I'm Endorsing Mike Behm For Regent
So I'm about to break the no politics rule. I regret this, but…
1. If I'm going to run for regent that has to happen anyway.
2. I am only going to do this for Michigan regent.
3. I don't think regent is a particularly partisan position—see the lack of transparency as to how they operate and the lack of "no" votes.
4. I am not a registered anything. I don't like politics for the same reason I don't like coachspeak. I would strongly prefer regent elections to be nonpartisan, but they're not. This is life.
![3cb5b7_8c03f722ad39472180da8cc8505050fa.png_srz_p_359_100_75_22_0.50_1.20_0[1]](http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/Behm-endorsement_12EAC/3cb5b7_8c03f722ad39472180da8cc8505050fa.png_srz_p_359_100_75_22_0.50_1.20_01.png "3cb5b7_8c03f722ad39472180da8cc8505050fa.png_srz_p_359_100_75_22_0.50_1.20_0[1]")
All right, that said: when the regents' candidate forum was canceled on October 8th (it is now Friday at 4 PM, be there or be square) for scheduling issues, one guy still came into town because he was planning to do so anyway. He did a number of previously-scheduled in-person interviews, then emailed me. We got a couple beers at Ashley's, and we talked about the state of the regents, what was wrong about the current setup, and how to fix it. That guy is Mike Behm, and I'm endorsing him for regent.
This is not because he uses MGoBehm.com for his web presence. Mostly not.
Behm is a lawyer who graduated from Michigan in '89 with a BA in English with deep Michigan roots—his dad played football and ran track in the 50s. He went to the Rose Bowl in '89 as a student, and he reads the blog. I asked him to boil down his philosophy and goals into a few hundred words, and he's done so.
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Q: What is the most important issue facing the University right now?
A: Affordability and accessibility. Over the past four decades, the State of Michigan has drastically reduced its financial support of the University. Thirty-five years ago, the State of Michigan covered 70% of U of M's costs, with the other 30% being paid for by tuition and endowment. Today, only 30% of the costs are covered by the State. I would like to see the State of Michigan invest in one of its most valuable assets, and increase its funding for U of M. But because of today's economic environment, I don't believe there is going to be a drastic increase of state funding. This being the case, I believe it is very important to examine the present cost structure of the University and cut and reduce unnecessary costs at all levels, including administration and operations.
Next, I would like to investigate ways to lower interest rates on student loans. Presently, banks borrow money at a rate that is nine times less than the average student loan. New legislation that has been introduced recently (Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act) that would help to lower student loan rates. If the government is not successful in reducing student loan interest rates, I would act to direct U of M's newest endowment program (Victors for Michigan) to provide low interest loans to our students.
Q: What are your thoughts regarding U of M's compliance with the open meetings act?
A: While I understand the need to protect individual's rights of privacy when it comes to limited circumstances such as some personnel issues. I am a firm believer that the Board of Regents would benefit from seriously listening to the concerns of the public. In addition to having Regents meetings where decisions are made with public comment and public interaction, I would use other ways for the Regents to gather information. For example, while the composition of the Board of Regents cannot be changed without involving the State of Michigan Constitution, I would propose forming advisory committees. I am in favor of forming small separate committees of students, faculty members, and supporters of the Athletic Department so that they can meet with and advise the Board of Regents when it comes to making important decisions.
In addition to being an attorney, I serve as Chairperson of Business Forward Michigan, an organization that helps local business leaders from Michigan advise Washington on how to create jobs and accelerate our economic recovery. The present Board of Regents seems to conduct business like politicians in Washington, in an isolated and deaf manner. Like what I do with Business Forward, I will work to help the Regents make decisions with the help of many informed and concerned voices.
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While the above issues are obviously more important than the athletic department, we talked about that, too, and he'd support a change at the top there.
The above language is a little stiff, I know, but in talking to him it was clear he deeply cared about the university and was basically just a guy who wanted to help out. He's not much interested in serious political office; the opportunity to help the U out was a different matter. I think you should vote for him, no matter your political affiliation.
-Brian
October 21st, 2014 at 7:37 PM ^
Not in my extensive experience. It's just that the ones that are democrats tend to be more out in the open about it.
October 21st, 2014 at 10:19 PM ^
NTTAWWT
October 21st, 2014 at 7:12 PM ^
For those of us who don't live in Michigan, how exactly does Regent voting work?
Is voting by local District, or does the entire state vote for the UM Regents? Why would most of the state care about a University of Michigan Regent?
Do you also vote for Regents at other public schools, say MSU? What's to keep people who don't like a particular University from trying to fix the votes and vote for somebody not necessarily in that school's interest?
Seems like an unusual arrangement. I'm curious how it works.
October 21st, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^
1. Entire state votes for all of the open seats (there are two this year, I believe) which are 8-year terms.
2. It's a state-funded school, so everyone who pays taxes in Michigan funds U-M. Whether they "care" is another matter.
3. Yes, we also vote for MSU Board of Trustees and Wayne State's Board of Governors".
4. Most people who don't vote straight-party ticket never make it as far as the Board of Regents/Trustees/Governors candidates. People who would normally care enough to cause trouble for another school are few.
October 21st, 2014 at 7:46 PM ^
Ewwwww, political endorsements on a sports website? No matter the justification or disclaimers, I'm probably gonna have to tune out from this website until at least after the election.
October 21st, 2014 at 8:58 PM ^
to tune out, but at least we got some information on someone running for an office that will be on that ballot form... and which most voters decide based on either name recognition or party affiliation, maybe in that order... yeah it's a sports blog but there is a nexus here to sports issues.
October 21st, 2014 at 8:18 PM ^
is exactly why politics aren't a good idea here.
It's Brian's blog, but I think he will look back on this with regret. If Mr. Behm wins, Brian will be forced to endure future candidate's entreaties for support. If Mr. Behm wins, he is also now "Brian's guy" and the decisions he makes will reflect on Brian. It's a no-win situation.
This is a sports blog, not a forum for politics. I put this comment at the end of the post as I'm pretty sure no one will make it this far save the mods and Brian. Just take the mulligan on this one and close the thread. While I'd prefer this thread deleted (no offense to Mr. Behm), the alternative is to link it as the first and last time politics are ever discussed with impugnity on MGoBlog.
October 21st, 2014 at 9:58 PM ^
October 22nd, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^
The past few months have made it clear that the Regents are an entity that directly affects Michigan sports, and thus, topical.
I've been reading this blog since damn near the day it was born, and based on that, I think Brian will feel comfortable supporting or not supporting Behm based on his actions, not based on whether he supported him at one point in the past. Brian was ecstatic (as were many of us) when RichRod was hired, and was realistic about how that didn't work out.
October 21st, 2014 at 8:50 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 9:54 PM ^
Lol, exactly. Let's get to what matters most :)
October 21st, 2014 at 9:26 PM ^
I'll vote for both this guy and Brian, when he runs.
And I'll do it just to piss the naysayers off.
October 21st, 2014 at 10:09 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 23rd, 2014 at 2:45 PM ^
.......It's what's for dinner.
October 21st, 2014 at 9:44 PM ^
This will be a downvote party, but both of his positions are really vanilla and boiler plate. We need to make school affordable? Find me a politican who disagrees with that. Everything should be more open? You don't say.
He doesn't seem to have any actionable items towards affecting change short of some sort of hope that student loan rates will be lowered. The whole nine-times-lower rate thing is pure political speech; he's referring to the fed reserve rate which are for one-day loans between highly capitalized institutions, not unsecured loans to eighteen year olds. He seems to be missing the key point in making school accessible -- not be making it cheaper to finance debt (which always must cover the principal, even if the interest rate is zero) but in actually making the cost itself lower.
I get it all sounds good, but policy is much more involved than this.
October 21st, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^
Where politics and sports intersect, and because one has a profound influence upon the other, it is perfectly appropriate for Brian to post this thread, and to let the readers know how they can effect what is going on at the University of Michigan. Politics, like sports, are a competetive, win at all cost affair, and this tends to bring out both the best, and the worst in people, but even worse than the outward showing of our human frailties, would be simply to ignore what we can do, pretend that politics do not exist, and let others dictate what goes on, and hope for the best, hope in one hand, shit in the other, and see which one gets filled up first.
Because the majority of his audience is comprised of people who either live in the State of Michigan, or are alumni who care about both the University and the athletic program, and thus have either an ability to effect positive change, or an interest in what happens, it only goes to follow that this should not only be posted, but be required reading for anyone planning to vote in a couple of weeks. I read alot of words on here about "real" vs. "bandwagon" fans, and I submit that any "real" fan would take the time to educate themselves on who is running for Regent, and what they are running on, as well as their background, and make the best choices for their school, their athletic program, and their sanity.
Brian, I commend you for taking this step and posting this. I only hope that you will take the next step, and find a way to get your message out to a broader audience, and who knows, maybe you can effect change for the better at the school that we all love.
October 22nd, 2014 at 12:55 AM ^
I know MIke a bit, and think he'll do an excellent job. The very fact that he met with Brian suggests that he is reaching out to members of the Michigan family (both alumni and fans) who are actively engaged with both the athletic programs and academic programs. I'm glad that this blog steers clear of politics but as was said in the post very few issues before the regents are partisan.
October 22nd, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^
FYI of the current 8 Regents, 6 are lawyers. Yes, Mike Behm is a plaintiff's lawyer originally from Flint now living in GB. He's a very good guy, has a good head on his shoulders and comes from a family of athletes most of whom attended UM. UM could do far, far worse than having Mike as a Regent. In my view, he'd bring a common sense approach to the Board. He is not a silver spooner and does not live off of his daddy's name, much like a few of the Board's current members,
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:15 AM ^
Brian holds what are understood to be "leftist" viewpoints. Who the fuk cares? His football game analysis kicks ass and that's why we're here. Anyone who's followed this blog has read about his support for unionizing CFB players and I'm 100% against it. That won't stop me from respecting the hell out of his knowledge of UM's revenue sports and the damn skilled way he writes about them.
Whether or not Brian supports a one-legged buck-toothed elf as regent doesn't change the above. Greymarch reflects poorly on those of us on the right nor does he speak for us. Jumping to post such gibberish smacks of insecurity and desperation. Anyone who votes for Behm SOLELY because Brian recommended him is a fool regardless of party affiliation.
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