Expert: Deborah - 6/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I just wondered what you thought of President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court? I am a bit concerned about her. I can't find any information about her own personal views on abortion, and the two judgments she has made on this issue have been in favor of the anti abortion position.

I can not see Barack Obama electing someone to the Supreme Court who is not pro-choice. I mean, it is clear that he does support a woman's right to choose and he DID run on a pro choice platform. It is because of progressives including pro choice groups that he is in the White House! I hope that he won't let us down. If she were to side with the conservatives on the court when a legal challenge to Roe came up, that would be the end of Roe.

The thought of being forced to be pregnant against my will just horrifies me. I don't ever want to see that happen. Thanks.

Lisa

ANSWER: Dear Lisa,

I absolutely agree with everything you have just said.  Unfortunately I cannot properly answer your question because I have not read the two decisions that slant towards the anti-choice side.

Could you please send me a link so I can read them?  Then I will gladly give you my opinion.

Thanks,

Deb

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Deb. Check out this article:

http://blogs.wsj.com/capitaljournal/2009/05/26/is-sotomayor-an-abortion-centrist

I would love to hear your opinion. Thanks.

Lisa

Answer
Dear Lisa,

I do see where there is cause for concern.  My concern is not from the cases where she ruled for the anti-choice side, because of this:

"Her reasons had nothing to do with abortion –- instead relating to matters of constitutional law and criminal procedure -– but at a minimum, it showed that whatever her abortion views, it didn’t produce some powerful inclination against the pro-life position"

I thought her rulings were fair because she was guided by the Constitution.  However, my concern is because we have no idea about her views on Roe v. Wade.  

I agree that it is almost inconceivable that Obama would appoint an anti-choice judge, but I am still concerned.

It is probably smart that her views on Roe are hidden now so that she can get confirmed.  We really do have to trust Obama.  Hopefully soon we will see her answer questions from Congress, and from that we will be able to determine her views more clearly.

Thanks for calling all of this to my attention,

Deb