The Full Read · Article by Article
Stephen Rogers Bough
Western District of Missouri · appt. Obama
7/7
🥇 Fit for the Bench
1Ethics & Recusalcritical
71%★ earned
“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause.” — Madison, Federalist No. 10
In 2024 he disclosed campaign donations to his wife by lawyers in a case and polled both sides on recusal per ethics rules; no lapse found.
2Fidelity to Democracycritical
74%★ earned
“…a government of laws, and not of men.” — Marshall, Marbury v. Madison
No documented episodes of defying higher courts or election subversion; record is normal.
3Judicial Temperament
72%★ earned
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice.” — Frankfurter
No documented reprimands or temperament complaints in the public record.
4Reason, Not Ideology
72%★ earned
“We are not final because we are infallible…” — Robert H. Jackson
No documented pattern of ideology displacing reasoned analysis in the public record.
5Intellectual Honesty & Precedent
72%★ earned
“…to stand by things decided.” (stare decisis) — the common-law maxim
No documented instances bearing negatively on intellectual honesty; he publicly advocates rigorous disclosure practices.
6Independence from Party
70%★ earned
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential.” — Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
Former plaintiff's attorney; no documented conduct showing partisan dependence beyond the disclosed, properly-handled donation issue.
7Personal Integrity
74%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented criminal, civil, or corruption matters; the donation matter was disclosed and consented to by both parties.
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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 →