SCOTUS knowingly and purposely leaked the draft opinion to see how deep a shit the GQP

[Thomas Hurt]

would be in if they actually followed through with it. Really ugly fallout they could back off in the final opinion.

Thoughts anyone?

[SheilaAnn]

1. I don't doubt this for a second, testing the water IMO..n/t

[Rebl2]

10. That has

crossed my mind

[zipplewrath]

2. Cornering the conservatives

I think Alito or someone of that bent leaked it so that the conservatives would be loathed to make any significant changes softening the position.

[lapfog_1]

3. nope... runs the risk of them losing the midterms

and the 5 are ideologues. so there is no chance, no matter the reaction, that they are not sticking with this.

[Claustrum]

6. I mean, even without the leak, the decision should be handed out in June.

So it will be a midterm issue no matter what.

[uponit7771]

20. +1, Alito trollish ass isn't going to change his mind in 2 month cause majority Americans dont agree

[70sEraVet]

12. I agree. But I don't think they give a CRAP about the reaction!

They are gods, handing down their own 'commandments', and the unhappy peons just have to lump it.

[rurallib]

4. I don't think they will back off one iota

They have pursued this dream for too long.

They want this decision and they want to make it hurt, IMHO.

Who and why was it leaked? Maybe a clerk who was pissed off? Took whoever it was a couple months to do it.

[in2herbs]

5. I think Roberts leaked it hoping that the other rabid conservatives on the court would soften their

decision so that people and history won't remember the repeal of Roe as being done by the Roberts court.

I really get inflamed when I remember a post by someone (maybe not even on DU) that said the opportunity repealing Roe is occurring because three justices on the court were appointed by a twice-impeached president.

[Scrivener7]

7. I think you're right.

[Nevilledog]

8. Sounds right to me, with added twist.....

Big protests would take attention away from January 6th hearings

[NanceGreggs]

17. True enough.

Things are going to get really ugly for Republicans once the televised hearings get underway - and Roe v Wade is a VERY shiny object to distract the masses with.

[2naSalit]

18. +1

[bucolic_frolic]

9. No

I'm not seeing a great advantage of the early leak for either side or a clear reason for who leaked it. Democrats have a heads up. Republicans have their arguments out there and momentum. Because of the early leak political campaigns will be well informed about it earlier, which benefits Democrats I think. So it's a wash, and it really doesn't matter who leaked it. It's a matter of major public policy, not a law, and it's good it's been made public. Sunshine is always good.

[NanceGreggs]

11. That was my first thought ...

... that the 'leak' was a trial balloon to measure how bad the backlash against the GOP would be in the midterms and in 2024.

[GoodRaisin]

13. I had this thought as well.

Was this a trial balloon? Who benefits from the “leak”? Not sure though…

[TomSlick]

14. My theory, unencumbered by facts, is that the leak was by a conservative justice

to stiffen the spine of any wavering justices. Just because I believe nothing is beneath him, I suspect Thomas.

[spinbaby]

21. I suspect Ginni Thomas

He probably showed it to her when they were, you know, not discussing politics.

[griffi94]

26. This is Ms Griffi94's theory as well.

[C_U_L8R]

15. These are not reasonable people

They are on a mission to take away women's rights and they are so close, they are drooling. Perhaps they leaked it to moderate the response over time (and far away from election day). But they are definitely not backing off. And neither should we.

[Joinfortmill]

16. It's gonna be fight to the finish!

[Progressive dog]

19. Could be but

my guess is that Clarence showed Ginni and she couldn't keep her mouth shut.

[cornball 24]

22. Yup! Spot on!

[LiberalFighter]

23. It was suggested I think that the leak was intended to lock in the draft

so that majority don't budge.

[moondust]

24. But leak could hurt them in midterms.

Might make more sense to wait and see how the midterms go and if they win big then release a subsequent draft to inspire their voters ahead of 2024.

Gambling either way politically.

[BlueIdaho]

25. Knowing the average attention span is about 15 minutes

They are likely clearing the decks for the fall election.

[blueinredohio]

27. My thoughts as well.

If all that happens is people going on t.v. saying how mad they are but nothing is done they'll know they've got this in the bag. Then on to the next thing they can do to punish women.