Gov. Blunt and Republican legislators are gearing up for what may be a complete overhaul of our “nonpartisan” Democrat controlled Judge nominating program.

From the STL Dispatch:

JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Matt Blunt is preparing to put his stamp on the Missouri Supreme Court this summer, but he’s concerned that the commission in charge of selecting finalists won’t deliver the type of candidate he wants.

It will be the first time in 15 years that a Republican governor has placed someone on the high court, which has been dominated by Democratic appointees the past five years.

Blunt has said he wants to appoint a judge who will refrain from being an “activist” and will strictly interpret the laws. What makes the process more intriguing is that Blunt’s choice will depend on a Democratic-leaning nominating commission.

Under the nonpartisan court plan, he will have to select a judge from among three finalists picked by the Appellate Judicial Commission. Blunt has little influence over the commission because he has appointed only one of its seven members.

The other members are the chief justice of the Supreme Court, three lawyers elected by the Missouri Bar and two lay members appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat. The lay members and lawyers serve staggered six-year terms.
 

Read more here.

If the situation where the other way around, with a Democrat Governor who’s only choices would come from a board with Republican domination Democrats would be singing to high heavens. The left would be asking for “Democracy now!”

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