[goldstategop]

No, it isn't. Conservatives will still be a minority bloc if Roberts votes with the rest. You'd still need one more appointment to decisively shift the Court rightwards. If I were the libs, I'd keep my powder dry til the next vacancy. That's the one that will be pivotal - for the future of the Supreme Court - and the country.

("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")

[SpringheelJack]

Yes it is. There have been many 5-4 votes on which O'Connor was the deciding one. Replace her with Alito, and McConnell v. FEC probably goes down in flames. That was McCain's campaign finance reform.