Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Fables of the Strict Constructionist: The Question to Ask
Craig Crawford at the Huffington Post has the first question Senators should ask Mr. Roberts:

 
Does the Constitution recognize and protect an unenumerated right of privacy?
I'll never forget the stunned faces among senators and spectators on the day 15 years ago when Supreme Court nominee David Souter answered that question in the affirmative. It was the first answer of his Senate confirmation hearing, and it showed that he embraced the legal underpinning of Roe v. Wade's protection of abortion rights. Conservatives were furious, never forgiving President George H.W. Bush for naming Souter. Liberals were shocked, but pleased, and many quickly endorsed his nomination.

The more provocative version of this question, as noted by a commenter here, would be, "Does the Constitution protect a right of privacy that is not in the Constitution?" But the court has ruled that this "unenumerated" right exists, although a growing number of justices oppose it, which is why it is such a critical question for the next round of nominations.

It should be the first question put to President George W. Bush's nominee, John Roberts. If, like Souter, he says yes, then he's unlikely to provide the next vote needed to overturn Roe. If he says no, then abortion-rights activists probably should prepare to take their battle to the states and no longer expect the high court to stand in the way of state legislatures that would outlaw abortions.

And if Roberts refuses to answer the question, or dodges it in some clever way, he should not be confirmed. Anyone seeking to hold a swing vote on such a critical issue owes everyone -- conservatives and liberals -- an answer to that question.
 


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