Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Barack Obama Is Not a Constitutional Law Professor

Barack Obama has at least once, uttered the sentence "I was a constitutional law professor." This has been repeated, uncritically. One of Sully's correspondents, for example. Mark Kleiman, who really ought to know better, called him a "Con. Law Prof."

As Powerline noted back in April, this is, shall we say, a bit of puffery. Obama has taught courses in constitutional law, and so in casual conversation his students might well refer to him as "Professor." But he is listed on the University of Chicago web page as "Senior Lecturer in Law." His publications page lists his two autobiographical books, but no academic work of any sort, much less any academic writings on constitutional law. Now, given his relatively strong academic credentials and the extent of affirmative action in academic hiring, if Obama had written articles about, well, pretty much anything, he would undoubtedly have been able to get hired at an elite law school in a tenure-track position. But he didn't.

Barack Obama may well know a lot more about constitutional law than the average person, or even the average lawyer. But he is not a Professor of Constitutional Law. Nor is he an assistant professor or associate professor. At most, he's an "adjunct professor," which is not the same thing at all.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

'Constitutional law professor' simply refers to someone who teaches constitutional law at a college level. It's a common vernacular usage.

It is not a title, in which case the words are capitalized and usually include the words "Associate" or the like depending on the country involved.

cheerful iconoclast said...

Of course it's a title. Particularly when used by an academic like Mark Kleiman.

Anonymous said...

As someone who has held both the rank of "lecturer" and "professor", I can assure you that your semantic worries are not only churlish, but misplaced. What if his rank had been less than a "Senior Lecturer," some sort of lowly Adjunct or Affiliate Professor? It is not common in academic life to provide one's rank and tenure status, only the function which one has performed. Mr Obama has indeed been a professor of Constitutional Law at the rank of Senior Lecturer. Grow up!

Anonymous said...

http://www.law.uchicago.edu/media/index.html

Anonymous said...

Semantics aside for a moment, the point is really about the 'context' of making such a direct claim towards knowledge. Is Obama an academia scholar in Constitutional Law? No, not really. Has he dedicated a great portion of his life to studying the Constitution, not really. Obama has nothing published, has never taken a case to a state or US Supreme Court where Constitutional law is all that matters. The concept of lecturer is a person with knowledge sharing their knowledge.The term Professor implies that you belong to a university, the world of academia, and usually have a doctorate degree. Again, this does not apply. So how about 'teacher'? Obama has been a teacher and lecturer of Constitutional law. Nothing more or less.

Anonymous said...

Whatever his teaching role was, he either doesn't understand the U.S. Constitution or he doesn't have much use for it. I suspect the latter.

It would be interesting to hear from those he lectured to. Did they learn anything about original intent or do they all agree with Obama that the Law of the Land is a "living, breathing (aka, let's just redefine the words and skip deliberation, debate and the amendment process) document?

Anonymous said...

It is uncommonly weighty to accept for gentlemanly custody of all your jewellery pieces so that they form quest of a lifetime. There are diverse approaches and ways to straight different types of jewels be it gold, silver-tongued, pearls, diamond or marvel stones. Outlined below are the heterogeneous ways by means of which you can conclude carefulness of your accessories and charge of them shiny and green always.

cheap electronics said...

'Constitutional law professor' simply refers to someone who teaches constitutional law at a college level. It's a common vernacular usage.

It is not a title, in which case the words are capitalized and usually include the words "Associate" or the like depending on the country involved.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Thank you Anonymous, collectively, for, excuse my slang, PWNING this wannabe blogger. It's really disheartening and unfortunate that people continue to post inaccurate propaganda in an attempt to find any semblance of relevant dirt against President Obama. It's actually just a reflection of ignorance. Now, can we please get back to making fun of George W. Bush? That material is endless.

game vera said...

Buy high quality nds card, nintendo ds card online, www.ndstrade.com provide best r4 revolution, nintendo ds r4 for DS Lite with the lowest purchase high quality r4 ds, r4 card, r4 sdhc, r4i sdhc, r4i gold, Nintendo DS R4, n5. Enjoy the cheapest cards for R4 Adapter.
Discount ds m3 card, m3i zero, m3 real, m3 ds real for DS Lite at ndstrade.com,enjoy m3 card with high quality and low price.
Cheap ez flash card - Get quality ez flash vi Card, ez flash 3 in 1, Ez Flash DS at hottest prices.
Discount acekard 2i, Purchase acekard Card for acekard 2i online to save more.
Buy DSTT Card online, Choose from Cheap supercard, Enjoy wonderful cyclods game with quality micro sd from r4dsnds.com.
Buy PS3 Jailbreak, PS3 key online, Choose from Cheap PS3 Controller and PS3 move. Enjoy wonderful Ps3 games with quality PsBreak.

wholesale wedding dresses said...

You will be interested to hear that we have just marketed our new product.We are pleased to get in touch with you for the supply of.

A musst see important work .

mermaid style wedding gowns said...

mermaid style wedding gowns just for you!

Anonymous said...

fY1F6w http://www.bottespaschershop.info mQ3V8m [url=http://www.bottespaschershop.info]bottes ugg[/url] aD2V0f bottes ugg nK8D5o
aN3S2t http://www.japanbootsvip.com qW2R6y [url=http://www.japanbootsvip.com]ugg 激安[/url] mV8H1n ugg 激安 nJ5D7j
zX2H0f http://www.isabelmarantde.info zI8B7r [url=http://www.isabelmarantde.info]isabel marant boots[/url] pS4N6l isabel marant mO7T9v
cU6X2q http://www.vipbottespascher.com sT4O2k [url=http://www.vipbottespascher.com]chaussures ugg[/url] lA0P0k ugg pas cher uX8H2l
bG7L3g http://goedkopeboots.jouwweb.nl uI1N9b [url=http://goedkopeboots.jouwweb.nl]goedkope uggs[/url] xW8D5k uggs winkels wN6H0h
oK5B2v http://frbottesspascher3.webnode.fr dW9P3x [url=http://frbottesspascher3.webnode.fr]ugg[/url] rG2H5e ugg lT3K8c

Anonymous said...

When you consider the concise explaination the saying enjoy, installing terms of an intimate partnership utilizing a further, however , to be a emotion that may be engendered once you have miltchmonkey a much better association with yourself very : as well as for a a sense increased oneness household or maybe human race ( space ) that develops into even more crystal clear that every one any person wants in life is enjoy.

Anonymous said...

pT9C5x http://goedkopelaarzen0.webnode.nl qD6Z8i [url=http://goedkopelaarzen0.webnode.nl]uggs nederland[/url] wV5W6b uggs outlet pV6D4o
cW2Y5p http://goedkopeonline.jimdo.com iJ8I5v [url=http://goedkopeonline.jimdo.com]goedkope uggs[/url] aR5X4x uggs online bM8S6s
pF3O6d http://bootsshopit.blinkweb.com rR4B2a [url=http://bootsshopit.blinkweb.com]ugg shop online[/url] cK8Q7s ugg italia dI1W1h
hT0Q4z http://bootspascherfr0.webnode.fr vA5L5p [url=http://bootspascherfr0.webnode.fr]ugg australia pas cher[/url] hJ4K1x ugg pas cher dX6S2k
uC3T7t http://botasuggs.1minutesite.es nE4R6u [url=http://botasuggs.1minutesite.es]botas ugg baratas[/url] fB1W5m ugg baratas tB9R1f
lD1D2e http://canadaoutletboots.webs.com tY6V4d [url=http://canadaoutletboots.webs.com]uggs canada[/url] xE8H9y ugg canada hZ7X4j

Anonymous said...

fN6O6c http://naraclub.jp/louisvuitton.php oV9V9d [url=http://naraclub.jp/louisvuitton.php]louis vuitton ブレスレット[/url] tR9J8x louis vuittonきせかえ eH3Q1k
eN8J6g http://goedkopebootsonline.webnode.nl/ pN1B8v [url=http://goedkopebootsonline.webnode.nl/]uggs outlet[/url] pL6B8y uggs outlet oD6P4z
iW5Y6e http://cheapbootonsale0.webs.com/ gT5P7g [url=http://cheapbootonsale0.webs.com/]ugg outlets[/url] xT4E9s ugg outlet online wN4V6y
wC5W0b http://goedkopebootssale7.webnode.nl/ bU0V8f [url=http://goedkopebootssale7.webnode.nl/]goedkope uggs[/url] nH3F4n uggs sale eF6Q8d
mK9N4j http://bottessspascher.webnode.fr/ cL6W7a [url=http://bottessspascher.webnode.fr/]uggs france[/url] lL8X4l bottes ugg yW4R9p
cM9D9m http://naraclub.jp/ugg.php nO9F3q [url=http://naraclub.jp/ugg.php]ugg 店舗[/url] nF5G8b ugg 激安 uP8T6x

Anonymous said...

zC6A5g http://naraclub.jp/louisvuitton.php tW6O1s [url=http://naraclub.jp/louisvuitton.php]るいヴぃとん[/url] sQ4M8m louis vuitton 新作 財布 bQ1X2s
eR2B9s http://naraclub.jp/ugg.php qJ7I8d [url=http://naraclub.jp/ugg.php]ugg 店舗[/url] hC5J1u ugg nS1M3h
qD1Z7z http://goedkopebootssale7.webnode.nl/ bY9R3e [url=http://goedkopebootssale7.webnode.nl/]uggs amerika[/url] jT3W3u uggs sale fV0T1g
qY7P4l http://goedkopebootsonline.webnode.nl/ iH8B7g [url=http://goedkopebootsonline.webnode.nl/]uggs outlet[/url] uS3Q8f uggs outlet xV8T6c
eC3X0w http://cheapbootonsale0.webs.com/ aT9O1o [url=http://cheapbootonsale0.webs.com/]ugg outlet online[/url] hA6K4n ugg outlets dT0E8l
lC5M5z http://bottessspascher.webnode.fr/ xW9D1e [url=http://bottessspascher.webnode.fr/]bottes ugg[/url] qL0X2y uggs france pS6F8g

Anonymous said...

fG0X2a http://www.bootsshopinde.info zP5P4q [url=http://www.bootsshopinde.info]ugg boots deutschland[/url] tR2R6r ugg boots deutschland sY7H2d
bA7Z0m http://www.bootsoutletshopus.info iO1E1m [url=http://www.bootsoutletshopus.info]ugg boots outlet[/url] fT8V4x uggs outlet zV8C8k
bO2J6y http://fashionbootscheap.webs.com tM9V4o [url=http://fashionbootscheap.webs.com]uggs on sale cheap[/url] lD2M2k ugg usa mZ8M4h
qI9W9k http://stivalisale.webs.com tY5V3p [url=http://stivalisale.webs.com]ugg stivali[/url] uS8K8g stivali ugg nK2F2r
vX6J2r http://www.bootsitaliashop.info nB2K1n [url=http://www.bootsitaliashop.info]ugg[/url] vH6F8t ugg italia vF7X0n
vQ5M1x http://cheapbootssuk.webs.com/ pR0Y6b [url=http://cheapbootssuk.webs.com/]pink ugg boots[/url] iZ5V3c real ugg boots yF4J9h

Anonymous said...

lD1K2k http://stivalishop.oneminutesite.it sH3C0z [url=http://stivalishop.oneminutesite.it]ugg[/url] eN9V6t ugg tC1W8b
qL4K6i http://frbottes.webnode.fr uI2B8o [url=http://frbottes.webnode.fr]uggs pas cher[/url] zN0N5i uggs pas cher kU0E7z
gW6Q7i http://goedkopebestellen.jouwweb.nl sF6L0t [url=http://goedkopebestellen.jouwweb.nl]uggs outlet[/url] qH8I9v uggs outlet lU4L5q
gY4O7q http://www.bootssincanada.info eK0Z7j [url=http://www.bootssincanada.info]uggs canada[/url] eO9C6e uggs canada rW6D5j
fX7B2v http://bootskopenonline.jouwweb.nl bD2N1c [url=http://bootskopenonline.jouwweb.nl]uggs online[/url] zP1J6h uggs nederland sale eY0F4x
zY3K4a http://botasuggss.1minutesite.es fG0B1b [url=http://botasuggss.1minutesite.es]botas ugg[/url] dV7I3u botas ugg mR4A4j

Anonymous said...

[url=http://isabelmarant01.hpage.co.in/isabel_marant_91294955.html]isabel marant vente en ligne[/url]
[url=http://isabellemarant.weebly.com/]ventes priv茅es isabel marant[/url]
[url=http://isabellemarrant.blogsky.com/]isabel marant basket[/url]
http://isabellemarrant.webnode.fr/isabel-marant-sneakers/
http://isabellemarrant.yolasite.com/boots-isabel-marant.php
http://isabelmarant1.skynetblogs.be/archive/2012/05/08/l-attraction-principale-de-l-isabel-marant.html

Anonymous said...

[url=http://isabelmarantbasket.skynetblogs.be/]isabel marant 茅t茅 2011[/url]
[url=http://isabellemarant.weebly.com/isabel-marant-chaussures.html]buy isabel marant[/url]
[url=http://isabellemarrant.snappages.com/isabelle%C2%A0marant%C2%A0basket.htm]isabel marant sneakers[/url]
http://isabellemarant.webstarts.com/isabel_marant_sneakers_bekket_high-top_suede.html
http://isabellemarant.webs.com/sneakers-isabelle-marant
http://isabelmarantbasket.skynetblogs.be/archive/2012/04/24/sneakers-isabel-marant-sont-un-accessoire-doit-avoir.html

Anonymous said...

[url=http://isabelmarant01.hpage.co.in/isabel_marant_avec_noeud_papillon_40252393.html]bijoux isabelle marant[/url]
[url=http://isabellemarrant.snappages.com]jogging isabel marant[/url]
[url=http://isabellemarrant.snappages.com/isabel-marant-suede.htm]isabel marant sneakers 2011[/url]
http://isabellemarant.webs.com/sneakers-isabelle-marant
http://isabellemarrant.webs.com/isabel-marant-sneakers
http://isabellemarant.yolasite.com/bottes-isabel-marant.php

Anonymous said...

oY7H2k http://purseshops.webnode.com tB8V6j louis vuitton handbags outlet gD9G9v [url=http://purseshops.webnode.com]louis vuitton purses[/url] eV1K6e
sR0Z4u http://www.lvsaconline.monwebeden.fr nD0X3j louis vuitton sac hZ6W3e [url=http://www.lvsaconline.monwebeden.fr]sacs louis vuitton[/url]
zJ9J3x http://www.francesaclouisvuittonn.info nS7P0m louis vuitton pas cher bZ7X4y [url=http://www.francesaclouisvuittonn.info]louis vuitton pas cher[/url]
dL2S3z http://www.lvbagsoutlet2013.com aH6K5h louis vuitton handbags zV7U9c [url=http://www.lvbagsoutlet2013.com]louis vuitton outlet online[/url]
mT6V4x http://buyhandbagnet.webnode.fr lD5F0i sacs louis vuitton nW7U9a [url=http://buyhandbagnet.webnode.fr]sac louis vuitton[/url]
dQ7P9k http://www.outletlvhandbagsus.info uW1E9q louis vuitton bags dC3G5h [url=http://www.outletlvhandbagsus.info]cheap louis vuitton[/url]

Anonymous said...

iF5H0e http://isabelmarantss.1minutesite.es/ uF0V0a [url=http://isabelmarantss.1minutesite.es/]isabel marant[/url] wD1P9h isabel marant shop online rH0J6j
kC5N1g http://dphonesbeatsbydre.com cZ9N7n [url=http://dphonesbeatsbydre.com]cheap beats by dre[/url] sZ2L6a cheap beats by dre fR4B4y
fN0J7d http://ussneaker.webs.com lZ0V1j [url=http://ussneaker.webs.com]isabel marant[/url] jL1K5h isabel marant eV3P4k
jM7U7o http://headphoneshop.webs.com zX7P5i [url=http://headphoneshop.webs.com]monster headphones[/url] zS3G8j monster headphones tK7S3u
qE0H7q http://sneakershopes.webnode.es tT1Z9k [url=http://sneakershopes.webnode.es]isabel marant sneakers[/url] kA9D5h isabel marant sneakers bL4R5q
hK6W0v http://www.longchamppascherer.com eJ1K1p [url=http://www.longchamppascherer.com]sac longchamp[/url] vM5R1g longchamp pas cher mB5S7x

Anonymous said...

Qs0Vj7
[url=http://isabelmarantshop.ibizlog.com]isabel marant boots sale[/url]
[url=http://isabelmarants.beep.com/sac-longchamps-pas-cher.htm]sac longchamp solde[/url]
[url=http://isabelmarants.blogdetik.com/isabel-marant-net-a-porter/]isabel marant 2012[/url]

Az0Xo6Pc3Wy6
http://kingyunujj.blinkweb.com/isabel-marant-new-york.html
http://gutianle.tumblr.com/iisabelmarant
http://isabellemarant.2itb.com/index.html