Alan J. Borsuk – Page 82 – Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog

Obama, Walker, and Economic Optimism Slip a Bit in New Law School Poll Results

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:July 23, 2013
Post category:Marquette Law School Political Processes & Rhetoric Public

A bit of slippage – that’s what fresh results of the Marquette Law School Poll show. The job performance ratings of President Barack Obama and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker are down a little from May, the most recent polling date. Optimism about the economy is down a bit also. None of the changes are dramatic — the job performance changes are within the margin of error of the poll – but, as a whole, they spell a message that is a notch or two less positive toward key leaders and the future than was the case in May.

For Obama, the job rating among Wisconsinites who were polled went from 48% approve and 45% disapprove in March to 50% and 45% in May and then 47% and 46% in July.

For Walker, it was 50% approve and 44% disapprove in March, 51% and 45% in May, and 48% and 46% in July.

Clinton, Ryan Do Well in Opening Round of 2016 Presidential Polling for Wisconsin

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:May 14, 2013
Post category:Marquette Law School Political Processes & Rhetoric Public Race & Law

Is it 2016 yet? No, but daily news reports and, even more so, any glimpse into political maneuvering nationwide clearly show that a lot of work is already going into laying groundwork for the next race for president. Marquette Law School Poll results released Tuesday join in the early going, showing that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is at a strong advantage in Wisconsin among potential Democratic candidates, while the Republican field is pretty wide open. That said, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan drew the most support among Republicans in Wisconsin.

Charles Franklin, director of the poll and newly-named professor of law and public policy at the Law School, said the purpose of the presidential questions at this point wasn’t to try to predict what will happen in 2016 in Wisconsin. Rather, he said, it is to begin building a picture of how the race will evolve.

That said, the poll found that 27% of those who said they were Republican or lean Republican named Ryan as their preferred candidate. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was the choice of 21%, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker drew 16%, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was picked by 11%. Those under 10% included Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (7%); former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (5%); and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (1%).

Clinton was the preference of 62% of Democrats and those who said they lean Democratic. Vice President Joe Biden was the choice of 13%. Drawing less than 10% were Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (5%); New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (4%); Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (2%); Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (1%); and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner (1%).

New Marquette Lawyer Magazine Focuses on Chicago and Milwaukee “Megacity”

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:May 6, 2013
Post category:Marquette Law School Milwaukee Public Speakers at Marquette

Provocative essays on the future of Milwaukee in the emerging Chicago megacity lead the content of a packed and wide-ranging new edition of Marquette Lawyer, the Marquette University Law School semiannual magazine.

The megacity that stretches along Lake Michigan, from north of Milwaukee down through Chicago to northwestern Indiana, was the focus of a July 2012 conference at Marquette Law School, “Milwaukee’s Future in the Chicago Megacity.” The magazine includes two essays building on presentations at that conference: “Rivalry, Resignation, and Regionalization,” by historian John Gurda, and “Flying Too Close to the Sun?” by urban blogger and expert Aaron Renn. My own contribution is an overview of efforts to build cooperation in economic development in the tri-state region.

The magazine also presents “The Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Origins of Birthright Citizenship,” an essay by Columbia University historian Eric Foner based on his Boden Lecture at Marquette Law School last fall, and “The Accidental Crime Commission: Its Legacies and Lessons,” by Franklin E. Zimring, of the University of California, Berkeley’s law school, based on his Fall 2012 Barrock Lecture here.

Marquette Law Professor David Ray Papke gave a lecture in Uganda on the connection between the law and social power. “Exploring Socio-Legal Dominance in Context: An Approach to American Legal History,” based on his talk, is included in the new magazine.

The magazine also contains news of the Law School and of some of its students and alumni. The printed magazine is being sent to Law School students and alumni across the country and to many others. You can get a jump on reading this issue on the Law School’s website.

To read the interactive version of the magazine, click here.

To read specific articles and sections, click on any of these:

For all three pieces on the Chicago megacity, click here.

The individual pieces are available by clicking on each of these:

Emerging Megacity: Perspectives on the Future of Chicago and Milwaukee

Thinking and Acting (and Flourishing?) as a Region

Rivalry, Resignation, and Regionalization

Flying Too Close to the Sun?

And you can click on each of these:

The Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Origins of Birthright Citizenship

The Accidental Crime Commission: Its Legacies and Lessons

Exploring Socio-Legal Dominance in Context: An Approach to American Legal History