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Gay Marriage Is New GOP Litmus Test for Supremes

Same-sex unions replace abortion debate as heated issue

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 17, 2009 6:21 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Abortion has long been the hot-button issue at Supreme Court confirmations—but this year, gay marriage is taking over, conservatives say.  Senate Republicans believe that questioning over the matter could be the new litmus test to help reveal a candidate's overall philosophy, reports the Washington Post. “It may reflect the degree to which they think that they're not bound by the classical meaning of the Constitution” and whether “a personal agenda” will take precedence, said a key senator.

In the past 30 years, the abortion debate has been the centerpiece of questioning at confirmation hearings. Now, the conversation is shifting as conservatives try to prevent a ruling like Roe v. Wade in the future. “I don't think members of the court, or any of us, ever want to see a decision like that again,” said a GOP senator.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky about the upcoming Supreme Court appointments.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky about the upcoming Supreme Court appointments.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
President Obama is considering California Supreme Court Associate Justice Carlos R. Moreno and more than five other people as nominees for the Supreme Court, according to a source.
President Obama is considering California Supreme Court Associate Justice Carlos R. Moreno and more than five other people as nominees for the Supreme Court, according to a source.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, pool)
Sen. Jeff Sessions, ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talk to reporters outside the White House earlier this week.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talk to reporters outside the White House earlier this week.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
Mad
May 17, 2009 12:26 PM CDT
PLEASE, let this be your last comment on your ranking, otherwise, Newser should add an ignore feature so I can skip reading your OT silliness
kokuaguy
May 17, 2009 11:53 AM CDT
At 1:30 a.m. Hawaii time I'm number one on Newser with 1200 points. I assume my points will have fallen off enough by the time that jemikeos gets started again in Chicago that he will soon knock me back down to Number 2. Whatever- it was fun to be on top for awhile. ;^)
Derni
May 17, 2009 10:41 AM CDT
leave it to the GOP gays and bi's in the closet to use this one-and ask them about the sexual use of interns in WA while you're at it-maybe they rate the candidates by the following: Did you pay your taxes? Are your taxes done correctly? How much do you make? And do you support Sarah and Russ?

Conservative spoiling for a fight
New York Times

Politics • Health • US

 
gay rights • abortion • gay marriage • Senate • abortion rights • justice • debate • US Supreme Court

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