"To simply say that the 'culture of life,' or whatever you call it means that we don't have to pay attention to the principles of federalism or separation of powers is certainly not a conservative viewpoint," said former Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga.

"It contradicts a lot of what those behind it say they believe: the sanctity of the family, the sacred bond between husband and wife, the ability of all of us to make private decisions without the hand of government intervening, deference to states and localities as opposed to the centralized government," said [Allan] Lichtman [who chairs the history department at American University in Washington].

"I believe it unwise for the Congress to take from the state of Florida its constitutional responsibility to resolve the issues in this case." — Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia

[The] conservative Republican movement that "built itself in the 1970s around attacking government has become the party of big government since 2000." ... "Starting with the war against terrorism and climaxing with Congress intervening in this case, we see a GOP that is quite comfortable flexing the muscle of Washington, and a Democratic Party which is increasingly finding itself in favor of limiting government," [Julian E.] Zelizer [a Boston University history professor] said.