That's what the mainstream news media calls the just released Supreme Court decision upholding a ban on the Partial Birth Abortion Act.
A few thoughts:
- For social conservatives, this justifies the Bush Presidency, no matter what else happens because it demonstrates the impact of the replacement of Sandra Day O'Connor with Samuel Alito.
- It shows that Anthony Kennedy is indeed the most powerful person in the U.S. and will be until there's another replacement on the court that alters its composition. Kennedy is the reason the EPA must regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant and partial birth abortion has been outlawed. I'd expect him to be the 5th vote on more decisions.
- The line between the liberals and conservatives seems to be hardening.
- This may also be a consequence of the reduction of the number of women on the court--down to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- Social conservatives will see opportunities to pass further limits on the abortion procedures, but...
- will have to be careful not to awaken moderates who favor access to abortion, but are not strong supporters of it. Remembers that Roe v. Wade was a rallying cry for the conservative movement. This could rally the other side.
Stay tuned.
