America Wants Supreme Court TV for Health Case
Nearly three-quarters of the nation believes that the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court review of President Barack Obama’s healthcare law should be televised, although the High Court has by tradition, never let television cameras into the court room.
The poll showed agreement across political parties, with marginal differences between groups. Republicans showed the strongest support, with 77 percent wanting a televised review. Seventy percent of Democrats showed support.
Americans who identified themselves as moderates were slightly less in favor of televising the review, with 66 percent in favor, lower than either conservatives at 78 percent and liberals at 75 percent.
Generally, Americans of all major age groups favored televising the case. However the support is lower among adults 55 and older, which Gallup suggests are most likely to be aware of the tradition and arguments against courtroom cameras than those who are younger than 55.
Gallup recently also polled Americans for their views on the healthcare law itself and found a national split of opinions. Forty-seven percent of Americans were in favor of repealing the healthcare law and 42 percent wanted it to be maintained.
In November, when the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in 2012, C-Span immediately asked the Supreme Court to break its long-standing ban on courtroom cameras.
The Court have only allowed still cameras to capture the five-and-a-half hours of scheduled testimony in the case. The Court permitted still cameras in certain cases.
If the Cameras in the Courtroom Act of 2011 passes, it will require that cameras be allowed to cover the case. Recently Congress held hearings on the matter, and leaders from both parties have voiced support for televised proceedings.