I am certainly no fan of Obama, but I think the author is making a big deal out of very little.
First, if Obama got into Harvard on Affirmative Action, that’s a reflection on them, not him.
Second, Harvard has always had spots for various kinds of people, and not just blacks.
Third, I really doubt that the applicants average in the 98-99% on the LSAT, that MIGHT be what is accepted on average, but last I heard, Harvard is mum on those numbers, because they can afford to be.
Fourth, the fact that he did his undergrad work at Columbia counts for A LOT. A B- at Columbia will mean more to Harvard than A+’s at SUNY.
Fifth, polysci is not that different from any other liberal arts degree (humanities, literature, sociology) and most of the people who apply to law school have those degrees, not degrees in advanced organic chemistry.
Sixth, there are honors courses and electives that can distinguish the student as well, also outside activities (both in the University and in the world at large.)
If the man got in and did the work and graduated, good for him. He might be a decent lawyer. Given history, I will pull for the University of Idaho and the Eureka Colleges over the Harvards and Yales any day.
Seventh: The fact that he graduated magna cum laude from HLS most likely means that affirmative action did not play the central role in his admission.
Agreed.
But why would he refuse to "release his Columbia transcript or identify even a single fellow student, co-worker, roommate or friend from those years"? In addition, as I recall, he couldn't remember a single address at which he'd taken up residence.
The obvious conclusion: He's hiding something. And it ain't just a "C" report card...