21.   It also would limit the use of expert witnesses, limit contributions to judicial candidates to prevent conflicts of interest, and limit contingency fees to trial lawyers.

22.   It was a last-minute bid and, at best, a long shot because Liberal judicial candidates are routinely trounced by the Democrats in New York City.

23.   Judicial candidates usually go to lawyers or groups directly interested in the courts system for the money.

24.   Justice Anthony M. Kennedy suggested that unrestrained speech by judicial candidates could be a useful guide for voters.

25.   Judicial candidates are already required to follow existing ethics rules that prohibit such tactics.

26.   Many political leaders say a judicial candidate without a Democratic endorsement rarely comes close to winning.

27.   McKeown supporters respond that it is tradition for judicial candidates to introduce themselves to senators after they have been nominated.

28.   Meanwhile, if you listen to judicial candidates at all you will hear some bemoan the fact that good judges lose elections simply because of party affiliation.

29.   Mayor Edward Koch voluntarily relinquished enormous patronage power when he created an independent panel to review judicial candidates.

30.   Moreover, judges and judicial candidates are restrained by canons of ethics from commenting on any matters before a court or issues that might get there.