AP: Roe v. Wade almost overturned in 1992!

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29653-2004Mar4.html

Associated Pres
Thursday, March 4, 2004; 9:24 AM

WASHINGTON - As lawyers and court watchers have long suspected, the Supreme Court was ready to effectively overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion in 1992, but Justice Anthony M. Kennedy got cold feet, and the vote went the other way.

Internal notes in the papers of late Justice Harry A. Blackmun reveal the secretive dealings that led to the court's ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey that year.

Blackmun's extensive records from 24 years on the court would be open to the public March 4.

Details of the archives were first reported by NPR, which got advance access.

Blackmun's notes show that Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist led a five-justice majority to overrule Roe. Four other justices voting with Rehnquist were Byron White, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Kennedy. Rehnquist himself was to write the majority opinion.

Unbeknownst to him, Kennedy was having second thoughts, and agreed with Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and David Souter, to a compromise position.

more...

[Killarney]

1. If Bush is re-elected

and gets to appoint probably 2 SC justices after the 2 retire...

ROE V WADE WILL BE OVERTURNED.

This alone should be reason enough for all liberals to vote Democratic.

Unite!

[terryg11]

2. caught this on the radio this am

It was very compellling radio!! Kennedy, O'Connnor and Souter really saved the day there. They drew a line in the sand and didn't cross it.

[papau]

3. they were afraid decision would throw election to Clinton - hurt Bush so

the good folks stopped for the moment.

If Bush is elected in 04, abortion will be overturned in 180 days.

[Rowdyboy]

4. But...but...but...

there's no difference in Kerry and Bush, right? I've seen that line in several threads here already today. Just like there was no difference in Gore and Bush in 2000.

And some fools here will still vote 3rd party because of IWR/Skull&Bones/Patriot Act. They deserve the government they get. Unfortunately, the rest of us who have sense enough to vote Democratic pay for their third-party self-indulgence too.

[forgethell]

5. OK, maybe he did the right thing,

but isn't anyone bothered that decisions of this importance are decided by whether or not someone will be invited to parties??

Igoing to eat lunch, now, if I can.