Supreme Court’s newcomers lead push to the right

The Supreme Court’s revamped conservative majority flexed its muscle Monday in three 5-4 decisions that undercut precedents set by more liberal courts. The rulings — which included decisions that weaken restrictions on broadcast ads during election campaigns and that narrow students’ speech rights in schools — reflected how President Bush’s appointees, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, have begun to move the court toward the right.