Conservative author and pundit Ann Coulter is touting Donald Trump as the best hope for the Republican Party in a general election, she told HBO’s “Real Time” on Friday.
Her pick for the presidential nomination took host Bill Maher aback and caused laughter to erupt from the studio audience.
Maher asked Coulter: “Which Republican candidate has the best chance of winning the general election?”
Coulter’s response: “Of the declared ones? Right now, Donald Trump.”
After the audience laughter died down, Coulter added: “Romney-Walker’s my ticket.”
“But last time you said if we nominate Romney, we’ll definitely lose,” replied a stumped Maher.
“And I was right,” said Coulter.
Although she had supported New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s bid last time around, she is not supporting him in 2016. Coulter says Christie is too “flashy” and “idiosyncratic” to be given serious thought as a candidate that could actually win.
When compared to Romney, Christie is too much of a wild card, she said. “I think Romney would crush Hillary [Clinton].”
Maher jokingly responded, “I would do anything for Trump-Christie” to run together.
Coulter said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders “would be much tougher” to beat.
“Bernie Sanders?” Maher responded. “You think [he] would be a better candidate than Hillary?”
Coulter replied yes because Sanders, an independent, supports the middle and working class. Hillary is like “the elected Republican, she cares about the Chamber of Commerce.”
To that, all Maher had to say was, “Oooooh.”
