Molly Ivins loves to tell stories about the blunders in national politics, as well as the mishaps in her home state of Texas.

The syndicated columnist and political pundit did just that Tuesday at the Wharton Center’s Great Hall during a speech sponsored by financial institution TIAA-CREF.

Ivins spoke to a nearly sold-out audience, who showered her with appreciative applause and laughter at her numerous anecdotes.

Lansing resident David Dekker attended the presentation as part of a birthday present from his wife.

“I send copies of her columns to my friends and relatives,” he said. “She makes her point in a humorous and insightful way. I think she’s like opening a window for a breath of fresh air.”

Ivins’ columns are run in more than 100 newspapers around the country, laced with pun and sarcasm that have earned her three Pulitzer Prize nominations, as well as numerous awards for journalism and local columns. She was given the title of Outstanding Alumna from Columbia University’s School of Journalism in 1976.

For her, politics are funny, she said.

“She says a lot of things that need to be said,” said Chris Lepczyk, a fisheries and wildlife graduate student. “She shows you the bigger picture.”

The snowy-haired writer spent an hour relating her tall tales of Texas politics and poking fun at the federal government with carefully chosen vulgarities and a highly polished diction -