Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor made a joke about the GOP candidates Saturday that reportedly drew much laughter.
At the black-tie steak-and-lobster Alfalfa Club dinner Saturday among political and business elites in Washington, she said that of two GOP presidential candidates, "one is a practicing polygamist, and he's not even the Mormon," according to an Associated Press report. The remark appeared to be a comparison between Romney's Mormon faith (which no longer allows polygamy) and thrice-married Newt Gingrich. The dinner is closed to the press.
The elite club, which gathers once a year for the event, did not admit blacks until the 1970s, and it wasn't until 1993 that it admitted women, of which Justice O'Connor was among the first. President Barack Obama also spoke at the event. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy are members.
The event drew Occupy DC protesters, demonstrating against the Washington elites. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) was glitter-bombed by a protester.
O'Connor, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, retired from the Court in 2006. O'Connor is a lifelong Republican, but grew disillusioned with the party under the administration of President George W. Bush, according to the New Yorker's Jeffrey Toobin.