Thirty million dollars buys a lot of very reliable Conservative voting on the US Supreme Court.
Jacobin magazine reports that Brett Kavanaugh was funded to the tune of $30 million in support of his quest for a seat on the USSC. $16 million of that came from an anonymous donor.
When Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court was under fire, a dark money group called Judicial Crisis Network came to his aid. According to recently obtained documents, more than half of JCN's funding came from one mysterious, unnamed donor who gave $15.9 million towards the effort.
Kavanaugh’s confirmation was hardly a sure thing — he not only had what critics called an extreme judicial record, he also faced sexual assault accusations from Stanford professor Christine Blasey Ford, as well as questions about his personal finances. The well-funded campaign behind him was pivotal in overcoming those controversies and pressuring lawmakers to approve his nomination.
Kavanaugh replaced swing-vote Justice Anthony Kennedy — and since he has joined the court, he has provided a reliably conservative vote on close 5-4 rulings. Most recently, he wrote the opinion for a 5-4 ruling that helps prevent workers from suing over allegations that Wall Street firms have bilked their retirement systems.
Some of that money was used to buy the endorsement of influential Republican groups such as the NRA that then came out in support of Kavanaugh's confirmation.
At $16 mil, someone's laid down a heavy marker. But that was just over half of what it took to get Bart O'Kavanaugh over the finish line. There should be no way for a judge to recieve anonymous support. Americans are entitled to know who contributed to Boof's campaign. Could you imagine being a litigant up against someone who'd secretly given $1,000, let alone $16 mil, to one of the judges?!
ReplyDeleteThen there's the little matter of O'Kavanaugh's disappearing debts. In May 2017, he reported owing between $60,004 and $200,000 on three credit cards and a loan against his retirement account. By July 2018, those debts had vanished.
I'd argue that he should be required to recuse in every case until all donors are known. How else can you assure he has no conflict?
Cap
ReplyDeleteCap, I understand that across America, law firms line up behind their favoured judicial candidates, contribute to their candidate's campaign, fundraise, beat the drums and then, if their guy wins, gleefully argue cases before that judge without reservation.
You can argue that Kavanaugh be sidelined until he comes clean on his megadonors but, from what I've seen, yours would be a solitary voice in the wind. I don't hear the ABA chiming in, do you?
The underpinnings of the American judicial system are inherently corrupt, top to bottom. How else to explain decisions such as Citizens United? Roberts sails into the wind but he's careful to know when the Supremes are getting into dangerous waters. He always pulls back from the edge - just barely.
Your picture of Kavanaugh throwing his temper tantrum reminded me of the day it happened and I was immediately drawn to his wife (who you can see just to the left of him) who had an immediate look of absolute horror on her face.
ReplyDeleteMy senses also had an immediate reaction, and that was that she has witnessed this same behaviour - probably many times - in her own home. It would not surprise me in the least if he doesn't on occasion ball up his fists in a threatening manner when he doesn't get his own way. As a member of the female species, I think he is an absolute creep!
I also found Kavanaugh's contorted face more than a bit creepy and wondered what it revealed about his private life. I think you read his wife's face perfectly, Lulymay.
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