Tucson Region

Not all of UA eager for Michael Moore

Controversial film director Michael Moore will speak in Tucson on Oct. 11, two days before Arizona plays host to the final debate between President Bush and John Kerry. Moore, whose Bush-bashing documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" has grossed nearly $118 million since it was released in June, is scheduled to speak at the University of Arizona's McKale Center at 7 p.m. Some student Republicans aren't happy about Moore's appearance, fearing he will use his remarks to campaign against Bush. Pete Seat, state chairman of Arizona College Republicans, wants a conservative speaker "of equal name recognition" brought in for balance. But an organizer defended the speech as fitting with the university's mission of educating and informing students. "Our mission is to engage as many students as possible," said Fernando Ascencio, the director of the speakers board of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona. ASUA is strictly nonpartisan, Ascencio said. As evidence, he noted that David T. Hardy, author of "Michael Moore Is a Big Fat Stupid White Man," will speak on campus Oct. 7 - two days after "Fahrenheit 9/11" is released on DVD. Moore is normally paid $40,000 for speeches, Ascencio said, but agreed to talk at UA for $27,500. Tickets for Moore cost $5 and go on sale today for UA students and faculty, and Sept. 29 for everyone else. Call ASUA at 621-4671 for more information. Sour notes for Kerry

As the last Tucson Democrat to scale the political heights in Republican-dominated Arizona, Dennis DeConcini knows about prospering in hostile political territory. So the Notebook cornered the former U.S. senator while he was in his hometown last week and asked him to tell John Kerry how to win Arizona on Nov. 2. DeConcini's blunt, stone-cold honesty was a surprise. "John, I think you could have won, but I think you're blowing it," he said in an imaginary conversation with his party's presidential nominee. "What you did wrong, John, is you don't have a clear position on the Iraq war." DeConcini called running mate John Edwards "a wonderful guy" who makes "a great impression," but said he "was not the best choice" for VP. "We need a Dick Cheney. We need an attacker. He's not going to attack anybody." And by wasting precious time on all the Vietnam "crap," DeConcini said Kerry has let the campaign "slip." Despite the harsh criticism, DeConcini is not about to abandon ship. He said Bush has been "an absolute disaster" and the race is still winnable. Leaving the governor

Gov. Janet Napolitano's chief spinmeister will be returning to his Southern Arizona roots. Paul Allvin has served in Napolitano's administration, helping out with speeches, press releases and sculpting the gov's image. Now, the 36-year-old Tucson native and Sahaurita High School graduate is joining the University of Arizona as a vice president for strategic communications. He will concentrate on getting UA some Phoenix-area publicity and then move back to Tucson next year. Allvin's last day with Napolitano will be Oct. 15.