By Magdalena Stuehrmann, Class of 2015
Conservative columnist Ann Coulter and liberal commentator Lawrence O’Donnell faced off on a range of topics—from health insurance to the right to vote—Sunday at the George Washington University.
The debate, held in Lisner Auditorium, was co-sponsored by George Washington University’s College Democrats, College Republicans, Program Board and Student Association as well as the Young America’s Foundation.
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Director Frank Sesno served as moderator. “Here are the rules for tonight—you have to speak your minds,” said Mr. Sesno. “I know that’s going to be difficult for both of you.”
Famous for her passionate and often inflammatory speech, Ms. Coulter jumped into the fray yesterday evening, endorsing Mitt Romney as her choice for the Republican presidential candidate and elaborating on her views regarding the Republican presidential primary and voting rights throughout the evening.
Mr. O’Donnell, who anchors the show “The Last Word” on MSNBC, mounted a strident defense of health care coverage for all during the exchange as well as addressing social issues and voicing his opinions regarding the Republican primary.
The spirited debate drew a crowd of hundreds. College Democrats and College Republicans turned out in large numbers, dividing the room by political preference. Both sides exhibited enthusiastic support for their chosen pundit, cheering, clapping and occasionally booing.
The debate began with a discussion of Rush Limbaugh’s recent slur against a Georgetown University Law School student during the debate over mandatory insurance coverage of contraception. Ms. Coulter took the stance that the current health care system in general was the issue, not the specific problem of contraception.
“Insurance is supposed to be for unexpected disasters,” she stated. “We’ve moved so far away from that idea we don’t even recognize it anymore.”
Mr. O’Donnell argued in favor of health insurance companies covering contraception, cheerfully accepting Ms. Coulter’s claim that this was “socialized medicine.”
“Health insurance companies know it’s a good idea to help cover contraception. They recognize it helps keep costs down,” said Mr. O’Donnell. “Is that socialist enough for you?”
Health insurance was not the only issue up for debate that evening, however. The Republican presidential primary, a heated topic of interest for the crowd, took precedence, threading its way through the debate. Ms. Coulter, a spirited advocate of Mr. Romney, defended her choice at every opportunity, arguing the need for a more conservative Republican candidate and calling the tea party’s far-right leanings exemplary.
Mr. O’Donnell disagreed, describing Romney as “the most socialism-embracing Republican candidate” and pointing out the liberal aspects of many of the Republican candidates.
When the issue of voting arose in relation to the 2012 election, Ms. Coulter surprised much of the crowd by advocating the idea that the voting age be moved to 26, “when you pay for your own health care.”
Ms. Coulter also reiterated a statement she made during a 2003 interview with The Guardian that women, in the interest of the Republican party, should be denied the vote.
“If women couldn’t vote, we would have a Republican president every time,” said Ms. Coulter. As the crowd booed this statement, Mr. O’Donnell raised his hands saying, “I rest my case,” and turned to walk off stage, garnering thunderous applause from the audience.
“There is one thing I have to say about Ann—she always hangs in there with her own stuff,” he said as he returned, praising her willingness to stick by her previous statement.
George Washington University student James Reed, a proud member of the College Republicans, had mixed feelings about the debate.
“It was much better than last year’s, a real debate rather than a formal discussion,” he said, in response to the charged atmosphere of the evening.
Allison Nusbaum, a freshman in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences agreed.
“It was great, really interesting. This is what I came to GW for, having huge political events like this right on campus, accessible to everyone,” said Ms. Nusbaum. “It completed my freshman experience."