Some Supreme Court decisions make a huge election-year splashes . 1856 : The companion cases first came to the court in 1970 , and arguments were scheduled for 1971 , then postponed until spring 1972 , then reargued October 1972 , a month before the presidential elections . Dred Scott ruling barring blacks from citizenship called court 's darkest moment . 1972 : Two huge cases on capital punishment and abortion rock the nation . 2000 : So who 's your president -- Bush or Gore ? Comment:
Some Supreme Court decisions make a huge election-year splashes . 1856 : Dred Scott ruling barring blacks from citizenship called court 's darkest moment . 1972 : Two huge cases on capital punishment and abortion rock the nation . 2000 : So who 's your president -- Bush or Gore ? Comment: