Even Republicans Want a Neutral Judiciary

Given the level of attacks on the Missouri judiciary by Gov. Matt Blunt (R), it is hard to believe that even sane Republicans want a neutral, fair judicial system. It's true, not all Republicans are nuts.

Dan Margolies from the KC Star wrote an article about how 3 former chief judges from the Missouri Supreme Court - all appointed by then Gov. John Ashcroft - have come out to defend the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan. Judge John Holstein - who ran for trial judge in S.W. Missouri as a Republican - is one of those guys and he now works at one of our biggest firms in the state. He was a smart, intelligent and fair judge, literally a poster child for why we want the Missouri Plan. Ashcroft picked a Judge Holstein to sit on the Supreme Court, not a partisan hack with the most money. Ashcroft never complained about the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan.

Another one of the former chief judges is Judge Ann Covington. Again, not a party hack. She was intelligent and worked hard. She, too, has gone on to one of our biggest firms in the state. Now, would plenty of Democrats disagree with Holstein and Covington's votes - you bet. Does that make Holstein and Covington activist judges - nope. It means that our judicial branch is designed to protect individual rights, not to enforce majority rule. It means that we have come up with the best plan in America to select judges, which is why 38 states have adopted parts of our plan. Even Blunt's hometown newspaper, the Springfield Newsleader, says our system is fair. Blunt is in deep political doo-doo, he needs an issue to save him and get his base out to the polls in November of 2008.

We should all join http://www.protectjustice.org/ in the battle to defend our courts. Go sign up as a supporter. Knowledge is key on this issue and getting our friends, neighbors and family in the loop is the only way to combat this issue. Mark my words, Jeff Roe and his Karl Rove game playing will have this on the ballot in November of 2008 to get his base happy. If you listen to Rush, you hate judges. They have the AM airways, we have the blogs. Let's win this fight!