She’s had an orange thrown at her while discussing the confederate flag at Cornell University. She was recently fired from National Review Online for suggesting that the entire Middle East be converted to Christianity and has been dubbed one of the “20 Most Fascinating Women in Politics” by George magazine.
And on Sunday, controversial conservative columnist Ann Coulter will speak on campus in a speech titled “Terrorists and Their Left-Wing Sympathizers,” addressing U.S. military action in Afghanistan and recent protests on college campuses nationwide.
Her discussion and question-and-answer session, beginning at 7 p.m. in 175 Knight Law School, is part of a university tour presented by the Oregon College Republicans and the Young America’s Foundation. Coulter also made a stop at the University of Washington on Thursday and plans to speak at Oregon State University on Monday.
With teach-ins and anti-war protests most visible on campus, organizers hope Coulter will offer a different viewpoint.
“She’s very easy to talk to and very down to earth. She is feisty, though,” YAF lecture director Patrick Coyle said. “People will disagree with her, but that’s the whole point — to get her out on campuses where students may not have heard this perspective directly, and where a debate will definitely occur. We try to throw (speakers) into the belly of the beast.”
Coulter, who has been seen on NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “Politically Incorrect” and CNN’s “Larry King Live,” is the author of “High Crimes and Misdemeanors — The Case Against Bill Clinton.” She is also an attorney, formerly with the Center for Individual Rights, and has worked for Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, when he was a senator, on his Senate Judiciary Committee staff.
CIR, a non-profit public interest firm, has litigated many precedent-setting legal victories. These include Hopwood v. University of Texas, which invalidated the law school’s affirmative action program in admissions, and Brzonkala v. Virginia Polytechnic Institute, in which CIR successfully had the Violence Against Women Act declared unconstitutional.
Although he does not agree with many of the political analyst’s ideas, College Democrat treasurer Jed McGuire said Coulter’s diverse experiences give her an interesting perspective.
“I happen to have a fundamental difference of opinion (with her) on certain things, but I think she has a very impressive background and is quite good at what she does,” he said. “I’m not necessarily a big fan of hers, but it’s good to bring diverse speakers with diverse opinions to campus.”
College Republican vice chairwoman Lisa Catto said Coulter presents her views in a way guaranteed to grab people’s attention no matter what their views are.
“She’s very strong willed in her beliefs and doesn’t falter, and she probably does rile people up,” she said. “But whether you agree with her or not, she’s amazing to listen to.”
Stan Pulliam, College Republican chairman, agreed that no matter how people respond to her views, Coulter will make an impression on everyone.
“She definitely portrays one of the most conservative women in politics today,” he said. “Whether you love Ann Coulter or hate Ann Coulter, you’ll definitely be fascinated by her.”
Beata Mostafavi is the students activities editor for the Oregon Daily Emerald. She can be reached at [email protected].