Cook for Regent in 2014?

Submitted by mbrummer on

Brian has already said he would run for Regent in 2016.  

With his approval,  could we start a 2014 Write in campaign  in 2014?

I think it may accomplish two things:   a large write in vote total may get the attention of Brian's preferred party, also it might scare the current regents into acting on Brandon if they had not done so already.

However, we must be careful.  Since as soon as he spends or receives money, he is required to fill out lots of paperwork.

Edit; The chances of winning an write in election is 0%.  The winning vote totals in the last non-presidential election cycle for the regents was 1.3 million.   The idea is to get about 20K write in votes so the current board might take notice.

 

go16blue

October 1st, 2014 at 9:21 PM ^

University does a lot more than hire and fire AD's. Brian is a fantastic sports blogger but I don't want him anywhere near the university in such a capacity.

jmblue

October 2nd, 2014 at 1:08 PM ^

Suspend your personal affection for Brian for a minute. Say there was a candidate on the ballot - a guy you don't know at all - whose accomplishments were founding an obscure comedy newspaper and writing a sports blog. Would you, in good conscience, check his name for Regent of the state's flagship university?

I don't think this is a great idea.

Marshall44

October 1st, 2014 at 9:26 PM ^

I really don't agree with this take.  Brian has shown himself to be reasonable and successful all on his own merit.  Of course it would be great to have a fans perspecive represented, but from a University perspective, wouldn't it be nice to have an "outsiders" point of view?  Brian for Regent indeed!

coldnjl

October 1st, 2014 at 9:50 PM ^

Yes....the regents are way more qualified to lead an elite academic institution into the future.

http://www.regents.umich.edu/about/bios/

Brian has a great blog, but these regents all have JDs, MDs, etc and are highly accomplished in fields that translate well to running a multi-billion dollar enterprise. I pray this is all just a joke

SalvatoreQuattro

October 1st, 2014 at 10:00 PM ^

We have seen that all throughout this country in both the private and public sectors. The excessive faith in education when it comes to leadership is one aspect of the problem that is facing this country.

 

I'm not saying Brian or anyone with less education is as or more qualified. Not at all. But I think we are mistaken in assuming that a JD or MD means someone is competent to do a job like a regent at an university.

 

coldnjl

October 1st, 2014 at 10:07 PM ^

of course...but take Bernstein for example. He has demonstrated not just compency but excellence, as well as truly given time towards diversity outreach programs. He has been put up for various honors and honorary positions.Take Dr. Diggs, who completed the UM trifecta of undergrad, medical school, and residency (impressive feats) and has maintained a strong presence in the community.

There is no sure thing (coaches anyone?), but give me civic leaders with degrees anytime over a person of the people. 

MileHighWolverine

October 1st, 2014 at 11:05 PM ^

You can have a mix, you know. They don't all have to be MD's and JD's although I think a majority should have the degree credenials. Only thing bothering me about regents is lack of term limits. One I know of was elected when I was a student close to 20 years ago. That's too long for any public position.

Bigku22

October 1st, 2014 at 11:22 PM ^

Just because someone obtains a higher form of education does not instantly make them a better candidate, stop being a sheep and thinking a JD or an MBA is some form right to passage. Those degrees are easily obtainable and are a dime a dozen these days.

I would trust Brian based on his sound use of analytics and his work ethic, plus his deep passion for the University. He has also shown a business sense in developing this site and making it profitable.

Just classifying him as a "sports blogger" is a typical small minded argument (very common in politics) that people will use to downgrade his credibility.

Stack up Dave Brandon's and Brian's credentials next to each other and it's not a comparison. But honestly your telling me if Brian was AD the last 5 years the department and football team wouldn't be in better shape?

Owl

October 1st, 2014 at 11:33 PM ^

Their qualifications go well being just having a JD or MD. Read their bios, these are not random ambulance chasers picked off the street. 

"But honestly your telling me if Brian was AD the last 5 years the department and football team wouldn't be in better shape?"

I believe the department would be worse off if Brian were AD, yes.

jballen4eva

October 2nd, 2014 at 7:03 AM ^

"Stack up Dave Brandon's and Brian's credentials next to each other and it's not a comparison."  

True, Brian has yet to oversee a publicly-traded company that shed 40% of its stock value during on his watch, or an athletic department that has increased its administrative spending dramatically on his watch.   

JHendo

October 2nd, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^

Impressive educational credentials, no doubt.  However, do you know that almost half of all CEO's world wide don't have more than a Bachelors degree?  That includes 16% of Fortune 500 companies where their fearless leader doesn't have an advanced degree.  Yes, I understand that a fair amount of those people (especially those without any degree at all) are often certified geniuses in their respective field, but educational merits have less to do with business competence than the rest of the corporate world leads us to believe.

I am not advocating Brian for Regent as the running joke on this site is perpetuating, but I'm saying potential mixed with proven results in the business world should be focused on much more than how many letters are after someone's name...

tbeindit

October 1st, 2014 at 10:07 PM ^

I think this is a fair point, but relatively unfounded.  Maybe I just don't know, but I'm not sure Brian has ever expressed his beliefs beyond sports and some minor policy comments.  For me, I think it's unfair to vote for a Regent based on random sports comments, but if this actually developed into something, I wouldn't necessarily being opposed assuming he would give a more comprehensive view on his policy/plan.

LSAClassOf2000

October 1st, 2014 at 9:35 PM ^

Most of the candidacy filing deadlines for the state ballot in Michigan are in a period from about March to July, altough local stuff sometimes sits a bit outside that range. Of course, this is a statewide thing, so at this point, write-in would be the only way and it would sadly be difficult to organize such a campaign in this short time before November 4th (I think that's the date). 

deemarsah

October 2nd, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^

In Michigan, write in votes don't count, they just get tossed, unless the candidate being written in filed a declaration of intent to receive write in votes:

http://www.lwvmi.org/voting/FAQ/writeInCandidates.html

"HOW CAN I VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHOSE NAME IS NOT ON THE BALLOT (A"WRITE-IN CANDIDATE)?

If you want to write in the name of someone who is not on the ballot and have your vote count, you may do so in the space provided on your ballot. Write-in votes will be counted only if that person has filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate as required by law. See one exception below."

"HOW CAN I BECOM A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE?

You must file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the filing official for the office you seek on or before 4 p.m. on the second Friday immediately before the election."

elhead

October 1st, 2014 at 9:31 PM ^

what is this? the 5th Brian for Regent thread? I doubt that he wants to be a regent, and we've already had plenty of opportunities to weigh in on the subject.

El Jeffe

October 2nd, 2014 at 8:05 AM ^

Why do you doubt he wants to be a Regent? Was it his multiple statements that "I am running for Regent in 2016" that tipped you off?

However, I agree that we don't need 5 Brian for Regent threads.

MosherJordan

October 1st, 2014 at 9:54 PM ^

What's his stance on the dean of LSA? What about the issues facing the engineering school? How about the financial footing of Mott? Can he even name one non-athletic issue facing the university?



Brian seems like a good enough guy, but as much as I love Michigan athletics, and want the regents to act to fire Brandon, I agree with Schlissel; the mission of the university is academics and not athletics. If I had to choose between the athletic and academic reputation of the university, I choose a academic every time. Football and other sports do help create a tribal vibe that I think is good for UM, but I think perspective is in order. If Brian has nothing to contribute to the academic mission of UM, he has ZERO business even running for regent.



He seems a smart guy though, so if he can educate himself on the real issues facing the university and articulate it to me as part of a regent campaign, I'd listen.

ziggolfer

October 1st, 2014 at 10:01 PM ^

I think his sole focus would transition away from Mgoblog, centralize to being a regent, and make the campus the best place it can possibly be in every aspect. Most people, myself included, would have their day jobs (law practice, dermatology practice, etc), whic would be their primary concern. Doesn't mean he would succeed, but he would give it his all. 

Maize and Blue…

October 1st, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^

Brian may not want to be a regent, but there are other people out there who might be more football friendly than what we have now, and there are two openings this year. For the most part, it would seem unlikely that "the people" could get a football friendly regent elected in this cycle due to time constraints, but more spaces will be opening up over the next several years, and if the voters are educated over the next few years, Brian, as to who is program friendly, and who is not, we may be able to vote out the hostile regents, and elect some people who would not only be good for the acedemic aspects of the University, but good for the sporting aspects as well.