Well, I think this nominee is more important than you indicate.
One more vote means we WIN all 5-4 cases that would have gone the other way in our favor. There are many such cases, including ones on issues like school prayer etc.
Yes, we still need ONE more person to go and be replaced by a conservative to get a consistently conservative court, but now it should already be much better than when O'Connor was there.
I disagree with that statement. One more vote does not mean that is an automatic outcome. USSC decisions are give and take, back and forth affairs, and justices are influenced by other justices before they cast their final votes. Weak justives are subject to more influence than strong justices, like Thomas. I agree it's a good thing we are gaining one more strict contructionist vote on the Court, but I disagree that this guarantees any outcomes. And I remain convinced the Dims will not filibuster, unless some dramatic news release happens before the floor vote that changes the equation.