Chris Matthews plays hardball

Thanks to Think Progress for this gem from Jossip: how Chris Matthews handled the Ann Coulter controversy:

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Do you find her physically attractive, Tucker?

TUCKER CARLSON: I'm not going to answer that, because the answer, I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. That's not the point.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Positively.

RITA COSBY: Don't ask me that question.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Mike, do you want to weigh in here as an older fellow. Do you find her to be a physically attractive woman?

MIKE BARNICLE: I'm too old to be doing that. I had enough fights in my life.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: OK, Rita, do you find her to be a physically attractive woman?

RITA COSBY: I'll throw it back to you, Chris, do you find her attractive?

CHRIS MATTHEWS: You guys are all afraid to answer. No, I find her—I wouldn't put her—well, she doesn't pass the Chris Matthews test.

I kind of figured the Chris Matthews test was "She has a heartbeat" (or "He walks with a swagger"), but what do I know?

Ann Coulter may be a lot of things, but one of the things she is is a woman who is mistreated because of her gender. You don't have to like her--you can hold her in complete contempt--but she does not deserve to be picked apart or commented on because of her appearance.