A New Justice and a New Term for a Court in Transition
Host:
Produced by:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Justice Sonia Sotomayor began her first full term on the US Supreme Court today. Will the conservative majority come out swinging this year or sit back to avoid confrontations with Congress? Also, the Senate finally begins debating healthcare reform, and at massive taxpayer expense, the federal government is prepared to vaccinate every American against swine flu. But surveys show that half Americans may just say no, even for their children.
Banner image: Hudreds of citizens stand in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC today. Photo: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
Making News
Obama Gathers 150 Doctors in the Rose Garden ()
As the Senate finally gets down to debating healthcare reform, President Obama filled the White House Rose Garden today with 150 doctors from around the country, complete with white coats the President called "spiffy." David Lightman is national correspondent for the McClatchy Newspapers.
Guests:
- David Lightman: National Correspondent, McClatchy Newspapers, @LightmanDavid
Links:
Main Topic
A New Justice and a New Term for a Court in Transition ()
The US Supreme Court began its first full term today. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who's replacing retired Justice David Souter adds a new face to America's highest court, though it's not clear she'll make much of a difference on major decisions. Conservatives still dominate five to four, with Anthony Kennedy the bouncing ball on constitutional questions and precedents. If Chief Justice Roberts goes ideological, decisions on gun rights, religion, campaign spending and executive power could be legal blockbusters. Is he more likely to guide the court to "incremental" rulings less likely to be overridden while Congress is controlled by the Democrats?
Guests:
- Jess Bravin: Supreme Court Reporter, Wall Street Journal, @JessBravin
- Ed Whelan: President, Ethics and Public Policy Center
- Doug Kendall: Founding President, Constitutional Accountability Center, @MyConstitution
- Barry Friedman: Vice Dean, New York University Law School
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Swine Flu Vaccine Rollout Today ()
Billions of tax dollars have been paid to pharmaceutical giants, millions of doses of vaccine are on their way to huge warehouses and thousands of health workers are waiting. That's according to the Washington Post, which then asks, "will Americans line up" to be vaccinated for swine flu? It's the most ambitious inoculation campaign in American history, but polls show the public is "decidedly ambivalent." Rob Stein is national science reporter for the Washington Post.
Guests:
- Rob Stein: National Science Reporter, Washington Post
Links:
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
