His opinions have been called Christian diatribes rather than well-reasoned analyses of the Constitution. This is not surprising, because the rulings of Thomas and fellow conservative Justice Antonin Scalia suggest that they believe that their personal interpretations of the Bible override the U.S. Constitution. But even only one or two new appointments could dramatically change the balance of the high court, either intensifying its conservative tilt or shifting it back to the left. Key issues include many individual rights issues such as abortion. Conservatives know what is best for everyone and want to dictate morals.
Liberals tend to more strongly uphold individual - especially private rights.
Just as important is the balance in the Appeals Courts where former Presidents Reagan and Bush added more conservative judges. With the Supreme Court hearing fewer cases, the Appeals Court Judges are very important for defending individual rights and freedoms against the huge attacks launched by the religious groups to dictate our rights, as they decide what is best for us. On the abortion front Gore has been outspoken in protecting women's individual rights by saying that he would work to make sure the Supreme Court would continue to uphold a women's right to choice. Bush has said his model jurist is Antonin Scalia who has consistently ruled against individual rights. Of course control of the Senate is also very important since the Senate has to confirm the appointments.