Conservative Response to Karl Rove Backlash

The Network of enlightened Women at American University (NeW at AU) and American University College Republicans (AUCRs) seek to promote a constructive community of conservatives at AU that speak freely and openly about their beliefs in a welcoming environment to empower each other to pursue goals and dreams.

The rhetoric that recently emerged regarding our event to host Karl Rove with the Kennedy Political Union (KPU) sparked a whole series of angry responses by people who disagree with him, claiming that his presence, “discredit(s) valid political intellectualism.” Regardless of one’s opinions regarding Rove, who is seen as favorable and unfavorable across all political ideologies, he is still considered one of the most influential political strategists of our time.

We very proud to bring different conservative speakers to create a message that encourages free speech, intellectual diversity, and civil discourse among all AU students. A person must hear from all sides of the issues in order to form a proficient argument.

We do not choose the path of conservatism because it is "convenient." To dissent from pressure to conform to a certain ideology is difficult and why we exist as organizations. We uplift each other and debate in an environment where we do not insult each other's intelligence or undermine each other's abilities. We are bringing in Rove in February to speak from a different position than what is usually torted on college campuses. There is nothing wrong with hearing a different point of view, and we hope that all critics and supporters will join us to create a constructive discussion about political strategy.

Sincerely,
Krista Chavez and Stuart Algood
Presidents of NeW at AU and AU College Republicans, respectively