The Risks Of A Broad Ruling On Gay Marriage

07:29

March 25, 2013

Anti-abortion activists march past the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, as they observe the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

The shadow of Roe v. Wade is hanging over the same-sex marriage arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court this week.

Even liberal U.S. Supreme Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg thinks the high court overreached when in its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

She and others think it polarized the country and the issue should have been allowed to work its way through state legislatures.

There are concerns that a broad ruling on gay marriage - one that applies to all 50 states - could spark similar backlash.

Others say Roe v. Wade was different from the same-sex marriage cases before the court this week. They say the issue has been fully debated and it's appropriate the court to rule.

Read Adam Liptak's obituary of Anthony Lewis
See also: Supreme Court Takes Up ‘Civil Rights Case Of Our Generation’

Guest:

Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times. He tweets @adamliptak.

This segment aired on March 25, 2013.