Clear the Bench: “Fringy Perennials”? Our buddies at Colorado Pols think so!

by Jimmy Sengenberger | 11:21 pm, January 19, 2010 | Comments Off

Our best buds over at Colorado Pols have left no doubt as to their conclusion that Clear the Bench Colorado is made of “fringy perennial ‘Clear the Benchers’” led by that “Bad Elf” John Andrews and his band of “judiciary-hating” cranks – in the process entirely ignoring its real leader, our own Matt Arnold, and the reality and rationality upon which the CTBC effort is based.

In what one could claim is a sign of fear over the significant headway CTBC is making across Colorado, the well-meaning folks at Colorado Pols left no doubt as to their irritation with the organization and to their reaction to developments about Attorney General John Suthers’ course correction on his comments that he will vote NO on keeping three of the four Colorado Supreme Court Injustices up for retention this November.

The thing is, Attorney General John Suthers wants, as soon as the lights are shined, nothing to do with the fringy perennial “Clear the Benchers.” Every election in recent memory has featured former Senate President John “Bad Elf” Andrews laying on the thick sauce about the judicial branch’s depredations (if only the politicians could do their thing without those meddling courts!), and every year whatever he manages to get on the ballot–if anything–tanks miserably. This year, they’re apparently focusing their efforts on retention elections for several Colorado Supreme Court justices, where historically one sees little-improved prospects for success.

…We’ve heard Suthers hates being accused of politics influencing his judgment, so we are not surprised to see him trying to downplay one of his most pointedly political attacks yet–especially after joining the ‘judiciary haters’ scorned by the legal world, Democrat and Republican alike.

The blog claiming to have “more readers than the DenverPost.com’s political section” fails to take into account several factors in their faulty analysis:

1. It all starts with the true leadership in this movement.  Not only is it not the good former Senate President taking the lead – though he is naturally a firm supporter – but it is a true grassroots activist leading the charge for something he truly believes in, and with good cause.  Of course, to suit its own purposes, Pols makes no mention whatsoever of Director Matt Arnold, instead sticking with that damned politically-charged “Elf,” John Andrews.
2. Never has there been a campaign of this kind run in the history of the state.  In past efforts, such as advocating public elections and term limits for Supreme Court justices, efforts were directed primarily toward amending the appointment and removal process, not to ensure that certain justices were or were not retained.  In fact, there has never been a campaign to convince Coloradans to actually “vote the rascals out.”  Prior to CTBC, all Coloradans had available as a resource were the recommendations of the State Commission on Judicial Performance that are found in the Blue Book every election.  Sure, there are a few instances in which the committee recommended a “no” vote – usually resulting in the successful removal of those judges – but generally the recommendations, which arguably do not take into account several key factors, are a resounding yes, as will likely be the case this time around.  In the past these recommendations were normally just rubber-stamped by the public.  But this time, CTBC is leading the charge to change that – something that’s never even been tried before.  So before you reject the campaign flat-out, give it a chance.
3. The reality is that this is a grassroots effort led by the people, not “Republican elitists” or “Big Elves” on loan from Santa’s Political Workshop of Perennially Fringy Politics, nor is it run by “judiciary haters,” but rather genuinely concerned citizens – citizens worried that their rights under the Colorado Constitution are being trampled upon by an overzealous Supreme Court.  And the number of citizens from throughout the state jumping on board the CTBC train are growing.  Plus, who in the “legal world” is “scorning” CTBC – except those who have an ox to be gored in the campaign?  I haven’t seen any.  In fact, I haver personally witnessed the exact opposite.
4. Never before has there been so much stinky fodder on the matter, from the blatantly unconstitutional tax increases stemming from the railroading of TABOR to their rulings that the Supreme Court, not the legislature, is supposed to be the guide for properly allocating education funding and managing redistricting, along with a growing resume of constitutional violations.  The actions of the Mullarky Majority of the Supreme Court, in case after case after case, have been indefensible and in clear violation of the Constitution, if not outright disdain or ignorance of it.
5. Call me fringy if you want, but I sincerely believe that the evidence suggests otherwise.  And Matt and CTBC are neither “fringy” nor “judiciary-hating.”  I have interviewed its Director three times on my Seng Center radio show, most recently on my December 17th broadcast, and not once has he made any unreasoned arguments not based in pure fact, as documented repeatedly at ClearTheBenchColorado.org.  Moreover, not once has he been critical of the judiciary or the Court itself – merely four of its members for repeated, blatant usurpations of constitutional rights.

Judicial activists, liberal bloggers, and Democratic operatives can cry “fringy” and “extremist” all they want on the “Big Elves,” but the reality is that CTBC is a legitimate grassroots effort with a basis in the documented actions of the Supreme Court itself.  Nothing “fringy” or “hateful” about it, though I guess if you believe in constitutional government, maybe you are a little “perennial” in your desire to protect your constitutional rights.  But is that really such a bad thing?

Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty. - Thomas Jefferson

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At Regis University, junior and rising political commentator Jimmy Sengenberger hosts a weekly online radio show from 6pm to 8pm on the college’s KRCX radio station, dubbed SENG CENTER.  Each week, Jimmy presents a staunchly small-government perspective, ensuring that conservative and libertarian-leaning voices are heard on campus and that real, legitimate debates – not just opinions shoved down your throat – take place on college campuses.  As such, the show features debates and discussions with liberal/Democrat students and professors on a range of issues, along with interviews with folks like U.S. Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff, gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes, elected officials, and grassroots organizers like Matt Arnold of Clear the Bench Colorado.

Come be a part of this exciting effort to fight the liberal bias on college campuses!  Tune in tonight and every Thursday night from 6 to 8 at krcx.org, or check out the podcasted show online every weekend at www.SengCenter.com.  And please do spread the word to your friends, especially college students you know, and call in if you feel so inclined.

Seng Center, Every Thursday Night from 6pm to 8pm at krcx.org!

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