Republican candidate for Texas Supreme Court: "He's never tried a case. He’s never written a judicial opinion or an appeal."
High court hopeful walks into town
October 7, 2006
By Ron Maloney
The Herald-Zeitung
Copyright 2006
There are nine justices on the Texas Supreme Court. And they’re all Republicans.
In fact, a Democrat hasn’t served on the body that is this state’s highest arbiter of civil disputes in more than a decade.
But Thursday, a district judge, former El Paso district attorney and Democrat walked into New Braunfels to tell local voters, Republican and Democrat alike, why they should vote for him.
His name is Bill Moody, and he’s running against Republican Don Willett, who has come under fire in the media and some political circles because he lacks judicial experience.
He’s hitting the campaign trail on foot and already has logged more than 600 miles in his quest for the open seat on the state supreme court.
He’s been sunburned, endured sore feet and almost been bitten by a rattlesnake.
But he said he’s learning things about Texas and its people he couldn’t learn by flying over the state or by driving down Interstate 10 at 70 mph.
“It’s given me the opportunity to see a whole lot of Texas and a whole lot of the people in Texas,” Moody said.
“Judges spend most of their time talking to lawyers. I’ve spent 90 percent of my time talking to non-lawyers.”
Moody, 56, became an assistant district attorney after completing law school and was appointed to the 34th district court bench in 1986.
In 11 years as a prosecutor, he tried more than 100 felony cases — including 30 homicides. In two decades as a district judge, he has heard more than 400 felony and civil jury trials and conducted thousands of judicial hearings.
One thing he’s learned, he said, is that Texans want their children to receive good educations — but at the same time they don’t want to lose their homes trying to pay for it.
Another issue is the Trans-Texas Corridor, which in one fashion or another likely will go before the supreme court.
“I don’t think anybody quarrels with the government having the authority to build an interstate highway or a rail road line,” Moody said.
“Where the rub could come is the government will not own this road. It’ll belong to a private company. Will the supreme court become involved? It’s very possible it could.”
A third issue — always important in Texas — will be water and the rights of capture.
“Some of these are very complex issues, and they have a very big impact on the people of Texas,” Moody said.
“That’s why we need someone with judicial experience on the supreme court.
“My opponent is a very good man. But he’s never tried a case. He’s never written a judicial opinion or an appeal.
“I think it’s really difficult for someone who has never tried a case and hasn’t spent much time in a courtroom to say, ‘OK, you’re doing it right’ or ‘No, you’re doing it wrong.’”
© 2006 The Herald-Zeitung : herald-zeitung.com
October 7, 2006
By Ron Maloney
The Herald-Zeitung
Copyright 2006
There are nine justices on the Texas Supreme Court. And they’re all Republicans.
In fact, a Democrat hasn’t served on the body that is this state’s highest arbiter of civil disputes in more than a decade.
But Thursday, a district judge, former El Paso district attorney and Democrat walked into New Braunfels to tell local voters, Republican and Democrat alike, why they should vote for him.
His name is Bill Moody, and he’s running against Republican Don Willett, who has come under fire in the media and some political circles because he lacks judicial experience.
He’s hitting the campaign trail on foot and already has logged more than 600 miles in his quest for the open seat on the state supreme court.
He’s been sunburned, endured sore feet and almost been bitten by a rattlesnake.
But he said he’s learning things about Texas and its people he couldn’t learn by flying over the state or by driving down Interstate 10 at 70 mph.
“It’s given me the opportunity to see a whole lot of Texas and a whole lot of the people in Texas,” Moody said.
“Judges spend most of their time talking to lawyers. I’ve spent 90 percent of my time talking to non-lawyers.”
Moody, 56, became an assistant district attorney after completing law school and was appointed to the 34th district court bench in 1986.
In 11 years as a prosecutor, he tried more than 100 felony cases — including 30 homicides. In two decades as a district judge, he has heard more than 400 felony and civil jury trials and conducted thousands of judicial hearings.
One thing he’s learned, he said, is that Texans want their children to receive good educations — but at the same time they don’t want to lose their homes trying to pay for it.
Another issue is the Trans-Texas Corridor, which in one fashion or another likely will go before the supreme court.
“I don’t think anybody quarrels with the government having the authority to build an interstate highway or a rail road line,” Moody said.
“Where the rub could come is the government will not own this road. It’ll belong to a private company. Will the supreme court become involved? It’s very possible it could.”
A third issue — always important in Texas — will be water and the rights of capture.
“Some of these are very complex issues, and they have a very big impact on the people of Texas,” Moody said.
“That’s why we need someone with judicial experience on the supreme court.
“My opponent is a very good man. But he’s never tried a case. He’s never written a judicial opinion or an appeal.
“I think it’s really difficult for someone who has never tried a case and hasn’t spent much time in a courtroom to say, ‘OK, you’re doing it right’ or ‘No, you’re doing it wrong.’”
© 2006 The Herald-Zeitung :
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Saturday, October 07, 2006
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