Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean will give an economic address in Gaston Hall today. Dean’s visit marks the second appearance of a presidential candidate on campus during this campaign season.
The line for tickets Wednesday started at the doors of the Leavey Center bookstore and circled around Hoya Court to the hallway parallel to the Center Grill.
Katie Seebald (SFS ‘06), who was standing in the back of the line, said it would be worth the wait. “He’s a presidential candidate and there’s not going to be a better opportunity to see him up close,” she said.
“I believe his speech will have a positive influence on students,” said College Democrats executive board member Chris Wooley. “Dean is a tremendous speaker and can connect to a crowd like no one I have seen.”
Not all Georgetown students are as pleased about Dean’s presence on campus. A group of Hoyas for Kerry is planning to gather in Healy Circle with signs questioning Dean’s record.
The College Republicans put up Bush/Cheney signs in Red Square on Wednesday night. “We’re not really being reactionary. There hasn’t really been a voice for Bush on campus, so we’re just trying to get the word out,” said College Republicans director of communications Murphy Gallagher (CAS ‘06).
The Georgetown University Lecture fund and the College Democrats planned the event with the Georgetown Office of Public Affairs. “We are thrilled that Gov. Dean chose Georgetown as the venue for this event. The Lecture Fund, Georgetown College Democrats and Georgetown Students for Dean have been vigorously planning this event over the last few days, and everyone has done a great job,” said Wooley.
