As we noted before, many conservatives are crowing about the President’s choice of John Roberts to sit on the Supreme Court. Some of them even went so far as to say they’re “sure” Roberts wants to overturn Roe v. Wade.
At the same time, though, many are insisting that Senators shouldn’t ask Roberts what he thinks about Roe and abortion.
One refreshing exception is “Five Questions for Roberts,” an essay by Stuart Taylor Jr., in which he admits that “both liberals and conservatives understandably want to know John G. Roberts Jr.’s view of Roe v. Wade,” and suggests five questions that would get at the issue.
Why do so few conservatives follow Mr. Taylor’s example, and instead insist that the public shouldn’t know what a potential Supreme Court Justice thinks about this important issue?
It’s probably because they know the public supports Roe.
In the last week, two separate national polls have shown that a large majority of the American people want the Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that recognized a woman’s right to choose a legal abortion.
A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll conducted July 8-11 showed that 65% of Americans think Roe v. Wade should not be overturned.
USA Today reached a very similar result, finding that 68% of Americans don’t want Roe overturned. Only 29% of Americans want the Supreme Court to overturn the decision.
The American people clearly have strong views—favorable ones—on Roe v. Wade, and they are entitled to know what John Roberts’s views are before the Senate determines whether he should have a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court.
