Reagan nominated Sandra Day O'Connor, who, in the Michigan University case favor of affirmative action, although pointed out that the country was fast approaching a time when affirmative action wouldn't be something that could be legal anymore, voted to bounce abortion decisions back to states and to NOT overturn Roe v. Wade. Of note, the republican nominated Alito just voted to NOT execute a man who Clarence Thomas, a democrat nominee (Bill Clinton) voted TO execute. What someone says up front, before appointment can be very different from how they actually vote. You see, once you are on there you can't be removed...so, you are actually free to vote however you feel is legally responsible, not how the party who nominated wants you to.