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* Background is here if you need it. ILGOP…
Madigan Machine Judge Mary K. O’Brien is misrepresenting Illinois Supreme Court Justice Michael Burke in a negative TV ad regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion decision. O’Brien offered no proof or citation for her misleading claims.
Unlike Mary K. O’Brien apparently, Justice Burke supports judicial independence and has not expressed any opinion on that issue or any issue that may come before the Illinois Supreme Court, which is ethically required of judges and candidates for judicial office. That may be partly why the Illinois State Bar Association, which is comprised of attorneys from across the legal field and political spectrum, has rated Justice Burke as “Highly Recommended,” a rating higher than that of O’Brien.
The Illinois Republican Party is calling on Mary K. O’Brien to take down her misleading ad and apologize for running a smear campaign against a respected and qualified judge, Justice Michael Burke.
“It’s unsurprising that Madigan Machine Judge Mary K. O’Brien is resorting to misleading attacks against Justice Michael Burke so close to Election Day. As someone who cut her teeth as a Madigan loyalist in the General Assembly, O’Brien seems to be following the Madigan playbook. We call on O’Brien to take down her misleading TV ad and apologize for running a smear campaign against Justice Burke,” said Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Shaun McCabe.
Judge Mary Kay O’Brien’s deep ties to the Madigan Machine are well known. O’Brien was appointed as an Appellate Court Justice during her final year in the Illinois General Assembly after voting with Madigan 93.6% of the time. O’Brien also “Helped Madigan Regain The Speakership,” and received over $200,000 in political contributions from political groups led by Madigan over the course of her career.
* The claims in the ad are mostly based on an interview Justice Burke did earlier this year. Some excerpts supplied by the ILGOP…
19:30: Q: “How is the situation in Illinois any different if at all now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned by the Dobbs decision?”
Burke: “It’s not.”
20:02: Burke: “What Dobbs did was very specifically sent the issue of abortion back to the state legislatures, and Illinois has spoken on that.”
25:08: Burke: “If the General Assembly passes a law, it’s clear and unambiguous, it should be applied as written. Whether I would have voted for it, or whether I would have signed it as a governor doesn’t matter. It should be applied as written, and I say that to people when I’m out talking to groups. I say if you don’t like the laws that are passed by the legislature, your obligation is to get new legislators, not to go to the courts.”
Q: “So you don’t legislate? That’s what you’re saying?”
Burke: That’s what I’m saying.”
Q: “If you don’t legislate, what do you do?”
Burke: “We apply the law as it’s written to the facts. We’re called upon to interpret the law and interpret constitutional provisions from time to time.”
26:26: Q: “If you had a case before you dealing with abortion issues, would you start with the U.S. Constitution, would you start with the Illinois Constitution, where would you start as you began to think about that?
Burke: “Well, you would probably start with the statute…”
* OK, now let’s go to the MKO campaign’s response…
The stakes in this Illinois Supreme Court race could not be higher. Now that the US Supreme Court has overturned Roe versus Wade, only Illinois law protects a woman’s right to choose in our state. Extremists are hard at work trying to challenge Illinois law.
This Illinois Supreme Court race will decide who controls our courts. Justice Mary Kay O’Brien has been endorsed by the leading pro-choice advocates in Illinois. Mike Burke has made clear that he agrees with the decision to overturn Roe, and he is supported by the same anti-choice groups that are trying to overturn Illinois law protecting that right.
Justice Burke is trying to backtrack, but his position is clear. He has told us where he stands.
In an interview with Jeff Berkowitz posted July 28, 2022, Mike Burke was asked if the majority that overturned Roe were originalists. He said yes, and was then asked if he was an originalist to which he replied, “…I am…That’s the way I view the constitution.”
Burke also said when it comes to the right to choose, there is no enumerated right to privacy in the US or State Constitution.
The only statement we have from Mike Burke is that he supports Dobbs. If he opposes Dobbs, he should say so.
Justice Burke is supported by pro-life groups, including Illinois Right to Life Action, a group who is strongly anti-choice. On April 29, 2022 of this year Burke was photographed at the Right to Life 53rd Annual Leaders for Life Banquet.
Justice Michael Burke is endorsed and found qualified by the Illinois Right to Life Action. Voter Guides - Illinois Right to Life Action
Justice Burke has also been a member of the St. Thomas More Society, a group for DuPage County attorneys. Illinois Right to Life filed an amicus brief in Dobbs, drafted by St. Thomas More Society’s attorneys, advocating overturning Roe.
* And the campaign supplied its own set of quotes from that same interview…
Burke on calling himself, the Dobbs majority Originalists
23:34 BERKOWITZ: So the majority on the court, and this was a, was a split decision on some things, it was 5-4, some 6-3. Something like that?
BURKE: Right.
BERKOWITZ: Is there a concurring opinions but certainly the majority whether it’s 5-4 or 6-3 those folks, those justices, who basically decided as you’ve just stated, they’re what people often call Originalists - Textualists - would that be correct?
BURKE: That’s correct. It actually would have been - the - it would have been 5-4 on the way I described it, because Justice Roberts wrote a separate opinion. It didn’t really go along with that analysis.
BERKOWITZ: He would have decided without overturning Roe, but basically saying the state the Mississippi statute before them was constitutional.
BURKE: Right.
BERKOWITZ: But he would have gone further
BURKE: Under Casey, yeah.
BERKOWITZ: Okay. - but there was 5-4- really faced- really, it seems, did what you said. They were originalists. They went through that history. They went through what the wording said, this is what these prior decisions had decided. This is our precedent. Not Roe. And you’re an Originalist, right?
BURKE: Well, I am. I mean, that’s the way I view the constitution. That’s the way I view statutes.
Burke stating abortion is not an enumerated right
27:05 BURKE: You know, if you look at the issue of abortion - again because it’s not an enumerated right in any constitution, whether the US, or the state constitution. It’s not an enumerated right.
* Since both sides only gave snippets of Burke’s “enumerated right” comment, let’s look at the whole thing…
Q: If you had a case before you dealing with abortion issues, would you start with the U.S. Constitution, would you start with the Illinois Constitution, where would you start as you began to think about that?
Burke: Well, you would probably start with the statute and then look at the statute and then again, a lot of it is is determined by the path that you’re led down by the lawyers to some degree. You have to listen to their arguments and read their briefs and the cases that they’re citing. You know, if you look at the issue of abortion - again because it’s not an enumerated right in any constitution, whether the US, or the state constitution. It’s not an enumerated right.
I don’t know where you would go other than to say that, again, Dodds says now send it back to the legislatures and then we have to look at the legislature’s enactment to determine whether it’s otherwise valid, but remember that the US Supreme Court didn’t say abortion was illegal. It’s sent back for regulation by the states. So, that’s kind of a tricky question as to where do you start, what Constitution? Because, really, Dodds is the ultimate arbiter of what the 14th Amendment says. And they said, ‘This is a state issue. Let the state legislatures decide it.’
Q: So you start certainly with, well, you certainly take a look at the Illinois statute, if that’s being litigated then…
Burke: Right
Q: …which talks about, you refer to it, I guess, as being signed in what 2020? The Illinois statute that made abortion a fundamental right…
Burke: 2019
Q: 2019, Okay. You certainly are going to look at that because that’s the law in Illinois.
Burke: Sure.
Q: You might want to look at the US Constitution…
Burke: Right.
Q: …and remind yourself with the 14th Amendment says.
Burke: Right.
Q: You might want to look at the Dobbs decision, because that’s, that’s your guide, right?
Burke: Right.
Q: They said a few things other than just sending it back. They gave you the history that you talked about right?
Right.
Q: So those are the things you’d be, anything else that I’ve…
Burke: No. But again, it’s put it back in the legislature’s lap, not necessarily the court’s. And will we be called upon to review legislation at some point in time? Possibly.
* The MKO campaign also sent this, which I believe I’ve posted before…
Thoughts?
[I briefly took this post down because I’d made a mistake in the transcript.]
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 1:43 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Well if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…
Comment by checked out Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 1:51 pm
LOL. Can’t help but laugh at politicians who smear a candidate while complaining that they’re running a smear campaign.
The bottom line is that if you’re concerned about a women’s right to choose, voting for a MAGA GOP justice is not a wise decision.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 1:58 pm
The term “Pro-Life” is misleading in of itself. If abortion is not an enumerated right then neither is inter-racial marriage (Loving) purchasing contraceptives (Griswold). If Burke is a neutral arbiter what is he doing at a “Right to Life” club meeting?
Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:02 pm
justice O’Brien sits on the Appellate Court.
Her title is “Appellate Justice” or “Justice,” not “Judge.”
The sexism runs so deep with these hacks that they just cannot help themselves, and have to insult women every chance they get.
As for Justice Burke, he expressed an opinion on Roe and abortion when he attended the Right to Life dinner five months ago. End of story.
O’Brien’s hit is 100% on target.
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:12 pm
There is a lot of nuance here, and I could spend awhile on both parts of the argument.
But this upcoming election isn’t an example in a textbook. The real-world situation we live in today is that we just recently experienced a large number of Supreme Court Justices blatantly lie about their approach to these legal issues and their stance on rulings and court procedure during their confirmation process.
What Burke and the ILGOP says is irrelevant now. Even if he came out and clearly said he supported Roe as established law, why should anyone believe him after the events of this year?
Maybe he is qualified, and maybe the ad is misleading. I’m just not going to vote for him.
But to the bigger picture of this post; the ILGOP is just going to use this as another way to claim victimhood when the ads aren’t pulled at their demand. “See, Pritzker controls the media in Illinois and they are at his beck and call. He controls what you can and can not see.” - That’s the larger goal of the ILGOP I see here in this tiny maneuver.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:27 pm
I saw the commercial this morning. It is inaccurate and misleading. The response by the ILGOP is just as inaccurate and misleading, as is the statement by Justice O’Brien’s campaign.
Both justices are well-qualified to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. As an attorney for over 40 years, I have confidence that both candidates will be fine Supreme Court justices.
I usually respect Norseman’s comments. They are generally thoughtful. His characterization of Justice Burke as a “MAGA GOP justice” is just wrong in the same way that the blather invoking “Madigan” from the Republicans is wrong.
Comment by Facts Matter Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:27 pm
Republicans haven’t got any money and are trying to shame the Dems into not spending money, either. But this critique misses completely and only calls attention to statements and actions that disprove the Republicans claims. F.
Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:31 pm
–O’Brien’s hit is 100% on target.–
Agreed.
Comment by King Louis XVI Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:34 pm
Oh ok “It’s settled law.” That sure gives us comfort /s
Comment by Walker Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:48 pm
Yep, quack, quack, quack. How dare he.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:55 pm
“What are you gonna believe? The IL-GOP claim that Justice Burke supports judicial independence and has not expressed any opinion on that issue or your own lyin’ eyes???”
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:32 pm
Facts Matter, I appreciate your comment. I use that term, because it differentiates today’s Trump led party from the GOP I belonged to. Trump’s iteration under the MAGA mantra uses lies, phony conspiracy theories, violent rhetoric, bigotry and anti-democratic practices to achieve and maintain power.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:34 pm
==Q: “If you don’t legislate, what do you do?”==
Seriously?
Comment by Politix Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:36 pm
Burke is supported by MAGA right-wing donors, anti-choice organizations, anti-choice leaders, refers to himself as an “originalist” and then wants us to believe he has no opinion on abortion. Really? Just like Kavanaugh & AC Barrett told the world Roe was “settled law” during their nomination hearings. Burke apparently believes we’re stupid enough to buy this.
Comment by Cosgrove Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:49 pm
Where to begin?
No one getting smeared so Burkester and GOPies should lie down. It safe to assume that unless Burke promises not to replace IL law with a ban, he cannot be trusted on the SC — never forget John Roberts said ROE was “settled law”
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 4:37 pm
How can she get away with alleging Burke said something he never said?
It is a blatant lie and she should he held responsible for it.
Comment by Goodness Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 4:38 pm
The idea that elected judges shouldn’t weigh in on major legal issues during a campaign is asinine. If you are going to insist that elected judges have the final say on policy issues like how to interpret certain clauses of the IL constitution or statutes, then voters absolutely need to know what candidates think.
It isn’t an “ethics” issue. It is a “functioning democracy” issue.
Comment by Homebody Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 4:49 pm
==How can she get away with alleging Burke said something he never said?==
==ILGOP: Justice Burke supports judicial independence and has not expressed any opinion on that issue or any issue that may come before the Illinois Supreme Court==
If that’s the case, how is it that so many “right to life” organizations support him? These folks don’t base their support on a guess. He may not say “I do not support a woman’s right to choose,” but he’s very good at signalling what his position is. It’s a game.
==The idea that elected judges shouldn’t weigh in on major legal issues during a campaign is asinine. If you are going to insist that elected judges have the final say on policy issues like how to interpret certain clauses of the IL constitution or statutes, then voters absolutely need to know what candidates think.==
Agree 100% The whole game thing “don’t say it” but it’s OK to show it is just plain silly.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 5:05 pm
@Facts Matter: What was “inaccurate” or “misleading” about O’Brien’s ad or statement? You think based on what he said that Burke believes there is a right to privacy? Or that if the Congress enacted a national abortion ban that Burke would rule that, under Dobbs, state legislatures have jurisdiction?
When people tell you who they are, you should believe them.
What I hear you saying is that as a lawyer for four decades, abortion is not your #1 issue in a judge. That’s cool man, vote your ballot accordingly. But people for whom it is a top issue are entitled to draw conclusions based on the evidence presented by O’Brien, Burke, and everyone else.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 5:50 pm
This Ad is done by an IE - not her campaign.
Comment by Robin Friday, Sep 30, 22 @ 12:31 pm