Democrats urge Ohio Supreme Court justice to leave GOP (and join the Democratic Party)

[truthpusher]

http://www.daytonsnewssource.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.oh/2bbdc331-www.daytonsnewssource.com.shtml

Democrats urge Ohio Supreme Court justice to leave GOP
November 11, 2006 20:16 EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- With Election Day results putting Republicans in position to control every seat on the Ohio Supreme Court, a moderate justice said he's considering a request to leave the GOP and join the Democratic Party.

Justice Paul Pfeifer says he's considering a letter from the Ohio Democrats asking him to switch parties.

Democrats won four of the five top statewide offices on Tuesday, but Republican candidates captured both open seats on the state's high court.

Pfeifer has been called a liberal Republican who has dissented with his party on issues such as charter schools and the state's open records law.

(snip)

link: http://www.daytonsnewssource.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.oh/2bbdc331-www.daytonsnewssource.com.shtml

[Teaser]

1. I hate electing judges

it's made a mess in PA, that's for sure.

[aquart]

2. But what would that change?

[Glorfindel]

3. Not much, maybe, but the example of one good man standing up

for the principles he espouses might lead others to do the same.

[w4rma]

4. What difference does this make? He is a judge. (nt)

[OzarkDem]

10. This is Ohio

The GOP has stacked the Supreme Court here with unqualified, corrupt partisans. Its so partisan, they even hold parties and special GOP award ceremonies in the Courtroom.

Pfieffer's probably the only one left who votes with his conscience, not according to the GOP party line.

[Vidar]

5. Sounds like a good man.

[JI7]

6. would it make a difference in what he can do ?

he is already judge.

i'm not sure about rules concerning the state judges there and their involvement in politics. but since they are known by their party affiliation maybe they want him to switch so he could participate in political events.

[BeachBuckeye]

8. He was my neighbor, friend and classmate

If he switches it will be because he is sincere in his beliefs. His re-election will play no part in it. Thru the years of his Ohio Supreme Court tenure, I have often reminded him that he "is really a Democrat in Republican clothes". I think he has finally seen the light.

[cmd]

7. Why? To save his seat in the next election?

I'm sure the R's will be ready to replace him on the ballot with someone more conservative. The Dems could hold him by helping to finance his reelection. His name would carry him the rest of the way.

[LizW]

9. That's it.

I don't know about other states, but a ton of money is spent on supreme court elections in my state. If the Republicans cut him off and run someone against him in the primary he could lose. The Dems can help him keep the seat.

I hate that judicial elections are partisan, but it's the way it is.