Commencement-speech troubles like Obama’s won’t afflict Paulsen at St. Olaf — unless they do

Chris Steller — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:58:13 +0000

Two graduation speeches that President Obama agreed to give are proving that, as someone once said, no good deed goes unpunished. Arizona State University decided to stiff him on an honorary degree at its graduation last night, and his actions on abortion-related issues have the University of Notre Dame in convulsions ahead of his speech there on Sunday. By contrast, U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen can expect clear sailing (or not — see update below) when he addresses the graduating class at St. Olaf College later this month. Updated after the jump.

Obama and Paulsen have this in common: Both got big promotions this year after winning election to higher office.

But while Obama is left to play off the diss from ASU and duck for cover at Notre Dame, Paulsen can count on a carefree reception in Northfield on May 24.

Last week, St. Olaf spokesman David Gonnerman told MnIndy that the campus didn’t seem riled enough by abortion or any other issue to generate protests against this year’s commencement speaker — and never has been, that he can recall. UPDATED: In a late development, there is a student protest in the works. (See followup post: “Rep. Paulsen faces opposition at St. Olaf commencement.”)

As for a degree from St. Olaf, Paulsen (Class of ’87) already has his. UPDATED: Gonnerman confirms he won’t be getting another.

Might Obama have a controversy-free campus visit when he commissions this year’s officer class May 22 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.? Don’t ask.

Minnesota Independent » asu

Commencement-speech troubles like Obama’s won’t afflict Paulsen at St. Olaf — unless they do