Open Thread: Should Gay Judge Have Recused Himself in California Prop 8 Case?

June 13th, 2011 10:34 AM

For general discussion and debate about politics, the economy, sports, and whatever else tickles your fancy.

Possible talking point: Should a gay judge have recused himself in California's Proposition 8 case?

A retired federal judge's long-term relationship with another man will be the subject of an unusual and possibly unprecedented court hearing Monday involving California's same-sex marriage ban.

Lawyers for the sponsors of the voter-approved ban are asking the chief federal judge in San Francisco to vacate the decision issued by his predecessor last year that declared Proposition 8 an unconstitutional violation of gay Californians' civil rights. They maintain that former Chief Judge Vaughn Walker should have recused himself or disclosed his relationship status before trial because he and his partner stood to personally benefit from Walker's verdict.

Thoughts?