A biography for Arlen Specterhasn’t been written yet.
“My father was an immigrant who literally walked across Europe to get out of Russia. He fought in World War I. He was wounded in action. My father was a great success even though he never had money. He was a very determined man, a great role model.”
“If enough people would come out the right wing, the extremists couldn't dominate.”
“Well, I believe that when you are confirming a United States Supreme Court Justice, that it really isn't Democratic or Republican; it's American.”
“The essence of a democracy is a free electorate.”
“The solicitor general is sometimes referred to as the 10th Supreme Court justice - a pretty important position.”
“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.”
“Look, the president can discharge all 93 U.S. attorneys for no reason at all, but not for a bad reason.”
“The Supreme Court has a very light backlog. They leave a lot of splits among the circuits, a lot of uncertainty. And I think they ought to work a lot harder.”
“I've made a career of being precise.”
“Strong advocacy for education, health care and worker safety will be indispensable if they are to get their fair share of President Bush's austere budget for the next fiscal year.”
“It's inspirational to see someone who is dying smile.”
“I do not represent the Republican Party.”
“Separation of power says the judiciary committee is supposed to confirm qualified judges and then what the Supreme Court does, that is their function, not my function.”
“Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.”
“I've been playing squash almost daily for 38 years.”
“Effective security measures do not come cheap.”
“There's nothing more important than our good health - that's our principal capital asset.”
“In our social contract, we have provisions that see to it that you take care of people who need some help.”
“Cannibals are devouring senators.”
“African-Americans are underrepresented.”