Right or wrong, there's no question that party politics enters into government hiring decisions at all levels.

But government is broken when elected officials try to push unqualified people into crucial public service jobs just for the sake of party loyalty.

There's concern that such efforts might be taking place at Auburn City Hall regarding the corporation counsel office. This is one position that demands highly qualified people, people with experience in municipal and labor law.

Above the surface, the debate has focused on the issue of whether the city is better served by a full-time city attorney, as had been the case until the end of 2006, when former corporation counsel Thomas Leone won election as county court judge.

After the Democratic majority that year deplorably revoked the authority of the interim city manager at the time to hire the person he felt was best qualified for the job, all sides arrived at a reasonable compromise when a team of part-time, local attorneys was hired.

Current City Manager Mark Palesh, the man council hired to make decisions on how the city should be run, has said the current arrangement is working well. At least three Democratic members of council - Gilda Brower, Thomas McNabb and William Graney - think the system under Leone was a better choice.

We see the merits of their argument on the structure of the office. Having a legal professional always available during business hours makes sense.

In the end, though, the council does not have the power to make that hiring decision. It's Palesh's call, and he should be unencumbered to make it. Any attempts to bully him into making a choice that makes him uncomfortable are reprehensible.

We worry that what Republican Matt Smith says is true. He claims the Democrats are trying to push a fellow Democrat into the seat for purely political reasons.

If they somehow succeed, it will be a giant step backward for this city.