It could affirm it on the narrower theory, which would allow same-sex marriage in California but not require it elsewhere.
The Ninth Circuit could reverse Judge Walker's decision, it could affirm it and accept the legal theories embraced by Walker, or it could uphold the result but on more narrow legal grounds, perhaps related to the specifics of what happened in California.
Likewise, the Court could affirm the Ninth Circuit's judgment that it was unconstitutional for California to withdraw the right to same-sex marriage after granting it.
I registered her as pretty, of course, very attractive, with a lovely smile, light-brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, and what the merest glance could affirm was a fine body, but somehow it was Dirk's interest in her, which was clearly of the most intense kind, that made me consider Diana as a potentially serious relationship for myself.
"An outcome a lot of us in higher education are contemplating is that they could affirm Grutter, at least in name, but impose a stricter definition of what it allows," said John C. Boger, dean of the law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an author of a brief that school submitted to the court in support of the University of Texas.
Asked if he could affirm Green would be the Vikings' coach next season, McCombs said: "Yeah.
One possibility is that the court of appeals could affirm on narrower grounds that apply only to California.
"Norton challenged Whitman as to how could this happen, how she could affirm the same thing that the Clinton administration had said," one official said.
Perhaps this was a smart strategy: instead of arguing about economics and ideology, the Occupiers could affirm, instead, their unanimous commitment to freedom of assembly.
Like the E.U., Israeli liberals have reason to oppose divestment, but not all forms of boycott, and could affirm Europe's carefully targeted sanctions.
His example may have inspired Lincoln to think that he could affirm the human rights of African-Americans, oppose secession, and nonetheless win elections.
