August 13, 2004: Headlines: COS - Fiji: Politics: Election2004 - Younkin: Great Falls Tribune: A win by Fiji RPCV Cindy Younkin could create a new majority on the seven-member high court, which has the potential to rule on everything from abortion to criminals' rights to business contract

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Fiji: Peace Corps Fiji : The Peace Corps in Fiji: August 13, 2004: Headlines: COS - Fiji: Politics: Election2004 - Younkin: Great Falls Tribune: A win by Fiji RPCV Cindy Younkin could create a new majority on the seven-member high court, which has the potential to rule on everything from abortion to criminals' rights to business contract

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-239-147.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.239.147) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 9:31 pm: Edit Post

A win by Fiji RPCV Cindy Younkin could create a new majority on the seven-member high court, which has the potential to rule on everything from abortion to criminals' rights to business contract

A  win by Fiji RPCV Cindy Younkin could create a new majority on the seven-member high court, which has the potential to rule on everything from abortion to criminals' rights to business contract

A win by Fiji RPCV Cindy Younkin could create a new majority on the seven-member high court, which has the potential to rule on everything from abortion to criminals' rights to business contract

Supreme Court in balance: Election may set direction of state's highest judiciary
ELECTION:

By MIKE DENNISON
Tribune Capitol Bureau

HELENA -- Supreme Court Justice Jim Nelson doesn't mince words when he talks about his election battle with challenger Cindy Younkin, a lawyer and state representative from Bozeman.

"I'm telling people it's one of the most important races for the Supreme Court in the last 20 years," said Nelson.

And, he might add, one of the hottest and most important races on the Montana ballot this year.

A Younkin win could create a new majority on the seven-member high court, which has the potential to rule on everything from abortion to criminals' rights to business contracts.

Younkin is seen by many as a conservative, while Nelson is drawing support from traditional liberal corners such as labor, environmentalists, trial attorneys and Democrats.

Nelson says he's the candidate who will protect the unique rights offered by Montana's constitution, including rights to individual privacy, open government and a clean and healthful environment -- no matter what controversy it may cause.

Younkin, a leading Republican in the state House the past two legislatures, is mounting an aggressive campaign.

She says the court that includes Nelson is too activist and "inconsistent," and that she'll be more respectful of past legal precedent.

"What I hear over and over again ... is that people just want to know what's expected to expect of them if they find themselves in court," she said. "For whatever reason, people feel that they are not being treated fairly by this Supreme Court."

The last time a sitting Supreme Court justice lost re-election was 1996 when Jim Regnier defeated Charles "Chip" Erdmann.

The eight-year term pays $83,550 a year.

Younkin showed her strength in the June 8 primary election, outpolling Nelson by 9,600 votes. The primary results are merely a straw poll, since both candidates advance to the general election.

Nonetheless, the count confirmed what most political observers already believe: This race will be competitive.

The race also may attract big spending by groups independent of the candidates.

While Younkin expects "trial lawyers" and their allies to spend on Nelson"s behalf, Nelson supporters suspect groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce could spend big bucks promoting Younkin.

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Originally published Friday, August 13, 2004





When this story was prepared, here was the front page of PCOL magazine:

This Month's Issue: August 2004 This Month's Issue: August 2004
Teresa Heinz Kerry celebrates the Peace Corps Volunteer as one of the best faces America has ever projected in a speech to the Democratic Convention. The National Review disagreed and said that Heinz's celebration of the PCV was "truly offensive." What's your opinion and who can come up with the funniest caption for our Current Events Funny?

Exclusive: Director Vasquez speaks out in an op-ed published exclusively on the web by Peace Corps Online saying the Dayton Daily News' portrayal of Peace Corps "doesn't jibe with facts."

In other news, the NPCA makes the case for improving governance and explains the challenges facing the organization, RPCV Bob Shaconis says Peace Corps has been a "sacred cow", RPCV Shaun McNally picks up support for his Aug 10 primary and has a plan to win in Connecticut, and the movie "Open Water" based on the negligent deaths of two RPCVs in Australia opens August 6. Op-ed's by RPCVs: Cops of the World is not a good goal and Peace Corps must emphasize community development.


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Story Source: Great Falls Tribune

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Fiji; Politics; Election2004 - Younkin

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