If I were a conservative, and I am, I wouldnt get my hopes up. Here is a take that has not been mentioned yet.
From what I understand the Justices dont dicsuss the case after theyve heard arguments. They go back to their chambers and write their opinions and vote. Thats not a rule, that is simply how the process has evolved.
Hoewever, the Justices are free to query one another and conversate with one another and there is no prohibition against lobbying another Jusice.
Keeping that in mind, now remember this: obama has put two women on that court and he picked them becasue they are as radical as he is.
I believe that Sotomayer is just as much as a radical activist as obama with a union thug gene deep in her genome.
I believe that Sotomayer will try to sway other Justices behind closed doors. I believe that she will be in touch with the obama adminstration giving them a blow by blow on how the decision is coming along. In short she is a mole.
I believe that if the opinion doesnt go her way that she will try to fiddle with the final text in order to achieve her end.
Look at her track record if you dont believe that sotomayer is capable of that. She is a non apologetic racist who will have her way and do anything to get her way.
Sotomayer is key, someone must keep an eye on her and keep her in check. (Kind of reminds me of John Carpenters The Thing with Kirt Russel)
I remember when belittling supreme court justices at State of the union events was in style ... my how time flies.