SCOTUS: B² Decision Questions

Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear four highly anticipated arguments about same-sex marriage. A 30-60 day pause between the arguments and the decisions provides ample opportunity for hyper analysis.

For example, Reuters reported that the Supreme Court’s mind is already made up on gay marriage after it allowed gay marriage to proceed in Alabama in February.

In an effort to engage in the mental exercise, journalists often ask their sources and guests to predict the outcome. Alert! If you get into the prediction game, you risk losing your credibility.

Good thing it’s Tuesday, B² day.

Here’s the likely media question and the B² (block and bridge) that sets the narrative straight:

Q: “What do you think the Supreme Court will decide?”

B²: “It’s impossible to predict what the Supreme Court will decide, but what the Justices should do is <insert talking point>.”

Wherever you take the conversation, recognize that the Supreme Court’s decisions matter to many and are extremely complex. You should talk about your own opinion; that is why you were asked to comment. But don’t feel compelled to make an outcome call and risk losing your credibility.