Harry Blackmun Quotes on Privacy (2 Quotes)

For the justices, Roe reflected earlier cases involving the right to privacy. That right, ... broad enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.

It was the issue of abortion that catapulted Blackmun to national prominence. When the case, Roe v. Wade, appeared at the Supreme Court, only seven justices were involved in the original oral arguments. For this reason, the case was later re-argued and as the justices met in conference, Blackmun was assigned to write the opinion for the majority. As has already been documented, Blackmun and his colleagues were determined to find ... I may have to push myself a bit, but I would not be offended by the extension of privacy concepts to the point presented in the present case . . . I think I could go along with any reasonable interpretation of the problem in principles of privacy.