Houston PBS has put a recording of its recent Supreme Court candidate forum, in which all six candidates (3 Republican incumbents and three Democratic challengers) participated, on its
Great Debate Series 2008 webpage. (click link)
It offers a vivid argument why election of judges (minus votebuying with campaign contributions) may not be such a bad idea after all, though opposed by several participants. As lamented by one of the incumbents, if we did not have to run for election, we would not (have to) be here today. Nor would there be any opponents to debate were the Chief to have his way with Missouri Plan and retention elections. Alas, on the bench, having voters decide on judicial personnel is seen as an "encroachment" on "judicial independence," rather than a mechanism that may provide some accountability within a system of checks and balances, may potentially curb excesses, and allow for the removal of underperformers. Could initial partisan appointment by the Governor to a vacancy have anything to do with disapproval of the involvement of the voters and with calls for a constitutional amendment to end the judicial elections system as we know it in Texas?
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Red, White and Blue: The Great Debate Series 2008
Houston PBS and the Houston Area League of Women Voters team up to bring you an unprecedented round of political debates to help create a more informed and educated electorate.
Texas Supreme Court Candidate Forum
(Chief Justice Jefferson & Judge Jim Jordan; Justice Dale Wainwright & Mr. Sam Houston; Justice Phil Johnson & Justice Linda Yanez)
Moderated by Ernie Manouse
Aired October 12, 2008 at 6 pm
See video part 1 part 2 part 3
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1 comment:
Thank you for your informative blog about the Candidate Forum and the link to more information. Wanted to bring to your attention Veeple technology which places interactive links, in the form of uploaded graphics and icons, to flash video. Whoever has control of the videos that were uploaded to the website that your blog pointed to could impact viewers with a lot more information about the candidates and voting information by using Veeple to create information and links to resources such as the Registrar of Voters, the League of Women Voters and more. Please check it out when you get a chance, Veeple.com
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