Iowa Governor Branstad won't ask Supreme Court nominees about same-sex marriage
DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad is planning an hour-long
interview with each of the nine nominees for three seats on the
Iowa Supreme Court, but said he doesn't intend to ask them about
the case that created those vacancies.
Branstad reiterated his position that Iowans want and should
be given an opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment
banning same-sex marriage. However, the fifth-term Republican said
it's not his intent to focus on any specific case. That includes
Varnum v. Brien, the 2009 Supreme Court decision that struck down
the state ban on same-sex marriage. In the wake of that decision,
Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices Michael Streit and David
Baker were voted out of office in November.
They were the targets of social conservatives who
disagreed with the court's unanimous decision to strike down the
state ban on gay marriage.
Public Advocate feels Governor Branstad may fuel the
continued campaign for removal of additional judges, including the
ones he puts on the court. Removing judges by referendum might get
to be a regular affair in Iowa.
http://www.globegazette.com/news/iowa/article_a6368afa-2d5c-11e0-a17c-001cc4c002e0.html