The Full Read · Article by Article
Robert Michael Dow Jr.
Northern District of Illinois · appt. Bush
7/7
🥇 Fit for the Bench
1Ethics & Recusalcritical
73%★ earned
“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause.” — Madison, Federalist No. 10
No documented disclosure, gift, conflict, or recusal problems; selected as counselor to Chief Justice Roberts, a role reflecting institutional trust.
2Fidelity to Democracycritical
74%★ earned
“…a government of laws, and not of men.” — Marshall, Marbury v. Madison
No documented defiance of higher courts or election misconduct; long, routine service since 2007 plus Supreme Court staff role.
3Judicial Temperament
72%★ earned
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice.” — Frankfurter
No documented reports of intemperate conduct; regarded for handling complex commercial and multidistrict litigation.
4Reason, Not Ideology
72%★ earned
“We are not final because we are infallible…” — Robert H. Jackson
No documented pattern of ideology overriding reasoned analysis; record does not support a lower score.
5Intellectual Honesty & Precedent
72%★ earned
“…to stand by things decided.” (stare decisis) — the common-law maxim
No documented instances of misstating precedent; scored neutral.
6Independence from Party
71%★ earned
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential.” — Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
No documented evidence of party-driven rulings; independence assumed absent contrary record.
7Personal Integrity
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented corruption, criminal, or personal-scandal matters; clean record.
Challenge this review
This review is offered freely and openly to correction. A challenge is considered only when it states a specific reason and links to sources that substantiate it — an assertion without evidence is not reviewed.
Are you Robert Michael Dow Jr.? An official named in a review may answer it by phone rather than in writing. Confirm it's you and we'll arrange a call.
Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Ethics & Recusal or Fidelity to Democracy and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →