[Mpls] MCCL Doing Calls for Hennepin Judge Candidate Steve Baker

[KarenCollier at aol.com]

I have known Steve Baker for almost ten years.  He is a 13th ward  resident 
and was active in the community when I worked for Steve Minn at City  Hall.
 
Baker is a moderate.  He is not a Greg Wersal nut case.  He  probably leans 
more right of center than left, thus the support of some GOP  politicians that 
he has probably volunteered for in the past, but he also has  the support of 
some well known moderate, pro-choice politicos like me, Linda  Koblick, Walt 
Dziedzic and Steve Minn (who was on the NARAL Board).  Not  exactly people on 
the MCCL "favorite" list.
 
Who can say why MCCL is calling, if they are.  I certainly have not  been 
called by them.  I did get an AFSCME call for Susan Burke.  Am I  to assume she 
will make sympathetic labor rulings to the determent of the  public?  I am sure 
not.
 
The abortion question is a high court issue that will never be decided at  
the local level.  Baker is not going to violate the canon of ethics and  
campaign on an issue so he is powerless to refute the unfounded suggestion he is  
anti-choice.  He is known as a fair and reasonable prosecutor, with a high  
conviction rate.  That shows passion for the law.
 
After prosecuting heinous violent crimes as a Florida AG, I suspect any  
speeches about the death penalty before he was a candidate were made in the  
context of his prosecutorial experience.
 
I think the point we have here is that there are two highly qualified  public 
prosecutors seeking the job -- a refreshing change from the anonymity of  
candidates in the past.  When I vote for judges I look to their legal  
credentials (identical) their community service (equal) and the  endorsements/supporters 
(equality impressive).
 
I know Steve Baker, I do not know Susan Burke.  Any reader on this  list 
should take comfort that Baker's passion for the law will only guarantee an  equal 
passion for interpreting and applying the law fairly.  What else  could we 
ask of a judge?
 
Karen Collier
Linden Hills