Arlen Specter
Arlen Specter
Arlen Specterwas an American lawyer and politician who served as United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Specter was a Democrat from 1951 to 1965, then a Republican from 1965 until 2009, when he switched back to the Democratic Party. First elected in 1980, he represented his state in the Senate for 30 years...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth12 February 1930
CountryUnited States of America
thinking order hearing
It has been my experience that the hearings are really, in effect, a subtle minuet, with the nominee answering as many questions as he thinks necessary in order to be confirmed.
process primaries extremist
The extremists took over the primary process.
philosophy party odds
As the Republican Party has moved farther and farther to the right, I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party.
sports athlete play
Americans' addiction to sports, with the NFL at the top, is based on the excitement generated by the potential for the unexpected great play which can only happen with honest competition from great athletes.
war important use
No senator's vote, except for the declaration of war or the authorization for the use of force, is more important than the confirmation of a nominee for the Supreme Court for a lifetime appointment.
thinking bikinis labels
I don't like labels. I think they conceal more than they reveal, sort of like a bikini.
rights important bills
The First Amendment freedom of religion is as important today as when the Bill of Rights was first written.
independent president absence
When the president acts in absence of a congressional grant of authority, he can rely only upon his own independent powers. When the president takes measures incompatible with the express or implied will of Congress, his power is at its lowest ebb.
essence democracy transcendentalism
The essence of a democracy is a free electorate.
health should-have decision
I am opposed to anybody making a decision for you or me or anybody else about what health care plan we should have.
security-measures security
Effective security measures do not come cheap.
jobs judging way
But one way or another, judges perform a very vital function in our society. They have a risky job and they are entitled to security.
party tea important
Beating the tea party gang is more important than who does the beating.
voting democracy return
Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.