Civil liberties attorney Nadine Strossen and Washington insider Pat Buchanan will fire their best shots in a political debate as part of the Distinguished Speaker's Series (DSS) at 8 tonight in the Eisenhower Auditorium.
The hour-long debate will focus on challenges to civil liberties in the post-Sept. 11, world. The speakers will tackle current topics such as the war in Iraq and terrorism, DSS committee chair Howard Wu said.
Since 1991, Strossen has served as the first female president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). This week, more than 30 long-time ACLU supporters requested the resignations of the organization's leaders, including Strossen, to restore the ACLU's integrity, according to a New York Times article.
Strossen has also published more than 250 works on constitutional law, civil liberties and international human rights. Twice, the National Law Journal named Strossen as one of "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America."
Buchanan worked as the White House Director of Communications under President Ronald Reagan and ran for president against George H. W. Bush in 1992. He also traveled with Vice President Richard Nixon during the 1966 and 1968 campaigns and worked as a special assistant to Nixon during his presidency. Buchanan also works as a news analyst and writes a syndicated column containing political and social commentary.
The DSS committee chose the event to kick off this year's series because it wants students to hear both sides of political issues, Wu said.
"Most students go to see speakers whose positions they agree with," Wu said. "This way, people can hear someone they agree with and hear the opposition in the same event. Both speakers should have a lot to say about the topic."
Following the debate, audience members will have the opportunity to ask both speakers questions.
In the past, Buchanan and Strossen have debated in similar events, but Wu said this discussion should be fresh and original.
"It's a topic dealing with recent events, so the information should be fairly new," Wu said. "We'll also have a moderator asking questions, which the speakers will have to respond to."
Eliot Schmidt, spokesman for the College Democrats, said he didn't know if any members planned on attending the debate, but he encouraged all students to go.
"Anything that creates interest in political issues right now is a good thing," he said. "We definitely encourage informed debate."
Seth Bender, College Republicans president, was unavailable for comment.
Plenty of tickets for the debate are still available, said Wayne Litz, a box office assistant at Eisenhower Auditorium. Students can pick up free tickets at the Eisenhower Auditorium box office, the State College Downtown Theater Center or the HUB-Robeson Center.
