For Murkowski, Cronyism trumps Constitution

Frank Murkowski has demanded that the Alaska Judical Council send him additional nominations for a superior court position in Anchorage. Murkowski does not seem to want to appoint any of the three persons the Council rated as "most qualified." He has, therefore, demanded that the Council forward the names of all "qualified" candidates for his consideration.

Now, Frank Murkowski has never been a man overly concerned with the pursuit of excellence and has devoted his life to establishing mediocrity in various areas of public policy. Murkowski's wish to pass over the best possible judical candidates for someone of lesser ability comes, therefore, as no surprise.

What is a surprise is just how clearly the Alaskan Constitution prohibits just what Murkowski is trying to do. Section 4, Article 5 clearly states:

§ 5. Nomination and Appointment

The governor shall fill any vacancy in an office of supreme court justice or superior court judge by appointing one of two or more persons nominated by the judicial council. [Emphasis mine.-B]

The Judicial Council, by forwarding three names, has already given the Governor one more name than the number to which he is entitled. Maybe Frank is just disappointed that no one from his immediate family made the list of "most qualified."

Note to Judical Council: Next time there is a similar vacancy, send Murkowski just two names. Maybe that will encourage him to read the Alaskan Constitution before starting such a silly, unnecessary conflict.

[Update: I just discovered that Nemo at Alaskascreed beat me to the punch on this topic. Nemo claims that the person Murkowski was hoping to put in the superior court seat is Scott Nordstrand.]