S.C. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE EYED FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGESHIP
By FITSNEWS || S.C. Supreme Court justice Donald W. Beatty is being vetted by the administration of U.S. president Barack Obama for a seat on the federal bench, sources familiar with the process tell FITS.
If appointed by Obama, Beatty would take the place of circuit court judge Alison Lee – whose nomination for the seat being vacated by Cameron McGowan Currie was unceremoniously withdrawn back in September. Lee’s nomination ran into trouble from the Palmetto State’s two “Republican” U.S. Senators after an issue was made of her leniency toward violent offenders. As a result, her nomination never even received a hearing.
FITS extensively addressed the speculation surrounding Beatty in this post – but we’re hearing this train is far further down the tracks than we anticipated.
“Absent a complication he will be nominated before Christmas,” a source familiar with Beatty’s vetting told FITS.
If Beatty is selected for a U.S. District Court judgeship, he would give up his seat on the state Supreme Court. That would give state lawmakers three appointments on the five-justice panel over the next two years (chief justice Jean Toal and associate justice Costa Pleicones hit retirement age in 2015 and 2016, respectively).
That’s significant when you consider the brewing spitball fight between the state’s high court and the S.C. General Assembly over a recent education case.
FITS has long believed all judges in South Carolina should be appointed by the executive branch – with the advise and consent of the State Senate. How come? The current process is far too corrupt – as Toal’s recent reelection as chief justice demonstrated.
As for Beatty, why would he leave the highest court in the state for a district court judgeship? Easy: Money and job security. Federal appointments to the bench not only pay better, they’re for life. Also, Beatty – a liberal, black Democrat – was unlikely to be chosen chief justice of the Supreme Court after his bruising appointment to the court seven years ago.
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4 comments
This is old news! As in months old. Really FITS.
Thank the GODs and the stars, get this idiot with anger management issues that are only outsizes by his lack of legal knowledge off the bench in SC as soon so possible. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great advocate for his clients/friends from his position on the bench, and it was through a hard fought crooked legislative wheeling and dealing that he made it there, but SC jurisprudence has suffered enough…enough, please appoint him Mr. President.
Spoken like a true apologist for hack solicitors too lazy or corrupt to fulfill their duties. Remind them they are to do justice and they erupt
While it is definitely a lesser of two evils situation, I think I prefer Beatty on the Supreme Court, where his foolishness can theoretically be diluted by the other justices. Plus, he would be forced to retire eventually, which at least puts an outer limit on what damage he can inflict. No such luck with federal judges. I mean, we still have a Carter appointee on the federal bench in this state.