"Dress rehearsal" expected at Supreme Court

Washington, D.C. will be on alert on this Monday morning for a possible Supreme Court ruling on the Obama health law, even though most experts don't believe that decision will be handed down until next week.

My friends who work for the various television networks will all be in place on Monday morning - in other words, they will be "hot" - TV jargon for being all ready to go on the air live, just in case the Justices issue their ruling.

Last Monday, for example, most of the networks had their reporters ready to go on Capitol Hill, at the Supreme Court, at the White House, in Washington and New York - and that will get repeated today.

Usually, the Justices hold the most controversial decisions for the end of the term - which would be next week.

As of now, the Supreme Court only has two decision days left - this Monday and next Monday - but many people here expect another day will be added next week, with the smart money on Thursday June 28.

But that's only a guess.

Most likely, the case has already been decided by the Justices - but it is rare for that word to get out early.

"At the Supreme Court, those who know, don't talk," said Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last Friday in a speech to the American Constitution Society.

"And those who talk, don't know," Ginsburg added.

Just over a dozen cases still have to be decided, as the Supreme Court will clear out some of that underbrush on Monday, gettings things ready for the big rulings of this term.

But even if you hear later today that "no health care ruling was made" by the Justices, just realize that behind the scenes, politicians, journalists and legal experts are all getting themselves ready for the big day.

Oyez, oyez, oyez.