Coulter dropped from WorldNetDaily confab for being the “right wing Judy Garland”

A little over a week ago, Media Matters noted that right-wing author Ann Coulter is scheduled to speak at an upcoming gathering of gay Republicans:

Right-wing author and noted homophobe Ann Coulter is slated to headline “Homocon 2010” on September 25 in New York City benefiting the gay Republican group GOProud. On the event’s invitation, GOProud refers to Coulter as, “the right wing Judy Garland!”

It now seems not everyone on the right is as excited about “the right wing Judy Garland’s” scheduled appearance as the event's sponsor.

Earlier this evening, WorldNetDaily (WND) announced that Coulter had been axed from her role as keynote speaker for the right-wing outfit’s “Taking America Back National Conference” being held next month in Miami:

Conservative superstar Ann Coulter today was dropped as a keynote speaker for WND's "Taking America Back National Conference" next month because of her plan to address an event titled "HOMOCON" sponsored by the homosexual Republican group GOProud that promotes same-sex marriage and military service for open homosexuals.

Joseph Farah, editor and chief executive officer of WND, said the decision was a gut-wrenching one for his team because of their fondness for Coulter as both a person and writer-speaker.

"Ultimately, as a matter of principle, it would not make sense for us to have Ann speak to a conference about 'taking America back' when she clearly does not recognize that the ideals to be espoused there simply do not include the radical and very 'unconservative' agenda represented by GOProud," said Farah. "The drift of the conservative movement to a brand of materialistic libertarianism is one of the main reasons we planned this conference from the beginning."

GOProud may want to rethink its decision to host Coulter as she appears to make it clear to Farah in the WND piece that she’s only attending the event because she’s being paid:

Asked by Farah why she was speaking to GOProud, Coulter said: "They hired me to give a speech, so I'm giving a speech. I do it all the time."                       

Farah then asked: "Do you not understand you are legitimizing a group that is fighting for same-sex marriage and open homosexuality in the military – not to mention the idea that sodomy is just an alternate lifestyle?"

Coulter responded: "That's silly, I speak to a lot of groups and do not endorse them. I speak at Harvard and I certainly don't endorse their views. I've spoken to Democratic groups and liberal Republican groups that loooove abortion. The main thing I do is speak on college campuses, which is about the equivalent of speaking at an al-Qaida conference. I'm sure I agree with GOProud more than I do with at least half of my college audiences. But in any event, giving a speech is not an endorsement of every position held by the people I'm speaking to. I was going to speak for you guys, I think you're nuts on the birther thing (though I like you otherwise!)."

If you thought for a moment that this was a matter of Farah’s convictions, you’d be wrong. WND may be canceling Coulter’s appearance at its conference but it will still be running her column:

Coulter will remain a weekly columnist for WND.

"There's a different standard for columnists and speakers at our conference," Farah explained. "We boast the broadest ideological forum of commentators in any news or opinion publication or website anywhere on the planet – and we will continue to do that. We think people should hear all points of view discussed openly and honestly. However, this conference is a serious event designed to provide some real leadership for those who are serious about changing the direction of this country. There is simply no room there for compromisers or for people who accept money from those determined to destroy the moral fabric required for self-governance and liberty."

Perhaps Coulter’s column is less expensive to WND than her speaking fee?