Dean versus Rove coming to UAlbany

The University at Albany "World Within Reach Speaker Series" is bringing a political debate between Karl Rove and Howard Dean to the University at Albany campus.

The April 8 event is sponsored by the Student Association, University Auxiliary Services and the Alumni Association.

Rove and Dean have made similar appearances at other schools, including DePauw University last fall.

SA President Josh Sussman announced to student group leaders at the "State of the Student Association" speech that the next edition of the Speaker Series will present a debate between two "political heavyweights."

Sussman declined to disclose the cost of bringing the speakers to the university, citing a clause in the contract. The ASP has filed a Freedom of Information Law request for the information.

Rove was Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush before his resignation in 2007 and has been tied to various political controversies surrounding the administration.

Dean, who was the chairman of the National Democratic Committee and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 democratic presidential nomination, may be most well known for the "Dean Scream" during a speech in West Des Moines, Iowa during the campaign.

SA Programming Director Reuben Ingber said that the SA is excited to present the debate.

"Both speakers each present different perspective on today's most challenging issues," he said. "That's why we picked them."

Planning for the event began immediately following the Colin Powell Speaker Series event on Oct. 10, Ingber said.

According to Ingber, other candidates that were considered for the upcoming Speaker Series were Steve Forbes of Forbes Magazine, Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post, and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman.

News Editor Damore Ramwa and Managing Editor Jon Campbell contributed to this report.