On January 9, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in the Indiana government picture photo-ID case for voters who want to vote at the polls. Here is an eye-witness description of the argument by Professor Ned Foley. UPDATE: Here is the transcript.

It seems somewhat likely that the eventual opinion will say that this case should be brought as an “as-allied” case in the future, on behalf of a particular voter who has been injured. The current case argues that the Indiana law is unconstitutional on its face. The analogy would be to the fairly recent decisions on the McCain-Feingold law and its provisions on TV and radio advertising. First the court upheld the law on its face, but then in a later case, struck down part of that law.

On January 2, John Edwards responded to the “Rock the Debates” question. Larry Reinsch asked Edwards if he would agree to an inclusive general election presidential debate if he were the Democratic nominee. “Inclusive presidential debate” means that everyone who was on the ballot in states containing a majority of electoral votes would be invited. In all U.S. history, there has never been an election with more than 7 such candidates (including the major party candidates).

Edwards said, “No. Because I think that it depends on first of all, it depends on how serious a candidate they are. I don’t know if you’re aware of this…there are hundreds of people running for President right now.”

Larry Reinsch said, “Only five. Only five on the ballot usually.”

Edwards then said, “But, let me finish responding. I think the problem is this. This has nothing to do with excluding people, it has to do with a very practical issue. You remember Ross Perot participated in the debates when he was an Independent candidate for President. I think as long as you have a legitimate chance, yes. But what you can’t do is flood the state with 15 or 20 people…I’d like to see the debates expanded, and candidates who are not Democrats or Republicans, if they are strong and viable, and they actually have some chance, yeah, I’d be open to that possibility. I’m not open to the possibility of bringing 15 or 20 people up to the stage, because I think it dilutes the substance of the discussion.”

Reinsch then again said, “It would only be five.”

The exchange appears to show that Edwards didn’t listen to Reinsch’s point. For a list of all the presidential candidates who were on the ballot in states containing a majority of electoral votes, see the chart in the printed July 1, 2007 Ballot Access News. Once more, congratulations to Larry Reinsch, an Iowa resident who has asked “the question” to most of the leading major party presidential candidates this year. To see the earlier responses of other major party presidential candidates, see www.rockthedebates.org. Edwards’ response isn’t posted yet, but it will be soon.

McCain 37%, Romney 32%, Huckabee 11%, Giuliani 9%, Paul 8%, Thompson 1%, Hunter 0%, others 2%.