Obama Revealed Little, Provoked Much as a Prof

Dem hid his notions, but unpacked complex issues

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 30, 2008 1:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama stood out as a University of Chicago law professor in the 1990s: He didn't publish, he turned down tenure, he ran for office, and he collected a coterie of adoring liberal students at a largely conservative school. Yet he provoked them to take sides more than he revealed his own ideas. Looking back, former students see what he was doing—preparing for a career in politics, the New York Times reports.

But "he was a lot more fun to listen to back then," one student said. “When you hear him talking about issues, it’s at a level so much simpler than the one he’s capable of." In class, Obama dissected complex issues and revealed hidden consequences, rather than pushing his own beliefs. Colleagues found him just as hard to pin down. "He’s always been a thoughtful listener and questioner," one professor said, "but he’s never stepped up to the plate and taken full swings.”

This photo released by Obama for America shows a Barack Obama teaching at the University of Chicago Law School. (AP Photo/Obama for America, File)

This undated photo provided by the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shows the Democratic presidential hopeful while a student of Harvard Law. (AP Photo/Obama Presidential Campaign)

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrives in Washington, Monday, July 28, 2008. (AP Photo)

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Obama Revealed Little, Provoked Much as a Prof

Dem hid his notions, but unpacked complex issues

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Obama Impressed Law School's Conservatives

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Sides will have just enough time to talk at each other

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He wouldn't have focused on stimulus, health care

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Dem hid his notions, but unpacked complex issues

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • University of Chicago • professor • bipartisanship • oratory

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Obama Impressed Law School's Conservatives

University of Chicago courted him despite liberal leanings

That's Professor Obama to You

U of Chicago refutes Clinton claim; liberal blog backs off McCain plagiarism allegation

Obama to (Sort of) Meet With GOP Leaders

Sides will have just enough time to talk at each other

Obama: Let's Be Thankful... and Start Cooperating

President uses Thanksgiving address as a call for unity

If Obama Could Do It All Over...

He wouldn't have focused on stimulus, health care

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