[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/03/10/art.rovecnn.gi.jpg caption="Rove spoke at the University of Iowa Sunday."]
(CNN) - Former top Bush aide Karl Rove didn't get the friendliest of receptions at the University of Iowa Sunday, CNN affiliate KCRG reports.
Rove, who was paid $40,000 to speak at the University, was confronted with an at-times hostile crowd of 1,000, and was interrupted on several occasions.
At one point during the speech, Rove reportedly lashed out at some of the students, saying, "You got a chance to ask your questions later and make your stupid statements, let me make mine."
Police also were forced to remove two people after they tried to perform a citizen’s arrest on Rove for what they said were his crimes while a member of the Bush Administration.
At one point, a person asked Rove if he has ever shed a tear over the war in Iraq.
"I shed a lot of tears and I have been inspired by many of the people who feel their son or daughter should not have to die in vain," he replied.
Toward the end of the speech a member of the crowd yelled, "Can we have our $40,000 back?"
Rove replied, “No, you can't.”
Radio Iowa also reports one audience member told Rove that MSNBC's Keith Olbermann named him the "worst person ever."
"Ever?" Rove joked. "Yea, worse than Hitler, worse than Stalin, worse than Mao and worse than the person who introduced aluminum baseball bats."
Cameras were only allowed to film the beginning of the speech.
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
What an idiot!
Freedom of speech. Thats what we Americans are about. But, where
has civility gone through the years?
I love that smart student asked for $40,000 reimbursement! good job.
"You got a chance to ...make your stupid statements, let me make mine."
Karl, there just isn't enough time.
Now I see why Hillary said Iowa was irrelevant.
Love you Iowa. Right on!
Good for them.
He deserves the ridicule.
Rove is also a monster, not just Hillary.
Way to go Iowa State!!!! Awesome. This guy is the worst of the worst. He helped Bush steal 2 elections and was the brain child for one of the worst military campaigns in modern history. Maybe the Clinton campaign has a position for him, eh?
Obama 2008
Leave it to Academia that they would welcome Iranian's President and think Rove is too controversial. What a JOKE!
Wow, that's $40.00 a person. No wonder these politicians make so much money. Obama is on the right track for future income, he makes a great speech.
Karl Rove should be glad he's not in jail over the Valerie Plame incident, and should just stay home. It's unbelievable that a University would pay him $40,000 to speak. That money should be spent on actual education.
Way to go, Karl!
based on overwhelming evidence, rove should be in prison for treason. if you don't agree, then you must hate america and should leave.
This seems to be happening a lot lately. Are today's college kids really this immature and intellectually lazy?
It would have been nice if the police had grabbed Rove, and hauled him out of the building as well. This man is being payed 40k to corrupt the minds of young college students. Boy, those republicans will stop at nothing with their agenda, will they?
Karl Rove should be in prison for outing a CIA agent in a time of war- that is treason and is punishable by death! Why in the world would any University pay a criminal like him $40,000? He should be in contempt of Congress as well for ignoring a subpeona.
Go Iowa University students! I am so pleased to read that you are active in politics, know what a slimey murderous egotistical criminal Karl Rove is ....I pray that he gets what he deserves one day.
Karl Rove is the WORST PERSON EVER in America. I'm glad he is going to work for McCain. Just more proof the McCain is just more of the same.
When are we going to see Rove indited for war crimes.
I guess he considers his statement : "You got a chance to ask your questions later and make your stupid statements, let me make mine." I guess he considers his statement stupid, too, Right?
Well, should Rove be in on trial or in prison. Oh, I forgot
he is the one that helped Bush cheat to win in the elections
therefore, he is as responsible as Bush that sent American
on one of its worst, never to be forgotton, battle in History.
Love the soldiers, America owes them and they should never
be forgotton.
Fox has had some pretty awful, hateful shows with a bold
Hannity, who thinks he is God. Then I see that Fox has hired
Rove. Oh, My God. I couldn't believe that Rove has a job on
the Fox news channel. That man should never be able to
work again.
The University of Iowa has never been known for producing Einstein’s.
Political Science, Art and Theater, now those are the degree's of the mindless liberals. Just who I want answering the phone at 3 AM..
If the University of Iowa can pay Karl Rove $40K to speak, then they obviously have more money than they know what to do with.
Using that money to help some qualified, but financially strapped, students with their tuition would have been a much better investment.
i live right next door to iowa – and until now i never had an ounce of respect for them.
"until now" being the key words.
a witch hunt where one finds and destroys real witches is really called a good day.
Can't he just go away? Please?
Yes, I think so......Mr. Rove and Bush Administration worse than that.