[EL] Recusal Controversies
Steve Klein
stephen.klein.esq at gmail.com
Tue Aug 23 09:00:27 PDT 2011
Should Justice Prosser Have Recused Himself in Voting on the Wisconsin
Collective Bargaining Case? <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22146>
Posted on August 22, 2011 10:22 am
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22146> by Rick
Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
That’s one of the arguments made in this *NY Times*
editorial.<http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/20/opinion/a-study-in-judicial-dysfuntion.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss>I
disagree with the
*Times* board on this issue. If we are to have judicial elections at all,
they are so that there is some measure of accountability of judges. I think
everyone knew that a vote for Prosser was likely a vote to uphold the law
limiting public unions and a vote for Kloppenberg was a vote to strike it
down.
What’s the unethical conflict of interest here?
--------------
Open question to anyone who knows or has an opinion: has recusal always been
so heated and, I daresay, so ridiculous?
Just at the Supreme Court this year, we've had a call for retroactive
recusal for Thomas and Scalia in *Citizens United* (they spoke at Koch
events and Koch is the* Corporation*), a prospective call for Kagan to
recuse in *Florida v. HHS*, *Thomas More*, et al. (when she was SG she sent
Neal Katyal an e-mail assigning him to the case and so she "worked" on the
case), and a prospective call for Thomas to do the same (his wife opposes
the ACA and makes a very good living that way).
And now, well, today's NYT might take the cake.
The precedent seems pretty thin at the Supreme Court level. My search turned
up Scalia's denial of a request to recuse in *Cheney v. U.S. Ct. for the
District of Columbia* (541 U.S. 913) (well delivered, methinks), Rehnquist's
more controversial denial in *Laird v. Tatum* (409 U.S. 824) (the only
actual fact pattern that's given me pause), and... then it seems to go way
back from there.
Just a fad? An international communist conspiracy to sap and impurify the
public's faith in the judiciary? Somewhere in between?
On Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 9:17 AM, Rick Hasen <rhasen at law.uci.edu> wrote:
> “AFL-CIO Boosts Clout with Super PAC”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22179>
> Posted on August 23, 2011 8:14 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22179> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> AP reports<http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_LABOR_SUPER_PAC?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-22-14-49-23>
> .
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22179&title=%E2%80%9CAFL-CIO%20Boosts%20Clout%20with%20Super%20PAC%E2%80%9D&description=>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments
> Off
> Ohio SOS Prohibits County Elections Boards from Sending Out Absentee
> Voter Applications <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22176>
> Posted on August 23, 2011 8:10 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22176> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> The directive is here <http://t.co/V5sCE8n> and Cuyahoga County’s possible
> response is described here<http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/08/cuyahoga_county_board_of_elect_6.html>.
> Interestingly, the directive from SOS Husted, a Republican, cites equal
> protection issues with some counties sending such applications but not
> others. A stretch from *Bush v. Gore*? An application of the Sixth
> Circuit’s recent *Hunter* opinion? The directive cites an Ohio Supreme
> Court case on such equal protection principles.
>
> (H/t HHHElections.<https://twitter.com/#%21/HHHElections/status/105983560678252544>
> )
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22176&title=Ohio%20SOS%20Prohibits%20County%20Elections%20Boards%20from%20Sending%20Out%20Absentee%20Voter%20Applications&description=>
> Posted in absentee ballots <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=53>, election
> administration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18> | Comments Off
> “Colorado redistricting plan raises eyebrows”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22173>
> Posted on August 23, 2011 8:01 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22173> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> Stateline.org reports<http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=595885>
> .
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22173&title=%E2%80%9CColorado%20redistricting%20plan%20raises%20eyebrows%E2%80%9D&description=>
> Posted in redistricting <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments
> Off
> “Arizona redistricting unlikely to add 3rd congressional area along
> border” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22171>
> Posted on August 23, 2011 8:00 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22171> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> The *Arizona Daily Star* reports<http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_f472ab0f-ce0f-5356-8cf3-909cfe3d6989.html>
> .
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22171&title=%E2%80%9CArizona%20redistricting%20unlikely%20to%20add%203rd%20congressional%20area%20along%20border%E2%80%9D&description=>
> Posted in citizen commissions <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=7>,
> redistricting <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments Off
> “Citizen Group Tasked With Redistricting Dramatically Changes California
> Map” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22168>
> Posted on August 23, 2011 7:57 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22168> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> Fox News reports<http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/23/citizen-group-tasked-with-redistricting-dramatically-changes-california-map/>
> .
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22168&title=%E2%80%9CCitizen%20Group%20Tasked%20With%20Redistricting%20Dramatically%20Changes%20California%20Map%E2%80%9D&description=>
> Posted in citizen commissions <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=7>,
> redistricting <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments Off
> “Pennsylvania Secretary of Commonwealth: Photo ID Protects Integrity of
> Every Vote” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22165>
> Posted on August 23, 2011 7:55 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22165> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> See this press release<http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-secretary-of-commonwealth-photo-id-protects-integrity-of-every-vote-128242583.html>
> .
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22165&title=%E2%80%9CPennsylvania%20Secretary%20of%20Commonwealth%3A%20Photo%20ID%20Protects%20Integrity%20of%20Every%20Vote%E2%80%9D&description=>
> Posted in election administration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>,
> voter id <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=9> | Comments Off
> Ninth Circuit, Citing Wikipedia, Proclaims Elvis “the King” and Explains
> the Meaning of “Elvis Has Left the Building”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22162>
> Posted on August 22, 2011 4:38 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22162> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> More substantively, in Flexible Lifeline Systems v. Precision Lif<http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2011/08/22/10-35987.pdf>t,
> the Ninth Circuit reverses a longstanding circuit rule presuming irreparable
> harm in copyright infringement cases in which plaintiff seeking a
> preliminary injunction has proven likelihood of success on the merits.
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22162&title=Ninth%20Circuit%2C%20Citing%20Wikipedia%2C%20Proclaims%20Elvis%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20King%E2%80%9D%20and%20Explains%20the%20Meaning%20of%20%E2%80%9CElvis%20Has%20Left%20the%20Building%E2%80%9D&description=>
> Posted in Remedies <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=57> | Comments Off
> Bizarre Twist in Carl Lewis Candidacy<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22159>
> Posted on August 22, 2011 2:51 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22159> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> Opponent State assemblyman resigns and drops out<http://www.politickernj.com/50410/ld8-delany-derailed-wifes-email-lewis>after wife sends Lewis a racist email (via Political
> Wire<http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/08/22/lawmaker_quits_after_wife_sent_racist_email.html>).
> [corrected to reflect that assemblyman was not Lewis's opponent]
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22159&title=Bizarre%20Twist%20in%20Carl%20Lewis%20Candidacy&description=>
> Posted in campaigns <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=59> | Comments Off
> “Will Funny Money Elect the Next President?”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22155>
> Posted on August 22, 2011 1:48 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22155> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> Michael Kirkland has written this UPI colum<http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/08/21/Under-the-US-Supreme-Court-Will-funny-money-elect-the-next-president/UPI-51571313911800?dailybrief>n
> about *Citizens United*.
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22155&title=%E2%80%9CWill%20Funny%20Money%20Elect%20the%20Next%20President%3F%E2%80%9D&description=>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments
> Off
> *LA Times* Editorial Praises CA Redistricting Commission<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22152>
> Posted on August 22, 2011 12:28 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22152>
> by Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> Here<http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-redistricting-20110822,0,905019.story>.
> It concludes: “Lawsuits don’t mean the process has failed. It had some
> holes, and there is room for improvement. But its mission has been
> accomplished. The political parties no longer pick their voters.”
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22152&title=%3Ci%3ELA%20Times%3C%2Fi%3E%20Editorial%20Praises%20CA%20Redistricting%20Commission&description=>
> Posted in citizen commissions <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=7>,
> redistricting <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments Off
> Joshua Spivak Says a Recall of Gov. Christie Would Not Recall Lt. Gov.
> as Well <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22149>
> Posted on August 22, 2011 11:10 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22149>
> by Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> See here<http://recallelections.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-jersey-democrats-seriously.html>
> .
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22149&title=Joshua%20Spivak%20Says%20a%20Recall%20of%20Gov.%20Christie%20Would%20Not%20Recall%20Lt.%20Gov.%20as%20Well&description=>
> Posted in recall elections <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=11> | Comments
> Off
>
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22146&title=Should%20Justice%20Prosser%20Have%20Recused%20Himself%20in%20Voting%20on%20the%20Wisconsin%20Collective%20Bargaining%20Case%3F&description=>
> Posted in campaigns <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=59>, conflict of
> interest laws <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=20>, judicial elections<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=19>
> | Comments Off
> “The Republican Presidential Candidates on Voter ID”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22143>
> Posted on August 22, 2011 9:57 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=22143> by Rick
> Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
>
> RNLA has the juicy quotes<http://rnla.org/Blogs/blogs/public/archive/2011/08/22/the-republican-presidential-candidates-on-voter-id.aspx>
> .
> [image: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D22143&title=%E2%80%9CThe%20Republican%20Presidential%20Candidates%20on%20Voter%20ID%E2%80%9D&description=>
> Posted in voter id <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=9> | Comments Off
> --
> Rick Hasen
> Professor of Law and Political Science
> UC Irvine School of Law
> 401 E. Peltason Dr., Suite 1000
> Irvine, CA 92697-8000
> 949.824.3072 - office
> 949.824.0495 - fax
> rhasen at law.uci.edu
> http://law.uci.edu/faculty/page1_r_hasen.html
> http://electionlawblog.org
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
--
Steve Klein
Staff Attorney & Research Counsel*
Wyoming Liberty Group
www.wyliberty.org
**Licensed to practice law in Illinois. Counsel to the Wyoming Liberty Group
pursuant to Rule 5.5(d) of the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct.*
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