Blunt envisions ‘fair-minded’ judicial branch

By Allen Palmeri
Staff Writer

May 17, 2005

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt blasted the judicial activism of unelected, liberal, activist judges who insist upon ruling America like despots despite widespread public disapproval.

“Judges are out of control in this country,” Blunt said in his office during a May 4 interview.

Blunt, who studied American history at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., believes in Jeffersonian republicanism. By that he means that all three branches of government are co-equal and co-sovereign. In other words, the executive branch may choose to uphold the constitution by defying the judicial branch as “the very last resort,” Blunt said. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson both owned this view, the Missouri governor said.

U.S. Circuit Court Judge Scott O. Wright of Kansas City has managed to tie up two of Missouri’s pro-life laws in his courtroom since 1999. He may add a third notch to his belt if a pro-life bill passes the General Assembly in September and is signed into law. Blunt said Missourians ought to view the bill as being constitutionally sound the moment that he signs it, meaning that any judge out there who may be thinking about scuttling it in his courtroom ought to beware.

“I wouldn’t sign legislation that I believe was in conflict with the constitution,” Blunt said. “I think it is dangerous when courts overstep their bounds and really delve too deeply into whether or not measures are constitutional and create arbitrary rights that don’t truly exist in the constitution.

“I would not look favorably on any judge who kept Missourians from advancing legislation that was in accordance with their values.”

Blunt answered five questions about judicial activism. When he released news of his first judicial appointment April 7, Associate Circuit Judge Robert C. Carter to the 44th Circuit Court in Douglas County, it revealed his philosophy on judicial appointments.

“I know that he (Carter) will be a fair-minded judge who interprets laws instead of attempting to create them from the bench,” Blunt said.

 “I think judges should attempt to craft decisions that reflect the values of the taxpayers that they work for.”