WASHINGTON D.C. (WKZO)– Supreme Court watchers say Justice Anthony Kennedy is usually the swing vote between the liberals and conservatives on the high court, but he was giving conflicting signals during yesterday’s hearing on same sex marriage.
At one point he seemed to defend traditional marriage. At another point, he scolded John Bursch, the Attorney for Michigan who said traditional couples make better parents.
Other analysts said his seeming disinterest in the second question, whether all states must recognize legal same sex marriages from other states, suggests he plans to vote to legalize, making the 2nd issue moot.
How the Supreme Court might rule on Same Sex Marriage is all speculation at this point.
WMU Cooley Law Professor Emeritus Emily Horvath says that doesn’t stop scholars, legal nerds and those who have something at stake in the issue from trying to guess how it will turn out.
She says the oral arguments are only a small part of the process, and if you look at the extended record of decisions and public opinion and history, she thinks the chances are good that America’s LGBT community is going to be happy with their decision.
Inside it was the Supreme Court that was the focus of all the arguments.
Outside on the steps, after the hearing, the lawyers and advocates were playing to the court of public opinion.
Michigan’s April Deboer telling reporters that it was time to right a wrong.
Attorney John Bursch, who argued Michigan’s case inside, argued outside that there is a right way and a wrong way to do it.
He says if Michigan’s LBTG community wants the right to marry then they should reverse the state ban, as some other states have done.
Public Opinion on same sex marriage has been the driving force behind getting the case to the Supreme Court, whether the justices supply the solution or not.
