Searching for 3 New Supremes

Today's print column

After months of overheated talk about robed tyrants plaguing Iowa, it's been heartening to watch the Judicial Nominating Commission interview dozens of candidates for three slots on the Iowa Supreme Court.

Now, I know that this week's open, Internet-streamed sessions are largely about public relations. A judicial branch hit by November's vote to oust three justices is eager to look more open and accessible.

Commission members previously had private interviews with many of the nominees, which will likely have more bearing on which nine finalists advance to Gov. Terry Branstad. I assume the panel's private questioning was less polite and more provocatively probing than most of what I saw in public.

The governor also will do his interviewing in private. So we're not really seeing the real guts of this process. Too bad.

But this is the first chance we've had in decades to witness any of this. To me, it's a must-see. I watched several hours of interviews over the past few days, although I can't say I saw every candidate testify. Work  intervened at times.

Still, from what I saw, the commission has a tough job. Many quality candidates marched into the Supreme Court chambers for their 30 minutes in the spotlight. A list of finalists is expected today or Friday.

Of course, November's vote loomed over the questioning.

Most candidates were asked how they would engage Iowans, with hopes of repairing any damage. Many pledged to get out in public, open doors and seek out lawmakers. Good impulses, though I'm skeptical courthouse coffees can inoculate the court against the scorched-earth campaign we saw waged last fall.

Several applicants also worked hard to be seen as real people, not courtroom caricatures. They grew up in small towns and on farms, detasseling corn and walking beans. Some have served or are serving their country. Many overcame obstacles. The field even included two sky diving lawyers.

“When you jump out of an airplane, the only law you think about is the law of gravity,” said Joseph Barron, an impressive candidate from Des Moines who has argued more than 70 cases before the state Supreme Court.

Most impressive was the many examples of dogged commitment I saw to keeping Iowa's judiciary independent and strong. If anti-retention crusaders hoped their attacks would lead to a weakened or cowed court, scared of its own robed shadow, its nose in opinion polls, I think they'll be disappointed.

"I'm not an ideologue, nor am I subject to anyone's influence," said Jeanie Vaudt, an assistant attorney general who happens to be married to "that CPA dude across the street," Auditor David Vaudt. "I will call them as I see them."

Several candidates I watched said the election drove them to apply and defend the courts. District Judge Annette Scieszinski of Albia saw it as her civic duty. “Courts protect the rule of law. The rule of law protects the people,” she said, insisting the court must have an “assertive response to political attacks.”

Lorraine May, a veteran Des Moines lawyer and former member of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, said she was “astonished” by the disconnect between the public view of the courts and its actual role, and is determined to bridge the gap.

Barron, the sky diver, said the vote “galvanized” his desire to serve. “I could not stand by and do nothing,” he said.

That may not impress Branstad, who did nothing during the retention debate. But I think the governor will get nine strong picks. And I'm much more hopeful now than before that the election results, rather than inflicting permanent damage, may have delivered only a glancing blow.

Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@sourcemedia.net