Picking how to pick judges
Brett Lieberman on the state party chairs now calling for "merit selection" of judges. Several points of irony:
- "Just a few years ago, Rooney, a former state representative from Bethlehem who chairs the state Democratic Party, was all for judicial elections. Ditto for Gleason, a Johnstown insurance businessman." In other words, when voters completely ignore elections (and the party chiefs had their way) judges elections were fine. Now that voters are more active and have more information, judicial elections are bad.
- The argument that judicial appointments are anti-reform - and give too much power to the Governor and partisan lawmakers - was used to defend judges in retention elections
- Both party chair complain about the partisanship of the election - even though it is their fault. Lieberman mentions a Democratic ad implying that Pennsylvania will a Florida-like election case (hanging chads and all) if Republicans are elected to the courts. He could also mention a Republican campaign implying Supreme Court candidate Debra Todd loves drug dealers.
2 comments:
When citizens began to realize that judges from the county to the supreme court were willing to insert their own views and prejudices into the interpretation of the constitution it is only logical that it devolves into a competition. Sandra O'Connor and others have only themselves to blame for furthering this mess. She was a prime example of inserting her own bias into what should be the strict constitutional interpretation the people should expect from a judge. Now that she is not a 'player' she has a lot of nerve to complain.
Bill C.
Former Justice O'Connor has valid criticisms of the process of "electing judges" in money-influenced elections, but her suggested solution does not solve the problem.
Who are the people who comprise this so-called "independent commission of knowledgeable citizens"? I'll tell you who they are -- they are money-crazed lawyers from private law firms who are hoping to continue to expand the legal "economy" beyond their own wildest dreams -- and everyone else's worst nightmares.
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