With four out of seven Supreme Court seats set to open over the next year, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist should have the opportunity to reshape Florida’s highest court for a decade or more. But in Florida ­ as in other states with “merit selection” ­ the real power over who makes it to the bench resides not with the elected governor, or with the people of Florida, but with the unelected members of the state’s nine-member judicial nominating commission.

Yesterday, Gov. Crist appointed three new commissioners. Our sources in Florida tell us the new commissioners are solid. The question now is whether the nominating commission will give Gov. Crist rule of law choices who will leave the legislating to the legislature.