University Of Chicago: Obama Was A Professor

A recent Clinton campaign research document charged that Barack Obama was falsely claiming to be a professor:

Sen. Obama consistently and falsely claims that he was a law professor. The Sun-Times reported that, "Several direct-mail pieces issued for Obama's primary [Senate] campaign said he was a law professor at the University of Chicago. He is not. He is a senior lecturer (now on leave) at the school. In academia, there is a vast difference between the two titles. Details matter." In academia, there's a significant difference: professors have tenure while lecturers do not. [Hotline Blog, 4/9/07; Chicago Sun-Times, 8/8/04]

Today, the University of Chicago released the following statement:

The Law School has received many media requests about Barack Obama, especially about his status as "Senior Lecturer." From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies adjunct status. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers have high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching. Several times during his 12 years as a professor in the Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined.

Comments

[ann1]

Let's not be so hard on Sen Obama. Hillary has been professing a few lies. You know the "Professor of Sniper Fire".

[transendentilist]

Yes, and it was stupid and petty. Obama is not innocent in doing the same to Hillary. It's called politics in America. They both need to stop attacking each other and start attacking John McCain. While Hillary and Obama are each having their own little hissy-fit, McBomb has been to Iraq and several European nations. This dem on dem really needs to come to an end.

[SoulSistah]

Hillary tells a sniper lie and the MEDIA bust her. Hillary tells a lie on Obama and the MEDIA bust her. Hillary slings mud because she is dirty and wants Obama to be just as dirty as she is.

[Pharos]

Personal attacks, Barack would be so proud of you - NOT!

[YvonneH]

To the Clinton People: "Keep on digging..." You're just digging your own graves.........at what point will you all finally admit it?

[KDH]

“He did not hold the title of professor of law,” said Marsha Ferziger Nagorsky, an Assistant Dean for Communications and Lecturer in Law at the school, on East 60th St. in Chicago

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/03/sweet_obama_did_hold_the_title.html

[BrooklynLager]

Read the whole statement:

"The Law School has received many media requests about Barack Obama, especially about his status as "Senior Lecturer." From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies adjunct status. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers have high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching. Several times during his 12 years as a professor in the Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined."

****"Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors"*****

[hankandted]

The reason he does not have tenure is that he is also a senator, so he is a non-tenured professor. There have always been these types of professors at the U of C and at Northwestern. Dawn Clark Netsch, for example, at Northwestern. She has been a progressive state legislator in Sprinfield for decades, wrote law texts about state government, etc. Professors like her and Obama, bring tremendous prestige and connections to the institutions they are associated with.

I think it is quite clear that Obama would have been granted tenure, had he decided to forgo politics. But he wanted to have a greater effect on the larger community.

[batgirl71]

Richard Posner, currently a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit with a long and distinguished history as a lawyer and as a professor, is also a senior lecturer in law at the University of Chicago Law School:

Richard A. Posner
Senior Lecturer in Law
1111 East 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
phone: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

There is nothing here folks... move on.

[KDH]

Why doesn't he use : Professor Richard A. Posner then?

[lisakaz]

Maybe 'cause he's a judge? There is no title before his name. He might be "Professor Posner" in class and "Justice Posner" on the bench. Have you ever attended college?

[1dogs2]

Because he's a full-time judge, for crying out loud.

[Ramirez]

He's already a judge with heavy cred. He doesn't need to exaggerate.

[LuckyDay]

This is a lot like the famous Kindergarten Papers that fizzled out. Next the Clintons are going to try to find out whether he actually played on his high school basketball team. Their explanation for doing all of this research is so the Republicans won't have to.

[MtVernonGuide]

I'm glad someone pointed this out.

[floydSmoot]

I guess it all boils down to what the meaning of "is" is.
Jesus, I'm not up for four more years of desperately parsing words.
But for the record, I did not have sexual relations with that Professor, Mr. Obama,...

[elmundo6]

This is absolutely moronic. UC, one of the most prestigious law schools in the country (ranked in the top 10, I think) says the man was a professor. They also said they invited to join the faculty on a full-time, time tenure track basis. What more is there to discuss? Why is this going on and on. He was a professor--end of story. This was a non-story and just a distraction.

If you really want to be pissed about something, get pissed about Bush and his policies of the last several years.

[Pharos]

They invited him to be a professor, he declined, yes what else is there to discuss? - he was not a professor - see my other post and note I will still vote for him if he is the nominee. Let start discussing important issues please!

[Pharos]

I forgot to say, yes let's be pissed off about Bush and his hijacking of our great country. The issue of academic rank is a big deal in the academic world but it is not easily explained to an outsider. Obama may have needed to use different language than the technically correct academic language to convey what he did (and remember I support Hillary). Lets get on with important issues - take back our country! Obama, Hillary either one can save us. Democrats unite!

[transendentilist]

In all fairness to Obama, he did not lie about this. He taught Constitutional Law. To me this is his strong suit, as far as being head executive of the US.
I just want him to stop trying to unfairly blame Hillary for bush's war. I wish he had more integrity and honesty. Hillary said a really stupid thing, considering Bosnia, a lie. But her lie doesn't split the democratic party. Her lie (tall tale), doesn't falsely condemn a fellow democrat.

[c1ee]

You seem to feel pretty strongly about this. In that case, i suggest you read this, and tell me if you still think Hillary is being unfairly blamed for the war in Iraq.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/f
ullpage.ht­ml?res=9A0­DE3DC1430
F930A35755­C0A9619C8B­63&sec=&sp­on=&pagewa­nted=3

(i had to put line breaks to fit the link)

[Pharos]

Teaching constitutional law does not make one a professor.Still, let's move on to important matters please.

[ProfessorDuh]

More lies from Lady Macbeth. Out, out, damn candidate.

[veracal]

Claiming to be a professor, and having one of the leading institutions in the USA agree that you are indeed a professor, is eqivalent to insisting that you were under sniper fire in a Bosnian war zone when you were not!

Whay can't everyone see this? It's not Hillary's fault that you people cannot determine the truth!

[AnninCA]

Well, the Canadian PM came out and emphatically said that her campaign never contacted them about NAFTA. Didn't see that make a dent in Obama's claim that she's a liar.

Did you?

[citadelgrrl05]

actually do your research, they stated the exact opposite, that it was actually the clinton campaign that contacted them not obama and made those statements, which is why he ended up loosing ohio, on clintons lies and by the time they found out the truth, the election in OH was over. The people of OH were once again bamboozled and I hope the poepel in PA dont follow the same track, the clintons are nothing but liars and we need to do our research before we voice our opinions!!!
wake up america!!!

[mattwin]

Since you claim that Obama has a weak resume, what year was Hillary the editor of the Harvard Law Review and what Law School as she a full Professor?

[ohnoyoudidnot!]

not just a leading institution - it's the institution that he worked for as a professor. you just "read" what you want to see?

[Lap48]

Snidely Whiplash, Hillary and Multitudes of her most enthusiastic followers:

"Curses, foiled again!"

[juangault]

There's something fascinating about a determined nemesis. The Terminator is a prime example. Also, these night people in "I am Legend". How many scorned women are in America? How many are scorned by their own fault? What do they hope that Hillary will accomplish on their behalf? I wonder if Barrak will fill the empty houses with Katrina refugees, that's simple. Maybe if men are the problem, and the men in the middle east want to die killing western men, then will Hillary oblige them? I have two draft age sons. They will not die for Hillary or McCain.

[lisakaz]

Are you serious? I already posted on this. I am an academic; I have a PhD. He was a professor. So am I. I didn't stop being one in going from "visiting assistant professor" to "lecturer." I just wanted a 3 yr contact.

[bauersox]

You manage to post your exiguous but wordy creds on every page. Are you sure that you're not really a merchant banker?

[Pharos]

Yes you did (if you were in the US). I too have a Ph.D. and I was a professor. Why don't you tell your audience about AAUP guidelines.

[LOL123]

Any person who has attended a University knows that not all Professors are tenured but are indeed Professors and not all Lecturers are Professors, but Professors are Lecturers. There is no equivalency here and you and I both know this, but anti-intel­lectualism does favor the Clinton fans and campaign.

[Seaofdreams]

We've seen the reverend wright story which continues and now there's more to know about Obama http://www.obamatruth.org/
The hits will keep on coming against Obama, Hillary will clearly beat him in the end.

[veracal]

Visit www.againsthillary.com or www.hillaryproject.com to get the opposing viewpoint.

Seriously, anyone with a computer can start one of these websites. Don't you know that?

[Shaddup]

Let it go, Rev Wright received 3, count 'em three, PRESIDENTIAL COMMENDATIONS from PAST PRESIDENTS. Are you devaluing their collective judgments too????

[scruffyandspunky]

Apt moniker you've got there! Cool.

[citadelgrrl05]

keep dreaming sea of dreams. what election have you been watching? The last pols clearly sho despite hillary's effort to derail Obama's campaign she is the one's who numbers and negatives are going down. You better get use to saying president Obama!!! or the very least democratic nominee Obama

[disqo21]

what a stupid website, desperately scraping for negativity. if all they have is that stale garbage and accusations of greed, then you and your candidate are living in the largest glass house i've ever seen. the clintons have already lost as well. wake up, dreamer.

[Seaofdreams]

Obama truth dot com clearly displays corruption the American people do not know enough about Barack Obama.Most radio shows across the country are far more reliable with facts then television news.CNN MSNBC are full of what "if's" painting an extremely biased opinion against Hillary Clinton. A free pass for Obama more than exist it's a fact ! A 20 year long relationship Obama and his pastor reverend Jeremiah Wright who gave one of the countries biggest well known racist Louis Farakahn an award plus a trip they spent together is a huge red flag for Obama!!!
A tip of the iceberg has come out with this issue,it's far from over.Fox news Hannity & Colmes, Greta Van Susteren speak more of the truth pointing out a lot more of the facts on the Wright story.People need to take a serious look at Barack Obama before we appoint a president we all regret.Here's a link to chew on open your eyes and see who this man is Barack Obama http://www.obamatruth.org/

[cathye]

Saw the first video. Old news! Michelle Obama has a law degree, and she's a smart and competant woman. Considering the millions that the Clintons have raked in by charging 100K each for Bill's speeches, her 300K/year salary is nothing. The POTUS makes 400K a year you know.

Also, you realize he only bought that house after he was a state elected official. What kind of house does your elected state representation live in? Mine lives on a 1.5 million dollar ranch 30 miles from his district center. At least Obama paid through the nose for a house that is in the heart of his district.

[Shaddup]

Okay, lady or seaofdreams or whatever you believe yourself to be.... You are citing fox news talk shows as a valuable source, for one. It's like citing the Cartoon Channel for information, but your's is not as fun...

And, I'd like to take a moment to crawl into YOUR closet and stir about the skeletons that YOU have in YOUR past. It's pretty obvious that you're threatened by Obama and Fox news is giving that credence. Step away from the TV and the internet, if you will.... step away from fear for a moment.

Fear hinders reasoning. LET GO OF HALF-TRUTHS AND HYPOTHETICALS.

[citadelgrrl05]

what do you basis this trash on, no truth what so eve, it is people like you who pribably voted for buh, which is why we are in this nonsense of a war, and why you let hillary get away with lying and call it a misstaement how blind are you. Dont you find it curious that out of twenty years of sermons, they could only find two three clips of harsh rhetoric, And the big quretsion I have to ask you is Have you seen the wright sermons in its entirety, if not you have no opinion that matter becasue I can clearly see that you have not that is why you have the opinion that you do . wake up dude, before you judge have your facts straight and by the way you can find the rev. wright sermons in its entirety on Youtube or go to the church's web site and buy one before you gibe an absurb opinion

[KDH]

The reason we are in this war, is because 2/3 of the country wanted it.

[citadelgrrl05]

you are a complete idiot, this proves nothing except that they cut of quotes where he clearly stated more, is this your smoking gun, this is completely laughable!!! you better get use to saying president obama!!! Cause it will happen, he is a once ia lifetime leader!!!

[Ajita]

---"Fox news Hannity & Colmes, Greta Van Susteren speak more of the truth"

Alright, O'Reilly, you can come out now, we all know who you are.

[oogabooga]

I believe Obama taught CONSITUTIONAL law. He is an expert on our governing document - the one Bush called "just that goddamned piece of paper" and rules like a dictator. For that reason alone, Obama will govern with respect instead of contempt for our Constitution. AND, hopefully he will repeal some of the more fascist parts of Bush's "Patriot" laws.

[patriotscholar]

And his undergraduate Bachelor's degree was in political science, International relations.

[4wehttam]

Every single person in Billary's campaign should get down on their hands and knees and ask forgiveness for their lying, cheating, threatening, deceitful, make-believe, did I say LYING behavior. This campaign is completely out of control and they just need to STFU.

[wittgene]

A major and credible university, such as University of Chicago, has put out a statement on this issue and this settles it for me.

[lisakaz]

They sure are that. Can't believe some don't know this, given Milton Friedman and Allan Bloom taught there (the law schools of a university often are run separately, much like med schools -- universities are BIG entities).