Supreme Court overturns ban on animal cruelty in videos, citing First Amendment

President Obama was on Capitol Hill today talking to Senate leaders from both parties about the process to replace Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who recently announced his retirement.

When asked whether he would ever nominate a candidate who opposed abortion rights, Obama said he would say the same thing as every president that’s ever been asked this question.

“I don’t have litmus tests around any of these issues, but I will say that I want somebody who interprets the constitution in a way that takes into account individual rights and that includes women’s rights.”

Republicans are threatening to filibuster any nominee they view as “activist.” But some legal scholars say the current, conservative court could be the most activist in recent memory. The administration wants to nominate a candidate by the end of May and get the new justice seated and staffed by the next session.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that it is legal to make videos showing cruelty to animals striking down a law they saw is too broad. Though some animal rights advocates are disappointed, first amendment scholars say the Court got it right. Tanya Snyder reports.