Word of the Day: Borked

Posted on November 10, 2004

With the illness of Supreme Court justice William Rehnquist, Washington is gearing up for a big confirmation fight over the next Supreme Court justice. The conservative Republicans want someone who will overturn Roe vs. Wade, outlaw stem cell research and allow more religious displays in government. Liberals have vowed to block any judge who will overturn Roe vs. Wade. The last big Supreme Court nomination fight was over Reagan nominee, Robert Bork, the ultra-conservative justice that was torpedoed by Senator Arlen Spector (R-PA). Women's groups rallied against the nominee and his record was torn apart by senators in the contentious -- some would say brutal -- hearings. Bork was not confirmed and Reagan had to send a more moderate candidate. But the term "borked" passed into the modern political lexicon. So, will President Bush's next nominee be borked? Only time will tell.