University of Michigan lobbied grads Eugene Kang, Valerie Jarrett to land Obama commencement
The University of Michigan tapped a deep roster of alumni with close connections to President Barack Obama to lobby for the president to deliver the 2010 spring commencement address, an executive said today.
Among those solicited: U-M grad Eugene Kang, a special assistant to the president, and White House adviser and 1981 U-M law grad Valerie Jarrett, considered to be one of Obama’s best friends.
“We enlisted the support of a lot of folks who are familiar with the university and are in a position to help persuade,” said Cynthia Wilbanks, U-M’s vice president for government relations.
University of Michigan grad Eugene Kang shakes then-President-elect Barack Obama's hand prior to a round of golf in Kailua, Hawaii, on Dec. 21, 2008.
Photo by Associated Press
“We are persistent and, I think, were helped by a lot of people along the way large and small. I can’t point to one person or one event that tipped the scales.”
Reached by cell phone, Kang, whose job means he’s always close to the president’s side, said press inquiries had to be routed through the White House press office.
But he said Obama’s decision was “exciting news.”
“I’m not the only Wolverine here in the White House,” said Kang, a graduate of Ann Arbor's Greenhills School who unsuccessfully ran for Ann Arbor City Council in 2005.
Wilbanks acknowledged Kang, a golf partner of the president, probably played a role.
White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, a 1981 University of Michigan law school graduate, appears on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Photo by Associated Press
“Eugene is a very energetic supporter of both the university and the president,” Wilbanks said. “And I have to say Eugene was certainly amongst the group that were hopeful and, I’m guessing, a bit influential.”
Political experts say that, among Obama’s team, Valerie Jarrett is a particularly influential player.
She was “part of the group that we actually enlisted for help,” Wilbanks said.
U-M announced Thursday Obama would become the first sitting U.S. president to visit the university since George H. W. Bush in 1991.
Obama will speak at U-M’s spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. May 1. He will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree. Ticket information has not been released, but the commencement ceremony at Michigan Stadium typically includes about 40,000 people, the university said.
|
Commencement coverage |
"President Obama has captured the imagination and enthusiasm of many students with his inspiring words of hope and change. We are honored to welcome a leader of his distinction and look forward to his message," Coleman said in a statement released yesterday.Â
"We could not be happier for the graduates who will celebrate their academic achievements with the president of the United States."
Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Comments
bedrog
Tue, Feb 16, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.
moderators...you have once again allowed "conspiracy theory " nonsense re 9/11 ( from a poster who is almost certainly shifting from computer to computer to disguise multiple identities/ip numbers) in the service of a particular foreign policy monomania that is devoid of right and reason. you know who i mean
Delete Please
Tue, Feb 16, 2010 : 8:04 a.m.
The Obama administration is also to be held responsible for threatening states a lack of education funding if they attempt to moderate or interfere with the unchecked proliferation of charter schools within their borders. Rhode Island said, We want to decide where and how many charters. Arne Duncan said, We will show Rhode Island why it is they've made a very bad decision. So, while Obama is pouring money into an invasion (important nomenclature - there was no "war" in Iraq) in Afg, he's also attempting to institute a for-profit, hypercapitalist educational scheme to suffocate already struggling public education. Let's get together to protest his arrival in AA, and let him know we elected him to Be the Change, not Withhold the Change.
Mipatriot
Sun, Feb 14, 2010 : 9:30 p.m.
OK, enough of the bickering. Obama just doesn't belong here, in Michigan, at a time of the state's worst unemployment. Like his stimulus solutions, once he leaves, the boost to the city's economy will quickly dissipate by Sunday afternoon. Libs: admit that you were tricked to vote for Obama by his promises that he knew he couldn't/wouldn't fulfill, admit that you will soon be paying more in taxes ("not a dime more, not one thin dime" said our currently "agnostic" president), that he is continuing down the same path as Bush in the middle east wars (e.g., an Iraq-like surge, in Afghanistan, right now), closing Gitmo-Cuba while opening a Gitmo-Illinois prison; and the list goes on and on. So join us in protest, across the street from the UM Stadium, on Commencement Day. Let's tell Obama, in a respectful way and within our First Amendment rights, to take his radical ideas and false hopes and promises somewhere else (we're not buying that anymore!), to stop the profligate spending, and to preserve the Constitution that this republic was founded on.
seekerofwisdom
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 7:11 p.m.
TO: Carl and other likeminded, Cynicism has its own zealots. TO: Big Game and others, Did you consider that the lay offs might be delayed (or reduced) as a result of the President of the United States' appearance? TO: Grinch, Keep up the good work! Ditto. As a lifelong A2 resident, I am disappointed of the dogmatic persona that has encapsulated this city.
Jello Biafra
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 4:41 p.m.
so much petty bickering...gosh, I remember when people were actually EXCITED to see a President speak at graduation. What is happening to this country? I hope to be there, listening to our President (for the third time in person) and recognizing what a great honor it is to have Barack Obama speak at the University of Michigan.
a2dancelady
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.
Just curious... why do so many of you who so actively dislike Ann Arbor and the University still live here? Seems like you'd be happier someplace else. I'm sure that a certain person perpetually in the news would gladly advise you on better places to live where people are "real Americans"! As for me, I'm proud to live in a vibrant town which is the seat of a world class university (yes, I'm a graduate and a UM retiree) and delighted that our President will be the commencement speaker.
tdw
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.
Athough I don't like Obama he is the president this is still pretty big.As for the cost maybe EMU could shed some light as Clinton did visit EMU when he was president ( BTW he went to Abe's Coney Island)
Paula
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 1:01 p.m.
It is amazing to me how the people on this site can take something as great as the President of the United States delivering the commencement speech at Michigan & turn it into a political squabble. If you spent half as much time actually doing something as you do complaining and nitpicking every story, imagine what a better place Ann Arbor would be! As someone who will be graduating this May I am incredibly excited to have Obama speak at my commencement, not because he is a Democrat or because of his policies or beliefs but because he is the current president & I don't really think that can be topped. I agree with the previous posters that this is great for Ann Arbor tourism & that also that UM needs to foot the bill, since I can't imagine how much it's going to cost to implement the necessary security measures.
The Grinch
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
Stunshif: so much anger, so few facts. Walker: OK, you (and others) apparently have forgotten that we were attacked on 9/11 by a terrorist organization aided and abetted by the Talliban gov't of Afghanistan. Most (though certainly not all) of us who opposed the Shrub regime were upset by (among other things) the incompetent prosecution of an illegal and unnecessary war in Iraq while prosecuting just incompetent though necessary war in Afghanistan. From where I sit, Obama is doing his best to get us out of Iraq a quickly as possible while not causing political instability in that country. This might be "Mission Impossible," but to pull out precipitously as some on this board suggest we should would be just as immoral as staying there forever. To use Colin Powell's aphorism, we broke the china and we have some obligation now to fix it. But clearly Obama has drawn a limit to American combat commitment to the Iraqi gov't. And, yes, I understand that Obama's approach in Iraq differs little from that of Shrub when he left office. But even a stopped clock is right twice a day. As for Afghanistan, what a mess left to the current president, but to suggest that immediate withdrwal is a reasobable or even moral policy suggests a strange definition of reasonableness and of morality. The logical question regarding Afghanistan, it seems to me, is not whether or not the US should stay. It is whether there is any reasonable chance of our continued involvement there bringing a stable government to Afghanistan, and whether our continued involvement there threatens further destabilization of Pakistan. There are no good options here--just gradations of bad ones that are the result of 8 year of Shrub incompetence. And all of this, BTW, while fighting Republicans in Congress at every turn regarding how to conduct these wars, the very same Republicans who charged those who opposed Shnrub's policies were unpatriotic. Hmmmmmmmmm. This is the mess that Shrub left Obama--an incompetently run and poorly resourced war against the people who actually attacked us while fighting and optional and equally incompetently run war against a nation that had done nothing to us. So any parallels you might see between Obama's wars and those of Shrub are purely illusory.
walker101
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 11:51 a.m.
I think the UM should invite the Tea Party ont the same day. I'll bet they'll be more supporters.
walker101
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 11:45 a.m.
Our solders are still being killed and with the insurgence in Afghan where 100,000 troops are going to be sent from Iraq no one seems to care. Where are all those protesters when we were in Iraq, the libs were up in arms and hated the Bush killer, how easy we change our minds, how dare we speak against the president only because he is African American and if you do you're considered a racist,I guess I don't care for the change and I don't care for his rhetoric.
stunhsif
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 11:31 a.m.
"When the facts get in the way, just hold to your opinions" Ya right, kinda like the pot calling the kettle black. Who is going to pay for all the extra security that will be needed, can A2.com find that out? It should be the U of M, not A2 taxpayers!
Engineer
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 10:30 a.m.
Funny how people do not understand how are pockets are picked. If Ann Arbor pays or the University of Michigan pays they are both public institutions owned by us. Do you want to pay out of your left pocket or your right pocket. Either way you pay. If the U pays and State cuts funding for this they simply increase tuition. My neice is looking at going to my alma matter the U of M next year and is being told plan on $24000 for one year. That makes a 4 year degree run close to $100,000 if you do not need an extra term or more. Talk about pressing the middle class down. How many families can afford that especially if they have more than one child?
annarbor28
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 10:26 a.m.
agreed per Germany, Tony, but will annarbor.com do some journalistic legwork and try to find out if the U will bear the cost of hosting this highly placed politician, and not the City of A2, since this is a costly U-M event? I think we deserve to get the figures. Also, since the Stadium bridge services the U's football crowds, and their construction trucks most likely were its final insult, how about asking how much they are contributing to its repair?
A2K
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
I think it's wonderful that President Obama will be delivering the commencement address...wish I could see it live, as I'm sure it will be memorable! We had President Clinton for my graduation, it's an honor for the President to take time to do these events. p.s. Best way to get rid of the Trolls is to ignore the behavior/crazy comments.
The Grinch
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 10:12 a.m.
E: I was going to let this pass, but since you insist on pursuing this line, Germany experienced the inflation you speak of in the early 1920s and, again, in the early 1930s. It went to war in 1939. Its wartime economy was ruined, not by inflation, but by allied bombs. Try again.
E
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 9:47 a.m.
V...reason, Historical accounts of Germany/Austria in the 1930's will show that this current administration is leading us to the same fate. Left unchecked and we will repeat history.
annarbor28
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.
Personally, I would prefer to have a successful alum speak, but if the U wants the President, then at least they need to pick up the full cost. We need firefighters, police, snow removal and highway/bridge repair. We do NOT need sculpture, more parking structures, a new city hall, poorly placed section 8 housing, etc etc etc. or bearing the cost to host politicians. The U-M can stand on its own reputation and successful grads, we don't need highly placed politicians to uplift us.
annarbor28
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.
annarbor.com: can you do some investigation as to where the money will come from to host the President and his entourage? Ann Arbor has serious financial problems, and with the U not paying taxes, I would hope that the U will pick up the FULL cost for its graduation proceedings and associated events and costs, including those related to the President coming here. As to increased tourism that weekend, there is always an increase in visitors here during commencement. This may actually make it more difficult for grads and their relatives, due to increased security, traffic, hotel rooms being taken by the press, etc.
The Grinch
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.
Several of the posters here remind me of an article that ran recently in "The Onion": "Area Man Passionate Defender Of What He Imagines Constitution To Be" The link is: http://www.theonion.com/content/news/area_man_passionate_defender_of Of course, I guess it's no longer satire when it becomes true.
LB
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 9:18 a.m.
Hey, I'm hoping he will have time to tee it up with me at the blue course next door!
TripleVSix
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 9:10 a.m.
Obama voted FOR the spending and the associated debt when he was in the Senate. He ownes it as much as anyone else. Add to that the fact that he in was over his head (above his pay grade) economically, the sum total is a complete economic disaster.
David Wallner
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 8:35 a.m.
During President Obama's visit to Ann Arbor he should give special thanks and recognition for the overwhelming support given to him at the polls during the '08 election. If everyone brings their old IMPEACH BUSH lawn signs to the event I am sure the President will make sure we get even more attention via the Jobs Bill.
Dr. I. Emsayin
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 8:22 a.m.
It sounds like there are enough disgruntled McCain/Palin supporters that I may be able to score some tickets to commencement. I hope that the President gets an audience of those who respect him and his office. I'm looking for tickets!
Cash
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 8:17 a.m.
Thick One, So you viewed this country as strong, vibrant and moving upward in the world until a year ago? Wow, amazing.
Dan Coughlin
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 8:11 a.m.
Do you think Eugene Kang can arrange to have Obama bring some money to Ann Arbor to fix the Stadium Blvd. bridge?
MjC
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 7:53 a.m.
So many disgruntled comments about a rare event that we should all be thrilled about whether it's a visit by a Democrat or Republican President of the U.S. People fail to realize that the UM has the largest alumni in the world who donate enormous amounts of money to support a variety programs and initiatives. Obama's visit and the security measures to be taken will all be covered financially by the UM. And Ann Arbor and other nearby cities will only benefit from this visit. Restaurants and hotels will be full. Clothing and gift stores will certainly see an increase in business. Money will flow into our town as well as surrounding communities. And for a short moment in time Ann Arbor and the State of Michigan will be positively recognized by the news media as a place worthy of a visit by a President of the United States. How is this a bad thing?
The Grinch
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 7:36 a.m.
When the facts get in the way, just hold to your opinions.
voiceofreason
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 3:27 a.m.
The Grinch, To claim Obama is doing a good job by cutting "projected budget deficits", while the current budget proposal does the opposite, is what I would simply call "funny math". That number is about as vague as the "Jobs Created or Saved" analysis used by this administration. Think about the ridiculousness of your given statistics, and the conclusion you are attempting to justify by using them.
voiceofreason
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 3:18 a.m.
V, I agree with you in principal about coming inflation, but a comparison to 1930's Germany is simply absurd. You have to come up better historical period to compare it to.........
Thick Candy Shell
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 12:27 a.m.
@grinch, keep drinking that Kool Aide, it is doing great for you. The TARP was a joke and can be put on the Bush Presidency, but not the stimulus. If you actually believe the "Stimulus" is lowering deficits, there is no hope for you. You have officially joined the Socialist Party.
Thick Candy Shell
Sat, Feb 13, 2010 : 12:04 a.m.
Why should I have a respect for a man who wants to destroy the Country that I love and want to keep at the top. He wants to implement a socialist state that has never worked and will never work. We need cuts in taxes and cuts in entitlements to force people to get off of their but and work.
The Grinch
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 11:59 p.m.
Thick Candy Shell: Sigh. Let me explain it to you. The last Shrub budget (FY 2009--started Oct. 1 2008--budget submitted by Shrub in the Fall of 2007) ran a $1.9 Trillion Deficit. Subtract from that the roughly $700 billion Obama stimulus = $1.2 Trillion Dollar deficit for FY 2009 the day Obama took office. See: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt_histo5.htm There is no way that anyone could balance that budget in the near future. Cutting spending and/or raising taxes by $1.2 Trillion would have dire consequences for the economy. So, no matter who became president in 2009, and no matter what they wanted to do, they were going to be stuck with annual deficits above $1 Trillion for the short term. When Shrub left office the CBO proejection was an 8-year deficit in the $10 Trillion range. The current CBO projection places it at close to $6 Trillion. See: http://www.cbo.gov/budget/budproj.shtml So, in fact, Obama's programs and his efforts to grow the economy have cut the projected budget deficits by near $4 Trillion. Gotta love those tax and spend Democrats like Clinton and Obama. All they do is fix the messes created by Republicans and then the Republicans take charge and they break the bank.
djm12652
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 11:02 p.m.
@Big Game, I agree completely; the University should cover the burden of security for Pres Obama's visit. The vehicle and foot traffice during commencement is horrendous as is, the additional security issues with the President coming to town is going to be magnified 10X!
djm12652
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 10:52 p.m.
okay, my two cents worth...1]President Obama is a politican and 2] a lawyer...will anyone believe what he has to say? And to Thick Candy Shell as well as The Grinch, your terminologies show a gross disrespect to both men. A former and sitting President should be showed respect for the office, not juvenile name calling.
Big Game
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 9 p.m.
Hopefully we will see some figures in the near future that will give us an idea of cost. What will it cost A2 vs the U of M? I suspect this will cost A2 much more than we will get in return for our efforts. Try to convince the next laid off firefighter or police officer how this is a great idea! Since it was the U of M that did the inviting they should be footing the bill.
Thick Candy Shell
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 7:46 p.m.
How in the world is it even possible to inherit something that is projected????? Some one is not in the real world. Barry was in office when they passed the slush fund called "Stimulus".
The Grinch
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 6:47 p.m.
If Shrub bashing means reminding us that Obama INHERITED a projected $10 Trillion dollar deficit from 2009 to 2017 from Shrub (in other words, if Shrub-bashing means speaking truth to power), you are right. Get ready for Shrub bashing.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 5:30 p.m.
"Bush bashing will no doubt be on agenda" Kind of like the Obama bashing is on the agenda in here?
daveM
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 3:56 p.m.
One has to wonder how much this invitation is going to cost our cash strapped law enforcement agencies in order to provide security for this visit. Oh well, I guess Obama needs more face time to press for his monatary nation breaking policies. Such an invitation from the UofM is hardly surprising. Its a fulfillment of its own arrogant underpinnings.
Carl Duncan
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 3:53 p.m.
Can only expect Obama to do some more apologizing for the United States in front of U.M audience. Bush bashing will no doubt be on agenda. And never mind "Read His Lips: Middle Class taxes," said Investor Business Daily editorial page A10 February 12, 2010.