Right-Wing Cornellians

Monday November 13, 2006 Category: Alumni Permanent Link

Have you noticed the spate of conservative Cornellians who have risen to prominence under the Bush administration? Here are a few for your consideration.

Anne Coulter (B.A. 1984)—Conservative author and columnist. Famously said “I think a baseball bat is the most effective way these days” [to talk to liberals].

Paul Wolfowitz (B.A. 1965 Mathematics and Chemistry)—Deputy Secretary of Defense under George W. Bush, 2001–05), President of the World Bank, 2005-present.Founding member, along with Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, and Jeb Bush among others, of the Project for a New American Century, and a chief architect of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.

Stephen Hadley (B.A. 1969)—replaced Condoleeza Rice as National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush, 2005–present. Accepted responsibility for the “Yellow Cake” scandal: President Bush’ assertion during a State of the Union address, that Iraq had tried to obtain uranium in Africa.

Samuel W. Bodman (B.S. 1961 Chemical Engineering)—Deputy Secretary of Commerce, 2001-03; Secretary of Energy, 2005-present. Promoting Dick Cheney’s agenda to deregulate the energy industry, create new nuclear power plants and coal-burning plants, and to press for drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Pete Coors (B.S. 1969 Industrial Engineering)—Executive of Coors Brewing Company, Senatorial candidate, 2004. Supports a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Cornell Left?

In the interest of being fair and balanced, here are a handful of Cornell Democrats:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (B.A. 1954 Government)—U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, a Clinton appointee.

Janet Reno (B.A. 1960 Chemistry; Professor)—Attorney General under Bill Clinton, 1993-2001

Bill Maher (B.A. 1978 English) - Comedian and Politically Incorrect satirist

Jimmy Smits (M.F.A. 1982)—Actor. OK, well, he played a Democratic president on TV.