Sound Politics Public Blog: Election Picks

September 07, 2006

Election Picks

For interesting reading, see Bob William's new web page:

http://www.bobwilliamshome.net/default.aspx

At this site, Mr. Williams shares his election picks among the nominees for justices of the Supreme Court and judges for the Court of Appeals. Mr. Williams also provides articles and links that may help you make your own selections, as well as a speech he made at the Libertarian convention.

As most of you know, Mr. Williams is the president of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation and a former Washington state representative.

Posted by rachelburke at September 07, 2006 06:22 PM | Email This

Comments

1. Rachel,

thank you for contributing to the Sound Politics Public Blog - it's good to know about Bob's Web site and insights on judicial races, among other things. He's an important voice in Washington public policy, as is EFF. However, at the Public Blog we really want live links, not just typed-in Web addresses (see below for how to fix this).

The page you cite is packed with good info, many useful links within, and Bob's bio, all of which make it well worth a visit. But for future reference, please see "Posting Guidelines and FAQ" in the "Log-In" section of our Public Blog main page, to learn how to build in live links to your posts.

Also, if you are affiliated with an organization mentioned in your post, please disclose. I don't know that you are, but just wanted to be clear on that.

I hope these suggestions are helpful.

Thanks again for your interest in our Public Blog, and within the parameters described here and in our FAQs, again - please do keep it coming.

Matt Rosenberg
Sound Politics

Posted by: Matt Rosenberg on September 7, 2006 08:49 PM

2. Thanks for the info. Why is it the final vote for judges is made in the primary election with lower voter participation, and no mailed voter guides? The primary for judicial candidates should only be for contested races with 3 or more candidates and come up with a top 2. Then the final could be decided in the general election when more voters participate.

Here is more judicial info.
The Liability Reform Coalition gave Chambers a 9% Lifetime Judicial Liability Score - the lowest score of all 9 Washington State Supreme Court justices. www.walrc.org/pdf/JudicialScorecard2006.pdf

The challenger is Jeanette Burrage. She has more experience as a trial court judge than Chambers, has presided over hundreds of trials and decided thousands of motions. As she says, she's been a legislator, and a judge...and she knows the difference!

Posted by: Margaret on September 7, 2006 08:50 PM

3. Burrage was also reversed at a very high rate, removed from cases by attorneys more than any other judge, and rated the worst Superior Court judge in King County - and it wasn't even close. And of course there is the notorious pantsuit incident. Even the Constitutional Law PAC that is pushing Steve Johnson rated her Not Qualified.

Posted by: wayne on September 7, 2006 10:45 PM

4. And who was doing the reversing? Trial lawyers didn't want her to sit in judgement? Liberal appellate courts overturning her decisions?

That doesn't sound like a deal killer to me. Maybe just the opposite?

Posted by: swatter on September 8, 2006 03:07 PM

5. The appellate courts were overturning her decisions because she didn't know what the law was, or didn't apply it properly. She had no or almost no trial experience when she was elected to the superior court. That's the last thing you want when you get a trial judge. And it speaks very poorly for someone who runs for the position without any idea how to do it properly.

Posted by: wayne on September 8, 2006 05:58 PM