Gavel Grab

In the final days of the Supreme Court’s term, a wave of commentaries and analysis has focused on the nine justices. The high level of attention came amid what a New York Times article described as high drama surrounding a ruling on the new federal health care law:

“The impending health care ruling by the Supreme Court has become this city’s O. J. Simpson verdict crossed with a papal conclave — polarizing, maddeningly unpredictable and shrouded in mysterious signaling.”

Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, had a provocative opinion piece in the Washington Post. It was entitled, “The fate of health care shouldn’t come down to 9 justices. Try 19.”

In The Atlantic, James Fallows wrote about the Roberts court, “La Loi, C’est Moi.” Striking an easier tone was Stephen L. Carter, a law professor at Yale, in a Bloomberg News commentary, “Can Everyone Please Lighten Up About the Supreme Court?”

Recapping the court’s record up until Monday, a Washington Post article was headlined, “For Obama, Supreme Court health-care, immigration rulings to close a tough term.” A Wall Street Journal report declared, “Supreme Court Saves Best for Last.