Edwin Chemerinsky

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

Somebody at Countdown goofed.

[Spazito]

1. How so? n/t

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. Isn't His Name Erwin?

Although I just googled both, and they both came up with info. Does he use both Erwin and Edwin?

[Spazito]

6. Ahhh, I have to admit I often only take note of last names not their

first names so I don't have any idea re his first name.

Edited to add: Editor & Publisher has him as Erwin:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002839788

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. How so?

Chemerinsky is a Constitutional scholar with a national reputation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Chemerinsky Granted, he's not an especially glamorous-looking guy (rather nerdy, in fact), but I'd sure want somebody like him as the mastermind for a cutting-edge, conttroversial lawsuit like that. I doubt he's trial counsel -- more likely he's the strategist.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

4. Keith Called Him Erwin, But They Showed His Name As Edwin

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. I missed that.

Don't think most people noticed -- I was paying more attention to his brilliant nerdiness (or nerdy brilliance, if you like).

[H2O Man]

8. Right.

DUers who are not familiar with Mr. Chemerinsky, or who do not remember his position on Alito, should "google" his name and take a half an hour to read more about him. The guy is outstanding. He is probably one of the people we want on the US Supreme Court. But we'll deal with that issue in '08.

I'm glad that you hit on the "brilliant nerdiness (or nerdy brilliance...)," because it is actually may be an important factor. First, the toughest part of this case is making sure it is taken by a federal court. I think that Mr. Chemerinsky's knowledge of federal law, specifically the Constitutional and ethical issues involved, makes it very likely the case is taken. And once it is, it is a "slam dunk," to borrow a phrase from the administration.

A huge part of a civil case involves if the jury likes you. I am friends with a couple trial lawyers who are known and respected across the country, and they have told me that this is one of the keys in civil cases. And almost everyone will find they like and trust Mr. Chemerinsky. We have all known someone like him in school. While he might have been the last kid picked for a team in gym class, he would stand out as the chipper, good natured kid who was clearly smarter than most of the teachers by 6th grade.

No one on the jury will look at him and think, "This guy has a chip on his shoulder." No one will suspect any agenda, other than his assisting the legal team in seeking justice. The jury will begin to see him as that somewhat nerdy kid that they liked so much in their classes in school .... and that transfers to the courtroom setting.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

7. After the Chemerinsky interview, in the bit Kieth did about Ann Coulter

he called her "CoulterGeist". I thought that was pretty funny and it's the first time I heard that.