Judge: Wisconsin Judges Can Join Political Parties

[Dinger]

I don't know if this is good or bad. What do you think? I think I like it.
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2009/02/19/wi/3wi19.txt

Judge: Wisconsin judges can join political parties
By RYAN J. FOLEY | The Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin judges can join political parties, endorse partisan candidates for office and solicit campaign donations after a federal judge struck down rules prohibiting those activities.

In a decision released Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb found the rules do little to advance an independent judiciary and violate judges’ First Amendment rights to free speech.
Wisconsin Judicial Commission executive director Jim Alexander said he was disappointed and consulting with Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on whether to appeal. The rules can’t be enforced in the meantime.

Observers said the decision will open the door for parties to get more involved in judicial elections and make it easier for judges to raise campaign cash. They predicted that most judges, however, would not join parties.

[dembotoz]

1. would mean judges would have to come out of the closet as it were

here is republican heaven any judge listing themselves as a democrat would have an uphil fight to be sure. I imagine it would be the same for a repub running in dane.

not sure i like the idea

no i don't like this idea.

Party membership will foster open litmus testing of judicial applicants and in this town that would mean an even more conservative judge.


remind me not to get arrested.....




actually you should not have to remind me not to get arrested
duh

[HelenWheels]

2. Judge Huber

came to the meeting of the Marathon County Dems last night. He hasn't come to one since he has been on the bench. He says judges will not join political parties. The only way they would is if they were in a very safe area.