Jeb Bush allies seek to stop judicial elections and hand power to Governor

[seafan]

Jeb Bush has 5 more months to steal as much power for himself and his floundering right wing ideology and presidential ambition as he can.




Oh, and by the way, as of 2001, the GOP-controlled Florida legislature changed existing established law to allow Jeb Bush authority to name/approve all members of all 26 statewide Judicial Nominating Commissions. This includes judges for the Supreme Court, district courts of appeal and all judicial circuits.

And, it gets even worse: in today's news, one of Jeb's Broward County Judicial Nominating Commission members, Reverend O'Neal Dozier, is in hot water over his claims that "Islam is a cult." This guy is choosing our judges in Broward County, the largest Democratic stronghold in Florida, AND he is trying to drive a divisive wedge into the African American voters by instigating hatred of Muslims, a group that historically has harmonious relationships due to shared social and economic concerns.

Reverend O'Neal Dozier is a hard-working GOP operative.

Jeb Bush's legacy is cancerous.


On to the story:


Suit: Scuttle vote for judges


A new lawsuit seeks to stop the election of 55 new Florida judges, who would instead be appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush.

By AMY SHERMAN AND GARY FINEOUT
July 08, 2006

A panel responsible for nominating judges in Miami-Dade County has asked the Florida Supreme Court to stop the election of 55 new judges and allow Gov. Jeb Bush to appoint them instead.
If successful, the suit filed Thursday against Secretary of State Sue Cobb could lead to the appointment of more conservative judges in predominantly Democratic Broward County.
And it throws the campaigns of hundreds of potential candidates into limbo, just two weeks before they must commit to running for office. The qualifying period is July 17 through July 21.
The Legislature created the new judgeships this spring, as elected positions.

But a lawsuit filed by the Judicial Nominating Commission in Miami-Dade contends that the law violates the Florida Constitution.

snip

Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell denied that Bush initiated the suit, but said, ``We are pleased they took action.''
At least a couple of lawyers involved in the suit have ties to Bush.
One JNC member, Rick Perez, was formerly general counsel for Secretary of State Glenda Hood and the lead lawyer defending the state in a flurry of election-related lawsuits in 2004.
Marcos Jiménez is a former U.S. Attorney and a member of the JNC for the Third District Court of Appeals. He is the brother of Frank Jiménez, a former top Bush aide.

''I think it's outrageous,'' said Alan Schreiber, Broward's former Public Defender. ``It's just a power grab.''
If Bush appoints, he'll mostly choose Republicans, Schreiber said. But the outcome would be different if voters in Broward -- one of the most liberal counties in the country -- choose the judges, he said.

snip

The lawsuit leaves candidates in limbo. Some already have committed thousands of dollars on brochures, buttons and advertising, which they likely can't recoup if the Supreme Court halts the election. The primary is Sept. 5.
''I have already spent close to $10,000,'' said Broward General Magistrate Marina Garcia Wood, a candidate for one of the six new seats in Broward. ``The timing is not very good for us.''

snip

Now that a lawsuit has been filed, Campbell did not rule out the possibility that Bush would join the suit, or file a supporting brief.

snip

[Cha]

1. This is an amazing amount

of work you've done to show more of fatboy's devious plans. Thanks!

Poor Florida..will it ever get out from under bush's fatass?

[seafan]

2. Thank you, zidzi. Outrage doesn't come close to describing this any more.

We will succeed in giving Florida back to the people.

In the meanwhile, Jeb and his thieves are smashing the jewelry cases on the way out of the store, with the alarm shrieking.

[Cha]

3. And the sheeps are like

"YAWN", "Where's my tax cut?"!

But, with people like you and other DUers, and DUer types:) we will persevere! AMEN.

[flordehinojos]

4. jeb sports the classical bush look, "HOW DARE YOU QUESTION ME?!"

THERE HAS GOT TO BE A WAY WE THE PEOPLE CAN GET THESE BUSHES POPPY, JUNIOR AND JEB TO RELEASE US, OUR GOVERNMENT, AND OUR DEMOCRACY FROM THEIR HOLD, AND ANY OTHER BUSH FROM EVER POWER GRABBING EVER AGAIN.