GOP brass visits Pitt

A justice in the Pennsylvania Superior Court believes that people should get excited about… A justice in the Pennsylvania Superior Court believes that people should get excited about judicial elections. ‘I always refer to the judicial elections as the least sexy of the elections,’ said Justice Joan Orie Melvin, citing the public perception of the judicial branch as unimportant in matters of policy. Melvin and her sister, Jane Orie, the Pennsylvania Senate majority whip, campaigned as well as discussed their careers in politics and the judiciary at an event sponsored by the College Republicans in Alumni Hall on Thursday evening. ‘ ‘ Referring to a legal philosophy that emphasizes applying the law directly to a specific case, Melvin called herself ‘a strict constructionist.’ Constructionist theory is in opposition to what is considered to be more liberal philosophy of judicial activism, which offers a loose interpretation of legal documents such as the Constitution. ‘With just a stroke of the pen, they will undo all of the reform the Republicans in Congress have suggested,’ said Melvin of judicial activists. Orie emphasized the values of Republicanism. ‘Less government, less taxes and more personal freedoms ‘mdash; these are the principles of the Republican Party, and these should remain the principles of the Republican Party,’ said Orie. Orie cited the movement of the party away from these principles as the primary reason that the Republicans have been losing local elections in the recent years. In spite of this fact, Orie was quick to note that the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans gained a seat in the most recent election. ‘The Republicans have not been defeated,’ she said. Both Melvin and Orie emphasized the importance of staying active and involved in the political process, even at a young age. ‘There have been more legislators elected in the past two years who are right out of college than ever before,’ said Orie. ‘There is a very strong appetite by the public for fresh blood in Congress.’ Orie outlined her policy objectives for the current term, citing ethics reform as one of her primary objectives. ‘I truly believe we’re at a tremendous crossroads in this state to see reform in accountability in Congress,’ she said. Orie also spent time discussing the redistricting that will soon occur across the state, which will bring change to the districts where citizens cast their ballots. ‘There is no greater individual than [Gov. Ed Rendell] who wants to see the Republicans ousted from the House, ousted from the Senate,’ said Orie. Melvin has had a colored experience in the Pennsylvania judiciary. Beginning her career as the first female Republican magistrate for the City of Pittsburgh, she left the position to serve on the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas until she was elected to the Pennsylvania Superior Court in 1997. Both Melvin and Orie attended law school at Duquesne University and were born and raised in Pittsburgh. Zack Bombatch, president of the College Republicans, was excited about Orie and Melvin’s speaking engagement. ‘We were just looking for speakers to inspire the Republicans,’ he said. Bombatch expressed disappointment at the small crowd, though he felt as though the members of the College Republicans who were present found the experience rewarding. ‘I feel like this event has really energized the core members of our group,’ said Bombatch.