Conservative radio talk show host Mike Gallagher premiered his film, FahrenHYPE 9/11, to a packed audience Friday night in 100 Thomas Building, practically in the backyard of his political opposite's visit to the Bryce Jordan Center.

Gallagher said the goal of his visit, spurred by liberal filmmaker Michael Moore's visit being paid partially through student fees, was to "raise one penny more than the $30,000 that the fatso down the street needed to be here tonight."

Instead, Gallagher said $61,000 was raised for Gallagher's Army, a non-profit charity organization that supports U.S. troops, with most of the donations coming from Happy Valley.

A live auction at Friday's event, hosted by the Penn State Young Americans for Freedom and the Penn State College Republicans, also helped to raise an additional $1,200.

"People are calling me a moron and wanting to throw pies in my face, but it's all worth it seeing the support here tonight," Gallagher said after receiving a standing ovation from the audience in Thomas Building.

Gallagher also responded to claims that he was trying to censor Moore by coming to Penn State on the same night, saying he instead wanted to counteract the liberal filmmaker's visit.

"We just want our side to be heard here too," Gallagher said.

Carlton Sherwood, an investigative journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner, also spoke to the audience about Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry.

Sherwood, who produced the anti-Kerry documentary Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal, showed his documentary after Gallagher's film premiere.

"This is a story the press will not tell," Sherwood said.

"What John Kerry did to us [Vietnam veterans] in 1971 can't happen again to the brave young men and women fighting in Iraq right now."

Three staff sergeants in the U.S. Army who were injured while fighting in Iraq also spoke to the crowd.

Staff Sgt. Larry Gill refuted Moore's claim in Fahrenheit 9/11 that the U.S. Army is not supportive of the war in Iraq.

"Despite what the other guy [Moore] says, we just don't quit and get injured to get out of Iraq," he said.

"The best way to support the troops is to go out into your communities and tell people to put Bush back in office," he added

Michelle Knittel (sophomore-finance), a member of the College Republicans, said she thought there were a lot of students who came to the event even though it was Homecoming weekend.

"I thought there wouldn't be many students here, but I think there was a really good turnout here tonight," she said.

Many students at the event said they enjoyed the chance to hear what Republicans had to say in response to Moore.

"I've heard one side through Michael Moore's perspective, and I wanted to hear the Republican view, and see Moore challenged for once," Elizabeth Riva (junior-advertising) said.

"I think ever since Fahrenheit 9/11 everyone just seems to believe what they hear, and I think tonight's film was a good way to open up people's eyes," she added.

Joey Hudson, executive director of Gallagher's Army, said he thought the radio commentator's event had a big impact on students.

"I think this event certainly energized and motivated students who support the Republican Party, and I think they will work harder now to encourage the community to vote," he said.

Hudson added that after learning of Friday's event, many other schools have contacted Gallagher.

"As a result of this event, we've been contacted by other universities," Hudson said. "Some people are even suggesting we follow Moore around."