Obama writes article for Charleston Law Review
Charleston School of Law student Matt Kendall threw out the suggestion half-jokingly when the law review staff was discussing who they might get to write articles for the upcoming issue.
"Maybe we could get Senator Obama to do it for us," the third-year student and editor of the Charleston Law Review recalls saying.
Democrat Barack Obama contributing to the scholarly law journal wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility, Kendall said, as candidates from both parties have been feverishly trying to make themselves known in the early primary state of South Carolina. It was a long shot, he said, but one that paid off.
Obama, who was president of the Harvard Law Review when he was a law student, has contributed the introductory essay for the Charleston Law Review's next issue, which will be published in January. The essay focuses on how lawyers have a responsibility to use their knowledge and power to help others and shape America.
Obama's contribution is a boon for the law school, which opened in 2004 with a stated commitment to public service, Kendall said. And it will likely make it easier for the fledgling law review to attract more high-quality authors, he said.
When Kendall learned that Obama would write for the next issue, "I was jumping up and down," he said. "I danced around the library a little bit."
Kevin Griffis, communications director for Obama's South Carolina campaign, said he's not sure how unusual it is for Obama to write for a law review. But, he said, the senator taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago. "He takes the law very seriously and he takes education very seriously," Griffis said. "When the chance came to document that, he didn't want to pass it up."
In the article, Obama says of lawyers, "We are not like other professionals with a skill to sell to the highest bidder. ... We are often relied on to be participants in the debate over rights and power; we are called on to be stewards of public order, justice and democracy; we are called on to be architects and catalysts both for making real the American dream, and for protecting people from abuse around the globe."
Kendall said the students "were looking for a big introduction to the book that would make us proud to be law students." And he thinks Obama delivered that.
Will Cook, a professor at Charleston School of Law and the faculty adviser for the law review, said he was surprised that Obama agreed to write for the publication. "All (presidential) candidates are busy now, with limited time and resources," he said.
But Obama's essay "signals that the Charleston Law Review is starting to gain some national attention," he said.
Kendall said the law review will be available free to the public in early January at www.charlestonlawreview.org. The essay carries an inspiring message about service that anyone can understand, he said. "It will make you want to go to law school."
Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
DanniD (anonymous) says...
This definitely says something about Obama. He is extremely busy right now, but he took the time out to write this article. Things such as this encourage me to further investigate the candidate, and consider giving him my vote.
December 6, 2007 at 7:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
Giuliani is who my vote is for.
December 6, 2007 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
I'm still on the fence with Obama. His lack of experience and naivete is a problem that I don't think he can overcome by January '09. On the other hand, having a fresh face would probably do this country some good. His foreign policy leaves a lot to be desired, he will need to surround himself with the best thinkers and shakers in order to protect our interests.
December 6, 2007 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
Early: Oh please. Everyone makes mistakes. Clinton smoked up and was voted into another term. Hell, if Presidents could run for a 3rd term, he probably would've won even after the Lewinski mishap. I think it says alot about your character to sit here and judge me by the candidate I support. I agree with his views on Abortion, Gun Control, and Healthcare. Attack that, I'm sure you will.
December 6, 2007 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ayarkay (anonymous) says...
Good for Charleston Law School for getting a "celebrity" contributor. I'm sure Obama's essay will be intelligent and well-reasoned, he's a smart man. I'm still not sure who I'm voting for, but he's right up at the top of my list!
December 6, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
POPPI (anonymous) says...
I CANNOT AND WILL NOT WASTE MY VOTE ON A MAN WHO WILL NOT
EVEN LOOK AT THE AMERICAN FLAG DURING THE PLAYING OF OUR
NATIONAL ANTHEM.THE ISSUE IS NOT WETHER HE IS BLACK,WHITE,OR
BROWN ENOUGH TO LEAD OR COUNTRY. HE IS NOT AMERICAN ENOUGH FOR ME!
December 6, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
Early: LOL
December 6, 2007 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DanniD (anonymous) says...
what was the deal with Obama and the national athem...I never really heard the whole story. Did he intentionally not look at the flag during the athem?
December 6, 2007 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
You have to wonder; if one from an Islamic background will not pledge allegiance to a flag which represents our great nation, what WILL he pledge allegiance to?
December 6, 2007 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
POPPI (anonymous) says...
Yes DanniD,
It was at a Democratic Gathering with Sen. Clinton,SEN.
Richardson and Sen.Obama.During the National Anthem Obama
is looking away from the flag with his head down as Sen. Clinton and Sen. Richarson look towards the flag with hands
on thier hearts as you would expect an American to do.You
of course don't hear or see certain things from the liberal news outlets.
December 6, 2007 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DanniD (anonymous) says...
did anyone ever ask him why he did not pay the proper respect to the flag?
December 6, 2007 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madd_dog2020 (anonymous) says...
I'm still on the fence with Obama. His lack of experience and naivete is a problem that I don't think he can overcome by January '09. On the other hand, having a fresh face would probably do this country some good. His foreign policy leaves a lot to be desired, he will need to surround himself with the best thinkers and shakers in order to protect our interests.
The President we have now lacked all the before mentioned qualifications and education, but you guy's voted for him. This brings to mind something I heard on the news. A report asked a white male if he would vote for Obama? The Man said, "I am not racist or anything, but I will never vote for a black man running for President"; but he's not a racist, right:
December 6, 2007 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
First - I am not voting for anyone whose own kids dont even speak to him. Yeah, Clinton had Lewinski but he didn't move her stupid butt up in the white house while his young child was still living there with Hilary. Who does that? I have heard of some things but that takes the cake.
Ok, so you won't vote for Obama because he wouldn't look at the flag during the national anthem? That has to be one of the most idiotic things I have heard so far on P&C. If I don't look at the flag during the nation anthem that must mean I don't respect the flag or the country? Maybe he was looking in the other direction because he saw someone. Pure craziness. I swear, if you don't want to vote him find some other excuse please. Inexperience I get, but b/c he didn't look at a flag? Makes absolutely no sense.
PS - His dad is Kenyan and maybe came from an Islamic background but since he walked out of his life at a young age I really don't see what his religious affiliation has to do with Obama. Especially since it was his Mom that raised him mostly. People will find any little thing to gripe about.
December 6, 2007 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jsks (anonymous) says...
Why are folks discussing this petty issue? We have a war in Iraq and lets not forget Afganistan, an economy teetering on recession, a housing market that is showing major signs of stress, kids walking into malls shooting people at random and a President who recently vetoed a childrens health insurance program and an appropriations bill that would help reverse the steady decline in federal education funding over the past 6 years? Where are our priorities?
Before people make assumptions, they should do their research. Here are 2 websites that help explain the Obama issue that you all are so focused on.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-c...
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/...
As long as you keep letting the media, whether you think it is liberal or conservative, feed you information, you will continue to let issues such as this divide the country.
I still haven't decided who I am voting for, but I will tell you one thing, this is an important election and if the comments on this board are any indication of how serious the country is about addressing the real issues, we are in deep trouble.
December 6, 2007 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jsks (anonymous) says...
No problem Early...just trying to add to the conversation.
December 6, 2007 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NakedYoga (anonymous) says...
This article isn't really about politics. Let's congratulate the Charleston School of Law on this major accomplishment. This school already has some national prominence (they had a symposium recently featuring nationally-known lawyers and scholars), and its momentum shows no sign of slowing down. Matt Kendall, the rest of the Charleston Law Review, and everyone in the Charleston School of Law community should be very proud of themselves.
Congratulations.
December 6, 2007 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
I agree with most of the posts here. Congratulations to Charleston School of Law, the Obama review will really give them some clout.
I won't comment much on Obama as a candidate, but I know the more I have seen of him the more I like. I never fully make up my mind this early, but I think he's smart, fresh and has the ability to get people excited(especially young people). I liked him when he gave that fantastic speech in otherwise stereotypically dull DNC in 2004. I almost had tears in my eyes, I think no matter what happens in the next year, this man will move many people in his lifetime.
December 6, 2007 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
POPPI (anonymous) says...
You have a good point NakedYoga,the article was not political in nature but we sometimes get carried away with
things that some of us see as disrespect.Actually now that I
think about it in my younger days I a lot of contempt for our Government.So the fact that Obama does not respect the
flag is not the reason I would not cast a vote for him It
is simply that I don't agree with most Liberals.So I
admit that I was hasty in trying to make an issue of the flag thing.(calling zell miller)
December 6, 2007 at 5:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GOP10 (anonymous) says...
My main worry is that Obama, if elected, will turn out to be another Jimmy Carter. Think about it.
December 6, 2007 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mwmsc (anonymous) says...
There is nothing true about the claim that Senator Obama refuses to put his hand on his heart or say the pledge of allegiance.
As a US Senator, a presidential candidate, and a private citizen, Senator Obama regularly pledges his allegiance to the flag following all appropriate protocol.
I'd urge you to forward the following pictures and videos to anyone that has concerns about this.
Obama Leading the Pledge of Allegiance & Presiding Over the Senate on Feb. 1, 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACNJMg...
Obama Leading the Pledge of Allegiance & Presiding Over the Senate on June 21, 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC9veE...
http://www.live-pr.com/en/obama-says-...
http://web.archive.org/web/2005090616...
December 6, 2007 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
Obama would never be as bad a president as the current president in the House right now. Obama is more intelligent and wiser than Bush could ever hope to be. What experience did Bush have when he entered office? And unfortunately, he is still showing his inexperience. The only talent he possesses is being a cowboy.
Our borders are still a mess - terrorists can easily sneak into country just as illegal immigrants constantly do. And still, there is no major initiative to secure our borders. The Iraq "CIVIL" war is still a mess and our some of our soldiers are on their 3rd and 4th tours. What ever happened to "we will find Osama bin Laden" - THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR 9/11. How many years has it been?
There have been constant scandals in this administration and some of them just downright shameful. How can we forget the Hurricane Katrina blunder where people were starving and some didn't have to die after the storm had long passed.
A European leader called Bush the worst U.S. President ever. I definitely agree and many other Americans as well. Obama, or any of the other candidates, republican or democrat, can't do much worse than Bush. It just goes to show ya, money can buy a presidency.
For the sake of not being too long winded, and continue to outline the disgusting facts about this administration, I'll stop.
December 6, 2007 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
professional_blk_woman (anonymous) says...
Poppi, thank you for being big enough to admit the real reason you wont be voting for Obama. I may not agree with your opinions, but I have to respect you for your statement. Good for you!
Preachlove, I definitely agree with you. Who was watching Bush before he was watching the US? It's time to move in a different direction.
December 6, 2007 at 10:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
Residence - Yes I dare talk down Bush. I am an American citizen and there is freedom of speech here in this country the last time I checked. I note that you can't refute any of my arguments. And what gay laws are you referring to - I'm not gay. I served my country and retired from the military, I dare say I can talk about what ever I want. Care to refute any of the facts that I have presented without blindly defending a man who has caused this country nothing but harm. What has he really done about the war on terror? He vowed to find Osama - care to comment on the status of that? Let's debate that issue first. What say you?
December 7, 2007 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
est8esq (anonymous) says...
Good Job CLR! Not bad PR for a fledgling jrounal. I enjoyed the articles in the two editions to your first volume, and I look forward to seeing the second. I hope you stick with the cover you used on Vol. 1. It adds a little style to the substance within (besides, it looks good on the shelf).
December 7, 2007 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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