Hannity planning to speak at UVSC

OREM — Sean Hannity isn't backing down.

The conservative radio talk -show host told the Deseret Morning News on Tuesday he is still interested in debating filmmaker Michael Moore when Moore makes a stop at the Utah Valley State College campus on Oct. 20.

"Michael Moore: Come out, come out, wherever you are," Hannity said, during an exclusive telephone interview with the Morning News. "If he wants to debate this election, I accept the debate. Let's debate it."

While no one from Moore's camp could be reached for comment, Hannity conceded that a debate is probably unlikely.

But that doesn't mean Hannity won't be appearing at the college, which has received national attention for its student government's decision to pay $40,000 from student fee funds for the "Fahrenheit 9/11" director to speak at its conservative campus. Moore is widely known for his contempt of the Bush administration.

Hannity said he has been approached by a member of UVSC's Board of Trustees to speak on Oct. 11 to the student body, though no contract has been signed.

"I agreed to do it on the 11th if they can work out my transportation issues," he said. "And I'd do the speech for free."

The public outcry over Moore's visit prompted UVSC President William Sederberg to demand the student council find another prominent speaker to share a contrasting opinion before the Nov. 2 general election to provide a balanced political dialogue.

A press conference to formally announce the selected speaker was postponed Tuesday afternoon because "negotiations continue with two major conservative speakers," college officials said in a statement.

The statement did not set a time for an announcement but said that one would be made "after the signing of final contracts."

"Nothing is for sure," student government vice president Joe Vogel said. "We don't know yet who is coming."

However, rumors that talk show host Michael Reagan, the son of former President Ronald Reagan, is competing with Hannity for the speaking engagement appear to be false.

Reagan's spokesman, Michael Sands, told the Deseret Morning News Tuesday that "it is not Michael Reagan who will be speaking."

Despite plans to have a conservative speaker to counterbalance Moore's anti-Bush agenda, students continued Tuesday to collect signatures to force a recall election, which would give students the chance to veto the decision to invite Moore to speak, as well as remove Vogel and student government president Jim Bassi from office.

A rally against the student leaders and their decision to host Moore is scheduled for noon today in the school's Hall of Flags.