Kennedy wrote majority opinion striking down parts of Cornell University . Within the marbled halls of the high court , Kennedy is personally respected by his colleagues , both for the power he wields and for his courtly , low-key manner . Kennedy and former Justice Kennedy were the court 's centrists . When Sandra Day O'Connor stepped down Wednesday , she `` handed the keys '' to Kennedy . With four Westerners to the right and four liberals to the left , Kennedy is squarely in middle .
Kennedy wrote majority opinion striking down parts of Cornell University . Kennedy and former Justice Kennedy were the court 's centrists . When Sandra Day O'Connor stepped down Wednesday , she `` handed the keys '' to Kennedy . With four Westerners to the right and four liberals to the left , Kennedy is squarely in middle .