Yes I think she will have a big impact on some of the courts decisions. She was raised in a lower class environment and climbed the ladder on her own. She had less than great sat's and when she got into Princeton she acceded and graduated with honors. I think the way affirmative action goes she will have a voice in these issues and a perspective that has not been seen yet. She is also a diabetic and has been since she was a child so I think her experience with this will influence her decisions on disability cases. She also does not have the financial stability of the other justices so this will have a part of the influence also. To make a long story short she comes from middle class America where she has had life experiences just like every other American. She was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth and had the opportunity's just given to her, she has earned them. with this type of background I feel that she will have a better view and understanding on some of the cases they hear.
I am betting that with this background she will change some of the views and she will bring a more down to earth approach on some of the decisions that affect us all. I hope so.

Newly Supreme court Justice Sotomayor vote wise wouldn't change the make up of votes seeing that she replaces O'Connor a left leaning judge. But her views on property rights and gun control are in its self two different ways she see's things. As she is a strong believer in imminent domain, while also strongly behind gun control. so her impact could be felt on issues of state law vs federal law.

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