They have an unsolvable conflict of interest. It is impossible for them to cure the conflict. If they attempt to do so, they will put an indelible stain on the courts that will cause great damage. Judge Del Vecchio - The Chief Justice of the Superior Court, Suzanne DelVecchio, is publicly on record in favor of homosexual marriage. And here we are in Massachusetts.
Nothing is easy.
Justice Margaret Marshall - The Chief Justice of the SJC, Margaret Marshall gives money from the state and federal governments each year to different organizations who help the poor. It is a very subjective decision. When she gives money, she is giving her imprimatur to every organization which receives such money from her. She is telling the world and the judges beneath her that that organization represents the poor and the downtrodden. Every judge in the state is aware of the organizations which receive this benefit from their Chief.