When I heard Karl Rove was speaking on campus I was ecstatic — elated some may say. Karl Rove is a leading political operative for the GOP and a genius. I thought of the potential. He could speak on a number of topics from his political philosophy to campaign strategy on a state and national level to his views of media influence in elections to reflections on his life in politics to what it is like to sit in the room with the president of the United States. The list goes on. However, when he finished speaking I left with a feeling of disappointment.

While Rove and I may have differing views of political philosophy and the role of the government, I was disappointed he simply followed GOP talking points and provided tangential stories and thoughts. I was disappointed that the College Republicans did not hold him to a higher standard. I was disappointed in the Q-and-A session that asked badly phrased questions with no follow up. I was disappointed the interviewer had the chance to ask him truly thought-provoking questions and did not. I was disappointed in both the College Republicans and Democrats for having a captive political audience and not even having a table for people to register to vote. I was disappointed that it was simply a campaign speech for the GOP. I was disappointed in the apathy of our campus.

I wanted to hear what the other side had to say. Not from a list of statistics and facts, as we all know can be skewed to either side, but from another’s perspective. He did not provide me with any newfound insight into life in politics. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I think that when people are paid to speak on our campus they ought to make students think. They ought to make students question their preconceived notions. He did none of these things. That is why I am disappointed.

Dylan Sodaro

International relations, Middle Eastern studies, policy studies

Syracuse University Class of 2013