Justice Kennedy: the next swing vote

"The confirmation of Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the US Supreme Court would make Justice Anthony Kennedy the court's swing vote, giving him decisive power on constitutional law governing abortion restrictions, affirmative action, campaign finance regulations, and government involvement with religion, legal scholars said.

"Kennedy, 69, would probably become the dominant figure on the bench, occupying the center position on a court otherwise balanced between four reliable liberals and four reliable conservatives, scholars said." ...