Super Tuesday Watch Party

Hi Lawdems,

This past Tuesday we had super turn out at our Super Tuesday Watch Party at the Arbor Brewing Company. There was a really good vibe, everyone excited and happy to be a Democrat. A not-insignificant number in attendance was still torn between Big O and the Hillster, and as the results came in, the only thing that was clear was that we would have to wait some more to have a Democratic nominee. Frustrating? Maybe a little. But what a great race!

Some photos:

Yay e-board! Ben, Erik and John looking delighted.

Our new president Tyler and new VP John taking it all in.

WELCOME BACK DEMS BAR NIGHT!

The Law School Democrats Invite you to an exciting BAR NIGHT! Come by MITCH'S THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 at 6:00!

You look so attractive and tanned from your glorious summer. Why don't we reconnect? What is your favorite presidential beard? Is it Chester A. Arthur or Rutherford B. Hayes? Discuss these sober questions and so much more: the presidential campaign, the Iraq War, that New Guy Who Will Be Attorney General Thursday night!

- Erik

Campaign Opportunities

The National Democratic Law Students Council recently posted links and contact info for how to get more involved in presidential campaigns. Check it out here.

This may be the perfect extracurricular activity for the summer months. Or better yet, if you're still looking for a summer job, this might be just it.

BAR NIGHT!

The Law School Democrats invite you to our spring bar night. It may only be 40 degrees outside, but in Ann Arbor anything above 32 degrees counts as the onset of spring (at least in my book). We are bar-nighting it up at Dominick's from 6:30 to 8:30 this Thursday, March 22.

Admitted students will be in town for preview weekend, so in addition to talking Barak v. Hillary, we can also talk about how UM Law is a great community. If you have questions, contact our fearless leader, Erik Buehmann: buehmann at umich dot edu.

This Just In! New York Times Scooped By a Gaggle of Law Dorks.

The hacks at the New York Times just published a story about Candidate Lit, a story we broke here at the Michigan Law School Democrats Blog almost a month ago! The story (which might as well just be a link to my blog post) is here. The unreliable rag even has some of its facts wrong. Mike Huckabee did not write one book, he wrote one library of books. Perhaps this is why the press does not regard Huckabee as seriously as it should.

-Erik

Franken is in!

Today Al Franken officially joined the race for US Senate from Minnesota to contest the seat currently held by Republican (former Democrat) Norm Coleman. Coleman, you might remember, was elected days after proud Minnesota progressive Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash. From the wreakage of his impending defeat at the hands of the firey Wellstone, Coleman wrested a narrow victory over DFL lion and former Vice President Walter Mondale, who took Wellstone's place on the ticket. Now Franken becomes the first DFLer to join the race to take back what is rightfully ours.

In my conversations with DFL activists and members of the Minnesota Legislature, opinions on the Franken candidacy are mixed. Everyone likes Franken as an activist, but some are concerned that he will not be taken seriously enough by voters. This is certainly a valid concern, especially given Norm's strength on the stump, but I believe the concern is overblown. With the exception of Keith Ellison, many of the candidates garnering the support of party activists in multi-party contests tend to lack a certain fire, even though they tend to be strong on issues of progressive policy. And let's not forget the willingness of Minnesotans to choose unconventional candidates.

This Event Will Rock Your World

On Wednesday, February 21, the Michigan Law School Democrats are presenting a special Congressional Preview in Hutchins Hall, room 250. We've put together a stellar panel of professors to discuss the challenges ahead for the 110th Congress. They'll be talking about what we, humble constituents, can expect in the coming months from both parties, how the Congress has performed so far, the impact of the run-up to the 2008 election, and other juicy topics. It should be a lively discussion (non-partisan, by the by) and enlightening. Did I mention the burritos? There will be burritos. To eat.

The panelists include:

Professor Sally Katzen, Public Interest/Public Service Faculty Fellow, University of Michigan Law, and Former Deputy Director, Office of Management and Budget (1999-2001)

Professor Marvin Krislov, Vice President and General Counsel of the University of Michigan

Professor James Levinsohn, J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor, Ford School of Public Policy

If you have questions, contact Erik Buehman, buehmann at umich.edu.