Latino Groups Question Liu's Nomination to State Supreme Court
Berkeley law prof would be one of four Asian justices on the panel, which has no Latino members
Gov. Jerry Brown's nomination of UC Berkeley law professor Goodwin Liu to the California Supreme Court Tuesday prompted criticism from Latino groups who say the choice will leave a major segment of the state's population without representation on the court.
If confirmed, Liu would replace former Associate Justice Carlos Moreno, the only Latino on the seven-member court, who retired in February. Liu would be one of four justices of Asian descent and one of three men on the panel, which is based in San Francisco. The court currently has no Hispanic or African-American members.
"It is a grave oversight for the Supreme Court not to reflect the full diversity of our state," the National Associated of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials said in a press release Tuesday. "The California Supreme Court interprets the law on issues that are critical to all California families. Justice is best served when the perspectives of all Californians are represented."
Latinos make up about 38 percent of the state's population, while Asians account for about 15 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
At a press conference Tuesday, Brown defended his selection of Liu, who he said could "help make the California State Supreme Court great again."
Brown said that he didn't think attributes like gender, national origin or race should be the main criteria for choosing a justice.
"We're all Californians," Brown said. "I conscientiously evaluated all the nominees, and this is the one I chose."
Moreno issued a statement calling the nomination "visionary and truly meritorious."
"Goodwin Liu is a brilliant scholar and dedicated teacher. He is admired for his measured, balanced and rational judgment," Moreno said.
President Barack Obama had nominated Liu to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in February 2010, but Liu withdrew his candidacy this May after facing Republican opposition.
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voltairesmistress
I suppose advocacy groups have to make the obligatory statements supporting this or that candidate based on that person's ethnicity or gender or orientation or religion, or whatever. But frankly, I am tired of this one-for-one choosing of judges. So Liu replaces Moreno, so what? A fierce advocate for the rights of the downtrodden, the child of immigrants, will somehow lack understanding of Latinos in the justice system? This is so old school.
In the next few years there will be other openings, and plenty of excellent, Latino attorneys will be considered. Surely, over the next decade or two, the court will better reflect the make-up of California. We are rapidly changing the make up of the courts because more and more diverse law school grads are coming into the business of law. But for the court in each year of its existence to mirror the census data would be an insult to its members, and to the intelligence of all Californians.
Tizzie Lish
I am of European descent and white, fyi. I sure wish Liu had been appointed to the Court of Appeals and it angers me that the Repugs were able to filibuster his nomination. As Governor Brown says, what should really matter when appointing justices is their skill and it should matter on the federal courts. Objective, non-partisan rigorous thinking is what appeals courts need.
So Brown probably has made a good choice.
However, I sure wish Brown had chosen a Latino to replace Moreno. 38% of Californians are Latino. It's time to acknowledge the huge Latino population.
There would be other opportunities for Asians.
It seems that Liu's time has come. He seems like a super star candidate. I empathize. He's brilliant, eager to progress. He must really want to be an appellate judge. Good for him. For once, I see a qualified candidate, not a well connected heck with an ego.
Still, 38% Latino means a lot.
If the CA Supreme court will now have five Asians and Asians comprise 15% of the state's population, that doesn't seem fair either.
Oh well. When was life fair.
b s
This is a great choice no matter what his race is. Just because a Latino was not chosen it was not mean that Latino contribution or population is not being "acknowledged." Though I'm not Asian, I could not care less if every member of the CA Supreme Court was Asian (or Latino or whatever), as long as they are excellent candidates. These decisions should be based on merit, pure and simple.
Kurt Turner
I am shocked and outraged that a Homeless Handicapped Gay Eskimo was not nominated!
Jim McCrea
Will someone please direct me to the provision of the California constitution wherein proportional representation is required of membership in the State Supreme Court? I guess I missed it.
J S
It's not codified because the very foundation of our society was built on the idea of equality. Please read a book.
M L
If one is invested in identity politics, every vacuum is a slight, as opposed to an oversight, at worst, and more likely something else. Like a qualified candidate.
My concern here is that I actually think there was wisdom in the failure of this individual to get the appointment to the federal court -- the same wisdom absent in the approval of Clarence Thomas. Both strike me as people who haven't earned the office.
Our history has plenty of examples of high quality candidates from all perspectives achieving high office. They tend to do great things.
Whether left or right, when the candidate is dubious, the best course is to strike the nomination.
Whether left or right.
voltairesmistress
ML, what do you know about Mr. Liu that would make you think he hasn't earned the office of a high judgeship? I ask, because I think many different kinds of professional experience lend themselves to being a judge. A great intellect and keen legal reasoning, however, seem irreplaceable. What do you object to, specifically, about this candidate?
J S
Well, this doesn't look good. Not one black or Hispanic, not one? I'm not a quota kind of guy. Quotas have screwed me in the past. But not one? I don't like this. Blacks or Hispanics view the world from a different vantage point than one might imagine for a White or Asian person. These worlds need representation, especially in the courts. Peace