BREAKING: Restore Justice 2012 Challenges Florida Supreme Court Justices to Debate

Jesse Phillips, President of Restore Justice 2012, has formally invitedFlorida Supreme Court Justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy Quince "to debate whether these Justices merit retention" on the November ballot.

"While grateful for the opportunity to participate in the merit retentionseminar hosted by the St. Pete Bar Association, we believe there is one glaring omission in the formata discussion about the records of the three merit retentioncandidates themselves," reads the letter to the justices' joint-campaign manager, Dan Newman. "A cordial debate in an agreed upon format, would allow voters to hear both sides, and would allow the Justices records to be defended where they feel misrepresented."

Restore Justice is urging a "NO" vote on the justices' merit retention, claiming that Pariente, Lewis, and Quince are left-wing activists who impose their personal moral philosophies on their legal reasoning, to the detriment of the original public meaning of the laws that govern the most controversial cases that come before them.

Contrary to popular belief, the justices are not prohibited by either the Florida Statutes or the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct from discussing their legal philosophy or from discussing and defending their past rulings; a judicial candidate may even discuss his personal political opinions and what he believes the state of the law is on a controversial question. What a judge may not do is commit to ruling a particular way on a case that might come before him.

Although the justices have been traveling around the state to interview before several newspaper editorial boards, they have declined to participate in any discussion about their rulings or judicial philosophy.For the last several weeks Sunshine State News has reached out Pariente, Lewis, and Quince, but in September we were notified by a representative of their campaign that they are specifically refusing to interview with the News, which is Floridas only center-right news organization.

Here is the full text of Phillips's letter:

"October 18th, 2012

"Mr. Dan Newman:

"On behalf of citizens throughout Florida who are taking unprecedentedinterest in our state court system, Restore Justice formally invites the supporters of
the Florida Supreme Court Justices to debate whether these Justices merit retention.

"While grateful for the opportunity to participate in the merit retentionseminar hosted by the St. Pete Bar Association, we believe there is one glaringomission in the formata discussion about the records of the three merit retentioncandidates themselves.

"A cordial debate in an agreed upon format, would allow voters to hear bothsides, and would allow the Justices records to be defended where they feel
misrepresented.

"To allow Election Day to come and pass without engaging in a publicdiscussion together about the merits of the Justices, would be a great disservice toFloridians who are asking these questions among themselves, and who greatlydesire this dialog.

"Surely there is a member of the legal community eager to defend the recordsof Justices Pariente, Quince and Lewis before voters cast their ballots.

"Any member of the Justices retention campaigns or other supportive group iswelcome to accept this invitation by contacting me by phone or email.

"Sincerely,

"Jesse Phillips
Restore Justice, President"