WASHINGTON, DC – It's interesting that this eve of the same sex marriage arguments before the Supreme Court would come on a big sports night — the Wings with a chance to close out the series against Tampa and here in Washington, a game 7 between the Capitals and the Islanders.
In DC, the spectator sports are often played in conference rooms, courtrooms and legislative chambers. There is a buzz in the capitol tonight that I would liken to the crackle we feel before a big sporting event in Detroit.
Recommended Videos
And just like athletes who are counted on to produce at crunch time, I find myself wondering if the lead attorneys will get any sleep tonight.
Right now, there's a line of sleeping bags and lawn chairs on the front walk of the nation's highest court. People started camping out Friday for the few coveted public seats in the courtroom. That includes Frank Colasanti and James Ryder of Oakland County who were among those who managed to marry in the very short window during which gay marriage was momentarily allowed in Michigan.
I chatted with them today at a pep rally of sorts for Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer who are, of course, the lead plaintiffs in tomorrow's case. But you can tell Colasanti and Ryder feel just as powerfully connected to the decision that's expected to be rendered two months hence. And they couldn't imagine not being in the courtroom as the case is heard. They were giddy — and yet nervous at the same time, just as Rowse and DeBoer are. They can barely believe the moment is here.
I also talked with Robert Sedler, the Constitutional Law professor at Wayne State who has been a guest of mine on Flashpoint a number of times over the years. This is a guy who has forgotten more about the Supreme Court than I'll ever know. He's parsed and debated their cases and decisions for decades and yet he, too, allows that there is a little electricity in the air tonight.
And frankly, for me, too. I've covered quite a few DC stories over the years at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. But for the first time, I've got a seat in the Supreme Court.
I've long believed that while the legislative and executive branches steal most of the sunshine, it's the judiciary that reaches its roots most deeply into the way we live our American lives.
Tomorrow, it may be that a new root takes hold, one that brings about a change that many would have thought unthinkable a mere 20 years ago. OR — the court will side with the right for the states to decide for themselves what their piece of American life should look like. Either way, it's extraordinary, it's deeply American, and it's a few hours away.
I only wish it was more like The Voice and we would get immediate feedback from the judges. No, in this case, we'll have to wait until late June to see which way the timeworn scales of justice tilt.