Wise Bread asks the question after Ann Coulter’s recent comments about John Edwards, “Does being a jerk pay?” Obviously in Coulter’s case the answer may be yes.
I’m not interested in what Ann believes. I’m interested in how she manages to survive by doing little more than upset people.
Of course, the press eats it up for fear of appearing biased and liberal. Fox News let Alan Colmes “talk tough” to Coulter before letting all the other commentators talk about just how great she is. This is how Coulter remains relevant. Even she seems to be aware of just how boring the whole routine has become. As she said to Alan Colmes on Hannity & Colmes:
I mean, this is the same thing we go through every six months. I say something, the same people become hysterical, and that’s the end of it.
And I think she’s right. Even though some more conservative people have jumped up to condemn her comments, this doesn’t hurt her. As Fox News Pat Caddell said:
It was very funny. They were raising money with it. So at least you raised money for them, Ann, but I’m sure it won’t hurt any of your book sales either.
If that’s the case and being a jerk or mean really pays (financially) what’s the advantage to being nice and lovable?
Does the jerk always win?
And to play hardball/devil’s advocate: Because Wise Bread is about being frugal/wise with our monies should we all be jerks to one another so we can be more financially sound?
