insight into how one of the leading Democrats seeking his party's nomination for the presidency has decided to proceed with his campaign, the former senator John Edwards has decided to fight back. Mr Edwards, who was the Democratic Party's candidate for vice-president in the 2004 election, found himself in the crosshairs of Coulter late last week when she was delivering a speech to a group of conservative activists in Washington. Having criticised several Democrats, she concluded her speech by saying: "I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word "faggot"... kind of an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards."

One might have presumed that Mr Edwards would have simply ignored the 45-year-old's comments. But instead he responded with a statement condemning her. "Ann Coulter's use of an anti-gay slur yesterday was un-American and indefensible," he said. "In America, we strive for equality and embrace diversity. The kind of hateful language she used has no place in political debate or our society at large. I believe it is our moral responsibility to speak out against that kind of bigotry and prejudice every time we encounter it."

Coulter, the author of five best-selling books including High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Case Against Bill Clinton, is not a mainstream commentator. But she is hugely popular on the lecture circuit and well known by political partisans - something Mr Edwards and his campaign team are keenly aware of.

"This is perfect for him. The idea is you set up a straw man or woman and attack them," said Larry Sabato, professor of politics at the University of Virginia. "This is classic red meat for the partisans. He knows what he is doing. Her comments go in one ear and out of the other. This is just primary election strategy."

The incident may also reflect Mr Edwards' memory of the error his presidential running mate, John Kerry, made during the 2004 campaign when he failed to convincingly respond to critics and smears.

Most polls currently place Mr Edwards in third place of declared Democratic candidates, trailing Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. One of the challenges for Mr Edwards is keeping in the public eye at a national level as he continues to work to build grass-roots support.

Mr Edwards' campaign manager, the former congressman David Bonior, sent an email to supporters urging them to help raise $100,000 (£52,000) in "Coulter Cash" to aid campaign efforts. "This is just a taste of the filth that the right-wing machine is gearing up to throw at us," he said.

Ms Coulter has responded by seeking to create further controversy - accusing Mr Bonior of supporting terrorism.

Coulter on...

* MUSLIMS: "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity."

* VOTING: "It would be a much better country if women did not vote. That is simply a fact. In fact, in every presidential election since 1950 - except Goldwater in '64 - the Republican would have won if only the men had voted."

* DEMOCRATS: "In the history of the nation, there has never been a political party so ridiculous as today's Democrats. It's as if all the brain-damaged people in America formed a voting bloc."

* BUSH: "The thing I like about Bush is I think he hates liberals."