Governor Mitch Daniels has
made his first pick to the Indiana Supreme Court and it is Boone Co. Circuit Court Judge Steven David. Daniels picked David over Marion Co. Superior Court Judge Robyn Moberly and Bingham-McHale appellate lawyer Karl Mulvaney. Many had expected Daniels to pick Moberly because she was the only female finalist for the job and the court currently has no women members. The Indiana Law Blog has more on the announcement
here. If Daniels' decision shows anything, it's that he won't give up his independent thinking simply because he's pondering a bid for president. The politically correct decision would have been to name Moberly to the court. Daniels personally interviewed each of the three finalists, each well-qualified for the job, and decided on David knowing he will face an avalanche of criticism for not naming a woman to the court. From Daniels
press release making the announcement:
“In a group of admirable finalists, Judge Steven David stood out first for the breadth and diversity of his experience. In addition to a distinguished 15-year tenure on the bench, he spent years in business, on the receiving end of law and regulation. He compiled a highly decorated military career, during which he was tested in one of the most sensitive and challenging assignments imaginable,” said Daniels.
“Lastly, I heard from Steve David the clearest expression of commitment to proper restraint in jurisprudence, and to deep respect for the boundaries of judicial decision-making. He will be a judge who interprets rather than invents our laws,” said the governor.
"I look forward to working with the absolute best supreme court in the United States, the absolute best court of appeals, and all the trial judges and every lawyer. Most importantly, I look forward to serving the citizens of the state of Indiana. This was an opportunity to work in a different capacity. I believe my life is about public service. I have the upmost respect for the Constitution of our country and of this state," said David.
Good choice, but this guy looks like Blackstone compared to Moberley.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mitch, for not picking that horrible judge.
I predict that Daniels is going to get that much criticism for his not naming a woman.
ReplyDeleteOops, corr: is "not" going. Very sorry for the mistake.
ReplyDelete“Lastly, I heard from Steve David the clearest expression of commitment to proper restraint in jurisprudence, and to deep respect for the boundaries of judicial decision-making. He will be a judge who interprets rather than invents our laws,” said the governor. ===================
ReplyDelete..OH, THE GOV. MISSED HIS CALLING AS A STAND UP COMIC... Was he serious? Was he talking about the same Judge David who was overturned for "Abusing his Discretion" by disregarding the basic need for evidence to award damages? ..EVIDENCE, kinda basic stuff for a judge to forget~
The Governor also touted the Judge's "Diversity of Experience". Interesting that the Gov. might value diversity in a Judge who's own words in Res Gestae May 2010 stated: "Do you really expect me to give much credibility to someone with a pierced eyebrow that cant look me in the eye?... if your star witness looks he has just gotten out of bed and has slept in the clothes he's been wearing for the past five days, he had better have compelling testimony!" ..Not much respect for diversity in that statement now is there..
.... so in the Judge's mind is he thinking nobody else needs compelling testimony/evidence... just the unfortunate folks he might look down upon... WHO else will he require "Compelling Testimony" of... hmmmm. .. and who will he not?
Well Governor, the rest of us (voters)thought EVERYONE should have compelling testimony if they are to prevail in a Court of LAW!
Well, maybe the good news is that the Esteemed Judge will now be tucked away out of public view where he will not be able to see how people are dressed or if the down-trodden have the self confidence to look him in the eye.