In the spirit of political journalism, American political news correspondent and commentator Tucker Carlson encouraged debate last night at St. Anthony Hall fraternity.
"I will do my best not to impose my opinion," he said. "If you disagree, shout out louder!"
Carlson is a former co-host of CNN's Crossfire and MSNBC's Tucker and is currently a senior fellow for the Cato Institute.
The event was organized by College senior and St. Anthony Hall member Sam Dangremond, a former beat reporter for The Daily Pennsylvanian, who interned for Carlson last summer.
Carlson began his talk with a discussion on President Barack Obama's administration. Although he has followed Obama's campaign since 1996, Carlson said he still can't tell what kind of leader Obama will be. Obama is decent and intelligent, Carlson said, and he has the ability to communicate and sell his program, unlike George Bush.
"Obama is committed to do great things, as he appointed Hilary Clinton, the toughest person in the world, as a secretary of state," Carlson said. "To work with someone you hate or are uncomfortable with is the opposite of human nature."
However, he expressed concerns about the current political situation.
"There is almost no counterbalancing part. Republicans are disappearing," he said. Carlson urged Republicans to find consensus among themselves. The party should not blame its problems on others like the media, Carlson said, although he says the press loves Obama.
Furthermore, Carlson warned that the present "dominant party and pathetic party" system will cause serious problems. He said there was not enough debate before the government spent $4 trillion to bail out financial institutions.
"I lament lack of consideration," he said.
Carlson encouraged students to listen to those who do not share their opinions and not give in to prejudice.
College senior James Gallagher, who majors in international relations and politics, said he attended the event because of Carlson's reputation in political journalism.
Terry Frazier, an alumnus of St. Anthony Hall, said he was happy to have a "bright young fellow" come and talk.
"I am overwhelmed by the genius of the young man, but I must say that like most public speakers, he doesn't terminate every problem with wisdom," he said.
*This article was updated at 10:30 a.m. on 4/17/09 to reflect the correct name of the fraternity and that Carlson is no longer with MSNBC.
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