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'Sweeping ruling' on gay rights looking doubtful

Pete Williams of NBC News reported from outside the Supreme Court late Tuesday morning on the oral arguments in the Proposition 8 case.

Pete Williams of NBC News reported from outside the Supreme Court late Tuesday morning on the oral arguments in the Proposition 8 case. And those hoping that the court might issue a ruling that asserts a national right to gay marriage are likely to be disappointed, Williams said.

The justices are “not prepared to issue any kind of sweeping ruling about gay rights,” Williams told msnbc’s Thomas Roberts. And, he said, they’re “worried about writing a decision applying to other states.”

The best that gay marriage advocates can hope for, Williams added, appears to be a ruling finding that the plaintiffs had no standing to bring the case. That would essentially punt the issue into the future, and set the stage for a political and legislative battle in states across the country.