SUPREME COURT NOMINEE CALLED "BONE HONEST"

Just before our critical vote on oil taxes, I was invited to Governor Palin’s office for a press conference for her announcement of her Alaska Supreme Court Justice nominee, to replace Justice Alexander Bryner who is retiring. This was the first historic event of the day, the second being the historic vote on HB2001.

Governor Palin nominated Fairbanks attorney Daniel Winfree to our Supreme Court. He is also Palin's first appointment to the five-member court. Winfree will be the 19th justice appointed to Alaska’s Supreme Court.

In her nominating statement, Governor Palin wrote, "In his life and legal career, Daniel Winfree has demonstrated an impressive intellect, a generous heart and a profound respect for the legal system and Constitution,” Winfree told the press people, “The goal of every Supreme Court justice is not to legislate but to interpret the law, and I plan to follow that as well as I can." That sounds good to me.

My friend and legislative colleague Rep. Mike Kelly who knows Alexander Winfree, and has worked with him, described Winfree as "bone-honest."

My photo (I almost always carry a pocket camera) shows the nominee and Mrs. Winfree, with Governor Palin, answering questions from AP reporter Steve Quinn, and vieeo being taken by Anchorage Channel 11.