In remarks at the Kennedy School of Government's ARCO Forum last night, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) praised the Supreme Court for what he described as a non-activist stance in recent decisions.

Speaking to a capacity crowd at yesterday's event, which was co-sponsored by the Harvard Institute of Politics and the Harvard Republican Club, Hatch stressed the need for judicial restraint in the nation's highest court.

"Judges shouldn't act as super-legislators in black robes," Hatch said. "It is inappropriate to see the Court as another legislative body."

Hatch said that though the current Supreme Court is perceived as a highly conservative body, a long list of recent 5-4 decisions touching on controversial issues ranging from abortion to pornography proves otherwise.

He argued that such decisions have steered towards a centrist position, and have at times disappointed conservative groups. This tendency, Hatch said, proves that "the Rehnquist Court is not a consistently conservative one."

Instead, Hatch said, it has appropriately avoided judicial activism favoring any particular ideology.

Hatch acknowledged that some might disagree with his claim that the Supreme Court is politically neutral, but added that "it wouldn't be the first time liberal academics have disagreed with Orrin Hatch," drawing laughter from the audience.

After concluding his remarks, Hatch fielded questions from the audience for 25 minutes.