Karl Rove: "My tail and horns are retractable."

I'm not sure if David actually got a chance to watch Karl Rove speak since he was busy capturing some excellent footage of CodePink outside, but I caught most of the speech on CSPAN.

There were really two highlights to the event. First, four students took Alex's advice and brought in a HUGE sign reading "WAR CRIMINAL" (seriously, how did you guys sneak that in?). Next, someone actually asked Karl Rove why people think he's a "fundamentally bad human being." To which, Rove replied:

"First of all, the tail and the horns are retractable...Look: I'm a myth! I mean, I'm like Grendel of Beowulf; I'm not often seen but people talk about me a lot. I don't know."

Thanks to Think Progress for the video.



Some things went unreported, however:

• Kyle Bowyer, SA VP-elect was there.
• I'm fairly sure someone yelled "Fuck you Karl Rove!", but everyone around me was laughing so I couldn't hear the response, but Mr. Rove said something quasi-witty because his "followers" laughed at his retort (can anyone confirm this?).
• He outright said that Bush didn't mislead Americans about the war
• He said that since Billary and Ted Kennedy said at some point Saddam was dangerous, it's a lie for Obama to say the war was a bad idea.
• The first half was about how bad Clinton vs. Obama is for Democrats and that they'll lose in November because of it.
• He tried to call out Barack on not being a professor at U. of Chicago, which is dumb, because the school published this press release stating he, in fact, was. People there bought it.
  
• The party I was at lost interest during the Q&A section so I didn't hear this first hand, but later a friend told me a student asked Rove if he still thought John McCain had an illegitimate black child in South Carolina to which Rove said "That wasn't me." (here's a Boston Globe article that reports otherwise).
• I realized that only at GW would students spend a Friday night caring about Karl Rove in any way, shape, or form.

I really encourage people to make this video a posted item on Facebook to share with your friends at GW and other schools. Let's see if we can get it to 5,000 views!

Code Pink @ 1957 E St (updated)

As has been covered extensively on this blog (including a call to protest), Karl Rove visited GW on Friday at the invitation of GW's Yong America chapter. Students were poised to protest but apparently ended up having better things to do Friday evening (or choose to do so inside). Code Pink on the other hand was there and made quite a ruckus outside 1957 E St., where the event was held. Here are two videos I took:



Also had a strange run in with "Karl"... I stopped filming when he stood 4 feet away and just stared at me...



There were over a dozen UPD and MPD officers outside to keep an eye on the protesters. It appears GW students have become accustom to such events and take it in stride. Note the student in the bottom left of this picture just sitting and reading a newspaper -- sitting between the cops and Code Pink that is.

UPDATED: Fixed typos, added clarification about lack of protesters outside.

Karl Rove is Coming to GW!

The Hatchet is reporting today that Karl Rove will be speaking at GW later this month.

Great! Maybe this time YAF will actually allow everyone to attend the event. The last time they hosted a speaker, I believe it was Ann Coulter, I was told that I could not get a ticket because I am on the Executive Board of the College Democrats, and our organization had come out against Ms. Coulter speaking at GW.

Its a shame; I really hope this time around, YAF allows other voices into the room, not just those who adore these conservative icons.

There are a few questions I'd like to ask Mr. Rove:

1. What was your role in the Valerie Plame leak? Did you confirm her status with the CIA to Mr. Novak, and if so, why didn't you come forward when the President requested you do so?

2. What did you mean when you said, "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers,"? Which liberals wanted to offer therapy to the terrorists?

3. Did you have any part in spreading the untrue rumors about John McCain before the 2000 South Carolina primary? If so, why are you now advising his campaign?

4. What role did you play in the firing of 9 US Attorney's last year? Aren't US Attorney's, by their very nature, supposed to be outside the political circus? If you are completely innocent, as you claim, why do you refuse to answer question from Congress, on the record and under oath?

5. Who convinced you to do the that dance at the White House Correspondence dinner last year?

I hope to get to ask Mr. Rove a few these questions, though I sincerely doubt I will have that opportunity.