Highlights of Ann Coulter’s book signing at the Women's National Republican Club in Manhattan

The moment I saw the sprightly-suited ladies heel-stepping through the halls of Women’s National Republican Club last night, commanding their Midtown Manhattan space and welcoming guests with smiles and greetings, I felt at home. Actually, their dignified, business-like examples reminded me it was time to step up my game, join their cause, and earn a place among them as a contributor worthy of their association.

Ann Coulter and Paul Klenk, WNRC, Feb. 1, 2017

We were there to hear author Ann Coulter dish out her usual buffet of red meat, wit, and blinding sunshine, and she did not disappoint. We were also hoping to participate in the Q&A, buy her latest book, and get it signed with an “Ann & Me” photo op.

Ann smartly kept her remarks entertaining but short, to leave ample time for questions. Before I took my turn at the mic, I was reminded by the moderator to ask one question only, no speeches, and keep it short. My ‘Compliment, Compliment, Question’ format was shot down. Sorry, Milo.

I decided to ask Ann about the enormous task of deporting from the U.S. the millions of people here illegally, framed as a moral question of practical mercy: “Would you object,” I asked, “of giving all illegals a choice (as long as they register with biometric identification): Either self-deport and apply to enter legally, and earn entry and possibly citizenship in the same line as everyone else; or stay as permanent legal residents, but forever give up any possibility of citizenship and government benefits?”

“Yes,” she said, reminding me of a passage in “¡Adios, America!: The Left’s Plan to Turn Our Country into a Third World Hellhole.” To paraphrase her, “That is a siren song for many, but it would be unfair to create a second class of people who are not citizens.”

She sold me. It truly is a siren song. A hard pill to swallow, but it must be all or nothing.

After the talk, I got in line and said hello to Ann. She was delighted to learn that she and I attend the same church. I left with a signed copy of “In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome!” and my Tweetable trophy photo. Success on all counts!

Other highlights of the night: Meeting Joe Q., Elliot, and Keith, three smart, affable gentlemen; and sharing time with friends John and Desmond;

Remembering life-defining moments at the club from years ago, including a speech by Ray Kelly I reported on which inspired one of my most significant pieces of writing, an article which not only got picked up by major papers and websites, but also was accessed by servers in Obama’s White House hours after publication, and the days and weeks that followed.

So glad I attended. Ladies, ladies, I hope to be back soon!

— Paul Klenk