Sue and tim are arguing about the value of appointing rather than electing federal judges. tim says they are appointed because they need to be independent. what does he mean? . judges do not depend on voter will to keep their jobs. if that were the case, then judges would make decisions based on popular will rather than interpretations of law.. judges receive their commissions from the president so they are independent in the sense that only the president needs to approve their decisions, not other officials..