How to Become Famous

CHAPTER 4

The Elephant in the Room

There is an elephant in the room.

In 1991, I was teaching at the University of Chicago Law School. Michael McConnell, a colleague and friend of mine, was head of the Appointments Committee, which meant that he was in charge of hiring new faculty. He told me that he had worked with a student at Harvard Law School, who would, he thought, be a superb law professor. I asked McConnell for the student’s name.

He said, “It’s an unusual name.” I said, “Oh?” He responded: “Yes. Barack Obama.”

As you may know, Obama did end up teaching at the University of Chicago Law School. He was obviously a leader; there was something about the way he carried himself. In 1999 or so, I happened to run into him in front of the Seminary ...