Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Arlen Specter

Arlen Specter (February 12, 1930 – October 14, 2012) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a Senator from for 30 years, from 1981 to 2011. Born in , he graduated from the in 1951 and in 1956, served in the U.S. from 1951 to 1953, and began his legal career as an assistant in from 1959 to 1964. Specter rose to national attention as assistant counsel to the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy () in 1964, where he contributed to the investigation's findings on the events surrounding the . He was elected as a in 1965, serving from 1966 to 1974, during which he prosecuted cases involving and . In the , initially elected as a in 1980 and reelected four times, Specter chaired the Judiciary Committee from 2005 to 2007 and held influential positions on Appropriations, , and committees, advocating for increased funding for including initiatives and cancer treatment. Known for his independent streak and moderate voting record that often crossed party lines, Specter switched to the in April 2009 to seek renomination amid a challenging Republican primary, a move that temporarily expanded Democratic control but ended with his defeat in the 2010 Democratic primary. His career was marked by participation in high-profile confirmations, such as the contentious hearings, and legislative efforts on and , though his party switch drew criticism from conservatives for prioritizing electoral survival over principle.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Childhood

Arlen Specter was born on February 12, 1930, in , as the youngest of four children to Harry Aaron Specter and Lillie (née Shanin) Specter. Both parents were Jewish immigrants from ; Harry Specter, born in the village of Bachkuryne in , had fled czarist Russia at age 18 around 1910 and later served in the during . Lillie's family origins were similarly rooted in the region, reflecting the broader pattern of Eastern European Jewish migration to the in the early seeking economic opportunity and escape from pogroms. The Specter family relocated to —a small farming community in the western part of the state—shortly after Arlen's birth, where they became the only Jewish household amid a predominantly Protestant, rural population. Harry's entrepreneurial efforts during the included working as a fruit peddler, tailor, and junkyard owner, often involving door-to-door debt collection and manual labor such as unloading produce, which Arlen assisted with as a boy. This modest existence underscored the challenges of immigrant assimilation in isolated Midwestern towns, with the family's occasionally exposing them to , though Specter later attributed his pragmatic, centrist partly to navigating such a minority status without overt hostility. Specter's siblings—Morton, , and Shirley—were older, and family dynamics emphasized and education amid financial strain. He attended local public schools in , excelling academically despite the cultural homogeneity, and graduated from Russell High School in 1947. These formative years in a tight-knit, resource-scarce environment, coupled with his parents' stories of hardships, instilled in him a drive for achievement that propelled his later pursuits in and .

Academic Training

Specter initially enrolled at the before transferring to the , where he majored in and graduated in 1951. At Penn, he participated in intercollegiate debate, winning a championship alongside future law partner Marvin Katz, and joined the fraternity. After completing his military service, Specter entered , from which he graduated in 1956. His strong academic record there secured him a as an editor of the Yale Law Journal. Between his second and third years, he clerked at the firm of Pershing, Bosworth, Dick, and Dawson.

Pre-Political Career

Military Service

Specter enlisted in the United States following his graduation from the in 1951, serving during the until 1953. His service was stateside, where he worked as an officer in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, conducting inquiries into potential criminal activities and security matters within the military. During this period, Specter attained the rank of , reflecting his role in investigative operations rather than combat duties overseas. He was honorably discharged in 1953, after which he pursued legal studies at . No records indicate involvement in frontline engagements, consistent with the domestic focus of the Office of Special Investigations at the time.

Legal Practice and Warren Commission Role

After graduating from Yale Law School in 1956, Specter joined the Philadelphia law firm Barnes, Dechert, Price, Myers & Rhoads, where he practiced corporate and litigation law. He subsequently established his own firm in partnership with Marvin Katz, a future federal judge, focusing on civil and criminal matters in the region. In November 1963, Specter was appointed assistant counsel to the , established by President to investigate the . Assigned to scrutinize the medical, ballistic, and forensic evidence, Specter analyzed witness testimonies, autopsy reports, and the , concluding that the timeline required only three shots from Lee Harvey Oswald's rifle within approximately 5.6 seconds. Central to his work was the formulation of the , positing that Commission Exhibit 399—a nearly intact 6.5mm bullet recovered at Parkland Hospital—caused non-fatal wounds to both and Texas Governor , who sat ahead and to the president's right in the . According to the theory, the bullet entered Kennedy's upper back at a downward angle, exited his , then struck Connally's back, shattered his , exited his chest, smashed his , and lodged in his , aligning with entry-exit wound alignments when accounting for the men's relative positions and the 's movement. This reconstruction, informed by consultations with Parkland physicians and ballistic tests, supported the 's determination of a lone gunman by explaining multiple injuries without exceeding the shot sequence constraints. The single-bullet theory, while integral to the Warren Report's findings released in September 1964, has faced persistent scrutiny from skeptics who argue it strains physical plausibility given the bullet's minimal deformation despite traversing dense tissue and bone. Specter defended the hypothesis throughout his career, citing empirical alignments from Commission recreations and subsequent analyses, such as those by the House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1979, which upheld its feasibility despite endorsing a possible conspiracy on audio grounds.

Local Political Career

Philadelphia District Attorney Tenure

Arlen Specter was elected on November 2, 1965, as the candidate, defeating Charles G. Nistico in a city dominated by Democratic voters; he assumed office on January 4, 1966. He won re-election in 1969 but lost his bid for a third term in 1973 to F. Emmett Fitzpatrick, serving until January 8, 1974. During his tenure, Specter prioritized prosecutorial efficiency and reform, expanding the district attorney's office from 51 assistant district attorneys to more than 200 to handle rising caseloads amid increasing rates. He promoted plea bargaining to accelerate case resolutions, raising the percentage of convicted criminals pleading guilty from 27 percent in 1965 to 72 percent by 1971, which reduced trial backlogs while maintaining high conviction rates. Specter positioned himself as tough on , focusing on violent offenses, , and public corruption, with policies emphasizing repeat offender prosecution. Specter targeted systemic corruption, prosecuting city officials and driving investigations into the magistrate system, which was plagued by and favoritism; his efforts contributed to a 1968 abolishing magisterial courts in and replacing them with district justices. His office also addressed amid scandals, including a 1971 Pennsylvania Crime Commission probe into graft in the that uncovered payoffs and drug-related corruption, though Specter's aggressive stance drew tensions with Police Commissioner . These initiatives aimed to restore public trust in the justice system but faced criticism for politicization, contributing to his 1973 defeat.

Key Investigations and Prosecutions

During his tenure as from 1966 to 1974, Arlen Specter prioritized combating systemic within the city's judicial and public institutions, particularly targeting the system long plagued by , , and favoritism. Building on prior state-level investigations he led as a special deputy , Specter pursued prosecutions against multiple city magistrates accused of accepting payoffs to dismiss cases or grant leniently. These efforts culminated in the conviction of at least three magistrates on charges, exposing a network where officials exploited their roles for personal gain. Specter's office also investigated ongoing labor racketeering, including a 1967 probe into alleged gambling operations within Teamsters Local 107, continuing scrutiny of the union he had targeted earlier as an assistant district attorney. This reflected his broader strategy against organized corruption infiltrating public sectors, though federal involvement often complemented local actions. His prosecutions extended to other public officials, contributing to reforms that professionalized the district attorney's office and advocated for abolishing the magistrate system in favor of more accountable district justices. Beyond , Specter maintained a rigorous approach to , overseeing more than 10,000 cases with a reported of 69 out of 75 trials, emphasizing evidence-based prosecutions over plea bargains in serious offenses. These initiatives enhanced his reputation as a reform-minded prosecutor, though critics occasionally accused his office of amid Philadelphia's rising urban challenges.

U.S. Senate Election and Service

Initial Campaigns and Victories

Following the retirement of incumbent Senator , Arlen Specter announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate from in the 1980 election cycle. Facing opposition from the state establishment, including Governor Richard Thornburgh, Specter entered the primary as an outsider candidate emphasizing his prosecutorial experience and independence. On April 22, 1980, he narrowly won the nomination, securing 419,372 votes (36.4%) against Bud Haabestad's 382,281 (33.2%), a margin of approximately 3 percentage points amid a multi-candidate field. In the general election on November 4, 1980, Specter competed against Democratic nominee Pete Flaherty, a former mayor and . Campaigning as a moderate in a with a Democratic registration advantage, Specter focused on law-and-order themes and economic issues resonant with the . He prevailed with 2,230,404 votes (50.5%) to Flaherty's 2,122,391 (48.0%), a narrow victory by about 108,000 votes or 2.4 percentage points, contributing to the majority that year. Specter sought re-election in 1986 amid a midterm environment favoring Democrats nationally. Unchallenged in the Republican primary, he faced U.S. Representative Bob Edgar, a who criticized Specter's support for certain Reagan administration policies. Specter, bolstered by strong fundraising and incumbency advantages, won decisively on November 4, 1986, with 56% of the vote to Edgar's 44%, securing a second term despite the Democratic gains elsewhere. This outcome underscored Specter's appeal as a centrist capable of broad voter support in Pennsylvania's competitive political landscape.

Committee Assignments and Leadership Positions

Upon entering the U.S. Senate in January 1981, Arlen Specter was assigned to the Committee on the Judiciary, where he served continuously until his departure in 2011, leveraging his prior experience as and counsel to the . He also joined the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works, maintaining membership on these panels through much of his tenure. Additionally, Specter served on the Special Committee on Aging and the Select Committee on Intelligence. Specter's leadership roles expanded with Republican majorities. He chaired the Select Committee on from January 1995 to January 1997, overseeing inquiries into intelligence operations during a period of post-Cold War restructuring. He then led the Committee on from January 1997 to January 2001 and again from January 2003 to January 2005, focusing on benefits expansion and healthcare reforms for veterans amid shifting congressional control. In 2005, following the retention of the Senate, Specter assumed the chairmanship of the Committee on the Judiciary, holding the position until Democrats gained the majority in January 2007; during this time, he managed high-profile confirmation hearings for judicial nominees. On Appropriations, Specter held influential subcommittee roles, including as and later chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, directing billions in funding for and education programs. His positions on and involved oversight of and environmental policy, though without formal chairmanship. Following his party switch to on April 28, 2009, Specter forfeited accumulated seniority on all committees per rules, reverting to junior status on the five panels he retained, which diminished his influence in the final years of his service.

Major Legislative Contributions

Specter played a pivotal role in the passage of the of 1994, providing bipartisan Republican support for the legislation originally sponsored by Senator , which allocated federal resources for prosecuting gender-based violence, established victim services, and mandated training on domestic abuse. As Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, he also advanced reauthorizations, including the 2005 VAWA, which expanded protections for victims of and while increasing funding for grants to over $1.6 billion cumulatively by that point. In health policy, Specter spearheaded efforts to double the (NIH) budget from $13.2 billion in 1998 to $27.1 billion by 2003, collaborating with Senator to prioritize biomedical research funding amid competing fiscal priorities, resulting in accelerated advancements in cancer and other disease treatments. He further advocated for expanded federal support of embryonic stem cell research, sponsoring the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (S. 471), which passed the 63-37 but was vetoed by President ; Specter held public hearings challenging administration restrictions and argued for ethical derivations to unlock therapeutic potential without creating new embryos. On national security, as Judiciary Committee Chairman from 2005 to 2007, Specter managed the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, securing its passage with provisions extending surveillance authorities while incorporating sunset clauses and oversight amendments to address concerns raised by groups like the ACLU. He also sponsored elements of the , which passed the 65-34 and established military tribunals for Guantanamo detainees, codifying interrogation standards compliant with the after rulings invalidated prior frameworks. Following his 2009 switch to the , Specter cast the decisive 60th vote enabling passage of the on December 23, 2009, by a 60-39 margin, facilitating expanded insurance coverage to over 30 million Americans through mandates, subsidies, and expansion despite his prior reservations on the public option.

Pivotal Judicial and Confirmation Votes

As a long-serving member of the Judiciary Committee from 1981 to 2011, Arlen Specter played a significant role in evaluating and voting on numerous judicial nominations, particularly to the , where his positions often reflected his moderate Republican stance and emphasis on . His votes and questioning during hearings frequently drew attention due to their potential to sway outcomes in a closely divided . Specter's opposition to Robert Bork's 1987 Supreme Court nomination was among his most consequential actions, contributing to its defeat. During the Judiciary Committee hearings, Specter rigorously questioned Bork on issues like privacy rights and the Ninth Amendment, ultimately voting against reporting the nomination favorably; the committee voted 9-5 against on October 6, 1987. The full rejected Bork's on October 23, 1987, by a 58-42 vote, with Specter joining five other Republicans in opposition, a decision that conservatives later criticized as ideologically driven despite Bork's extensive judicial record. In contrast, Specter supported Clarence Thomas's 1991 nomination amid intense scrutiny over allegations from . As a committee member, he conducted pointed of Hill on October 11-12, 1991, challenging inconsistencies in her testimony and arguing they undermined her credibility, which drew backlash from women's groups but aligned with his assessment of Thomas's qualifications. Specter voted to confirm Thomas, helping secure the committee's advancement; the approved the nomination on October 15, 1991, by a 52-48 margin. During his tenure as Judiciary Committee chairman from 2005 to 2007, Specter presided over the confirmations of Chief Justice and Associate Justice . He voted in favor of Roberts on September 22, 2005, after hearings focused on Roberts's respect for precedent, with the committee approving 13-5 and the confirming 78-22 on September 29, 2005. Similarly, Specter endorsed Alito on January 13, 2006, emphasizing Alito's judicial philosophy of , leading to committee approval and full confirmation 58-42 on January 31, 2006. After switching to the in April 2009, Specter voted to confirm on August 6, 2009, by a 68-31 margin, consistent with his support for nominees demonstrating mainstream legal reasoning, though he pressed her during hearings on topics like the Second Amendment and . These votes underscored Specter's pattern of independent evaluation, often prioritizing nominee qualifications over strict partisan loyalty.

Ideological Shifts and Party Switch

Evolution from Republican Moderation

Specter entered the Senate in 1981 as a aligned with Reagan's coalition, securing victories on issues like tax cuts and defense spending, yet demonstrating early independence through support for reform and environmental protections that occasionally diverged from strict party orthodoxy. His moderation crystallized in when he opposed the nomination of , arguing that Bork's originalist philosophy threatened precedents on privacy and equal protection, a vote that contributed to Bork's 58-42 defeat and drew lasting conservative ire as a of Reagan's judicial agenda. Throughout the 1990s, Specter maintained a centrist profile, voting to convict President during his 1999 impeachment trial while backing bipartisan measures like the , but his pro-choice stance on and advocacy for federal funding of research increasingly isolated him from the party's social conservative wing. By the early 2000s, tensions escalated under ; Specter supported the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and the authorization in October 2002, yet publicly criticized the administration's warrantless NSA surveillance program in 2006, threatening contempt proceedings against officials for non-cooperation and decrying it as an imbalance against . He also challenged Bush's use of signing statements to undermine congressional intent, holding Judiciary Committee hearings in June 2006 to scrutinize over 750 such statements issued since 2001. This pattern of cross-party voting intensified on social and scientific issues, exemplified by Specter's leadership in passing the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, which cleared the House 238-194 and Senate 63-37 before Bush's veto—the first of his presidency—prompting Specter to join an unsuccessful override attempt and predict eventual federal funding as scientific consensus grew. National Journal rated him among the Senate's most liberal Republicans in economic and social policy votes by 2005, with a composite score reflecting frequent alignment with Democrats (over 40% on key issues), fueling primary challenges like Pat Toomey's in 2004, where Specter won renomination 60-40 amid accusations of apostasy from groups like the Club for Growth. These deviations, rooted in Specter's self-described commitment to institutional checks and empirical policy over ideological purity, positioned him as a bridge figure whose moderation clashed with the GOP's rightward shift on executive power, judicial restraint, and bioethics.

2009 Party Change Announcement and Motivations

On April 28, , U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of publicly announced his departure from the to become a , declaring his intent to seek re-election in the 2010 Democratic primary rather than face a likely defeat in the contest. The switch immediately expanded the Democratic majority to 59 seats, positioning it one vote shy of the filibuster-proof threshold, though Specter emphasized he would not serve as an automatic 60th vote for party priorities. Specter attributed the decision in part to ideological divergence, asserting that the had "moved farther and farther to the right" over recent years, leaving him at odds with its direction while aligning more closely with Democratic principles on issues like economic stimulus and . However, he candidly acknowledged electoral calculations as a core motivator, stating that internal polling showed his prospects in the upcoming Republican primary—against conservative challenger —were "bleak," with Specter trailing by double digits amid backlash from GOP activists over his support for Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus package and other moderate positions. Pennsylvania's voter registration dynamics further underscored the pragmatic rationale: Democrats held a 4-to-3 advantage over Republicans in the state by , reflecting a broader leftward shift in the electorate following the , which won by over 10 percentage points. Specter later affirmed that the switch was explicitly designed to enhance his re-election odds, remarking, "My change in will enable me to be re-elected," a concession that critics across the aisle interpreted as opportunistic rather than pure , given his 44-year history as a including multiple endorsements from conservative presidents.

Immediate Political Fallout and 2010 Defeat

Specter's announcement on April 28, 2009, that he was switching from the to the elicited sharp backlash from Republicans, who viewed the move as opportunistic self-preservation amid poor polling against primary challenger . Chairman labeled it a "self-serving" act that denied voters a choice, while former called it a betrayal of conservative principles. The switch deprived the GOP of a seat they had held for decades and fueled internal recriminations about the party's treatment of moderates, with some conservatives celebrating the purge of a perceived RINO (Republican In Name Only). Democrats welcomed the , which brought their majority to 59 seats and positioned them one vote shy of a filibuster-proof , aiding Barack Obama's agenda on issues like healthcare reform. However, Specter emphasized he would not be an "automatic" 60th vote, signaling his intent to retain and critiquing both parties' extremes, which tempered Democratic enthusiasm and drew skepticism from party activists wary of his long history. Majority Leader endorsed Specter but faced pressure from liberals who distrusted his past opposition to nominees like . Facing a Democratic primary challenge from U.S. Representative , a retired who positioned himself as an outsider advocating change, Specter campaigned on his seniority, bipartisan record, and ability to deliver federal funds to . Sestak's ads hammered Specter's party switch as cynical, highlighting polls showing Specter trailing Toomey by double digits in the GOP primary, and capitalized on anti-incumbent fervor amid wave and economic discontent. Specter, at 79, struggled to mobilize the Democratic base, receiving lukewarm support from Obama despite an endorsement, as the president prioritized other races. On May 18, 2010, Sestak defeated Specter in the Democratic primary with 54.4% of the vote to Specter's 45.6%, a margin of over 100,000 votes statewide, ending Specter's bid for a sixth term after 30 years in the Senate. The upset reflected broader voter rejection of entrenched Washington figures, with Sestak's military background and aggressive spending—$10 million personally loaned to his campaign—contrasting Specter's institutional defenses. Analysts attributed the loss to lingering distrust over the switch, Specter's age and health issues (including prior brain cancer), and Democratic primary voters' preference for a fresh face amid national anti-establishment sentiment, despite Specter's efforts to rebrand as a loyal Democrat. Sestak advanced to the general election but lost to Republican Pat Toomey, underscoring the switch's ultimate failure to secure Specter's seat for Democrats.

Policy Positions and Controversies

Abortion and Related Legislation

Arlen Specter consistently described himself as personally opposed to but legally pro-choice, affirming the Supreme Court's decision as a "super-precedent" reinforced by subsequent rulings. As a senator, his positions drew criticism from social conservatives, who viewed his support for abortion rights as atypical for the party, while pro-choice groups rated him variably due to occasional votes favoring restrictions. Specter voted in favor of banning partial-birth abortions on multiple occasions, including yes on S.1692 in 1999 and yes on S.3 in 2003, which prohibited the procedure except when necessary to save the mother's life. These votes aligned with efforts to limit late-term procedures, though he had earlier advocated for additional review of medical and humanitarian aspects before enacting such bans. He also supported the (S.1019/HR.1997) in 2004, imposing criminal penalties for harming an unborn during other crimes, a measure endorsed by pro-life advocates as recognizing fetal in non-abortion contexts. On measures restricting access, Specter opposed parental notification requirements, voting no on S.403 in 2006 to notify parents of minors seeking out-of-state abortions and no on an in 2008 prohibiting minors from crossing state lines for the procedure . He rejected efforts to bar federal funding for organizations performing abortions, voting no on S.Amdt.3330 to H.R.3043 in 2007, and opposed defining unborn children as eligible for the State (SCHIP) in 2008. Additionally, he voted no on maintaining bans on abortions at military bases in 2000 and no on restricting UN funding for population control policies potentially involving in 2009. In related areas intersecting abortion debates, Specter advocated for expanded federal funding of research, viewing it as distinct from incentives despite ethical concerns over embryo destruction. He voted yes on S.5 and H.R.3 in 2007 to broaden research to more embryonic lines, signed a 2004 letter urging such expansion, and introduced legislation in 2010 to protect funding amid court challenges. His efforts, including hearings as Appropriations subcommittee chair, highlighted potential medical benefits while navigating opposition linking the research to abortion politics.

Judicial Philosophy and Supreme Court Influence

Arlen Specter's judicial philosophy, shaped by his experience as a and emphasis on prosecutorial rigor, prioritized adherence to legal precedent, , and the protection of in evaluating nominees. He viewed the Senate's advice-and-consent role as requiring independent scrutiny of a nominee's likely application of constitutional principles, rather than deference to presidential or partisan preferences. This approach favored judges who demonstrated restraint and fidelity to established law, avoiding those whose views suggested potential overreach or disregard for stare decisis. Specter's influence was most evident in high-profile Supreme Court confirmations during his 30-year tenure on the Judiciary Committee, where he served as chairman from 2005 to 2007. In 1987, he opposed Robert Bork's nomination, arguing that Bork's positions on , , and precedents like those establishing privacy protections raised substantial doubts about his mainstream application of constitutional fundamentals; Specter's pointed questioning of Bork's shifting testimony on these issues contributed to the Senate's 58-42 rejection on October 23, 1987, leading to Anthony Kennedy's appointment instead. He contrasted this by supporting Clarence Thomas's 1991 confirmation (52-48 on October 15), despite leading the contentious Anita Hill credibility probe, deeming Thomas qualified after extensive review. As chairman, Specter presided over John Roberts's unanimous committee advancement and Senate confirmation (78-22 on September 29, 2005), and Samuel Alito's (58-42 on January 31, 2006), while stressing the need for nominees to respect "super precedents" like Roe v. Wade, which he described as entrenched due to its reaffirmation in over 30 cases. After switching parties in 2009, he voted for Elena Kagan's confirmation (63-37 on August 6, 2010), critiquing her evasive answers but affirming her qualifications. Through these votes, Specter helped shape a where, by 2012, eight of nine justices had been confirmed during his committee service, indirectly influencing rulings on , civil rights, and executive power without rigid ideological consistency. His centrist independence often drew conservative ire for the Bork vote but earned bipartisan respect for prioritizing legal substance over politics.

National Security and Intelligence Matters

Arlen Specter served on the Select Committee on starting in January 1985 and chaired the committee from 1995 to 1997 following control of the . During his tenure as chairman, Specter oversaw investigations into failures and authored legislation aimed at enhancing measures, including reports on monitoring and issues prompted by events like the Ames espionage case. He emphasized of activities, as evidenced by his advocacy for notifications under the , which requires briefing Congress on certain covert actions. In the aftermath of the , 2001, attacks, Specter supported expanded authorities as a member of the Senate , which he chaired from 2005 to 2007. He voted in favor of the USA PATRIOT Act on October 25, 2001, arguing it provided essential tools for counterterrorism while including sunset provisions for review. During reauthorization debates in 2005 and 2006, Specter negotiated compromises to extend provisions like roving wiretaps and letters, rejecting attempts and securing passage of a revised bill on March 2, 2006, which he described as striking "an acceptable balance" between security and , though he pledged further hearings on concerns. Specter initially backed military action against , voting on October 11, 2002, for the authorizing force, citing intelligence assessments of weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein's defiance of UN resolutions. By 2007, however, he criticized the Bush administration's surge strategy and called for to share power with the president on war policy, arguing that the original authorization imposed restrictions on force usage that warranted renewed legislative input amid escalating costs and shifting intelligence. He also advocated for rights for Guantanamo Bay detainees and supported strengthening Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) courts in response to warrantless wiretap revelations, positioning himself against unchecked executive surveillance while maintaining support for robust intelligence gathering.

Economic and Labor Policies

Arlen Specter, as a long-serving member of the Appropriations Committee, including chairmanship of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee, prioritized funding for workforce training, employment services, and health-related research initiatives aimed at bolstering economic productivity. In 2006, he led approval of a $145.7 billion appropriations bill that addressed prior reductions in (NIH) funding, emphasizing research to drive innovation and job growth. Collaborating with Democrat , Specter incorporated provisions for derivation using federal funds in Labor-HHS bills, viewing such investments as essential for long-term economic competitiveness through biomedical advancements. On broader fiscal policy, Specter advocated tax simplification, introducing S. 488 in the 106th to impose a flat tax on individuals' earned income and businesses' , arguing it would streamline compliance and stimulate growth without favoring specific income brackets. He testified before the Joint Economic Committee in 2003 on rethinking the tax code to enhance efficiency, critiquing complexities that hindered economic dynamism. Specter supported the 2008 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, providing $700 billion for bank bailouts via the (), despite personal philosophical reservations about taxpayer-funded interventions, citing the risk of systemic financial collapse. In response to the 2008-2009 recession, Specter was one of three senators to vote for the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, defending it as a necessary measure to preserve jobs and avert deeper contraction, while negotiating additions like tax cuts and a 34% increase in NIH funding. He described the vote as "perilous" but justified by empirical indicators of economic peril, including risks in manufacturing-heavy . Specter also backed investments, aligning with Biden's 2010 remarks praising his role in advancing 21st-century economic rebuilding through such spending. Regarding labor policies, Specter's moderate stance reflected Pennsylvania's unionized workforce, particularly in and . He opposed the (EFCA) in March 2009 as a , announcing it as the "decisive vote" against provisions eliminating secret-ballot elections for certification, which he deemed detrimental to balanced during economic downturns. Following his April 2009 party switch to , Specter endorsed a revised -facilitating bill in a September 2009 AFL-CIO speech, signaling openness to reforms strengthening worker representation while proposing broader National Labor Relations Act overhauls to address enforcement gaps. Labor endorsements became pivotal in his 2010 primary, underscoring unions' influence on his electoral viability. Specter supported hikes, voting in 1999 to advance waiver points for increases tied to economic relief packages.

Criticisms from Conservative and Liberal Perspectives

Conservatives criticized Specter for his vote against the nomination of on October 1, 1987, viewing it as a of originalist judicial and a pivotal moment that doomed Bork's , earning Specter lasting enmity from the right. His moderate-to-liberal voting record, including frequent alignment with Democrats on issues like and rights, led figures like to label him "across the board" liberal during the 2004 Pennsylvania Republican primary, where Specter narrowly prevailed with President George W. Bush's endorsement amid conservative backlash. Specter's opposition to President Bill Clinton's 1999 impeachment conviction, arguing the House managers failed to prove their case under a "not proven" standard akin to Scottish law, further alienated social conservatives who saw it as excusing and obstruction. His 2009 switch to the was decried by Republicans as opportunistic ahead of a tough primary, exacerbating perceptions of disloyalty after decades as a GOP senator. Liberals faulted Specter for his aggressive questioning of during Clarence Thomas's 1991 confirmation hearings, where he pressed on details of her allegations, prompting accusations of victim-blaming and insensitivity that fueled feminist outrage and long-term distrust. His October 11, 2002, vote authorizing the aligned him with Bush administration policies, drawing ire from anti-war progressives who later highlighted it during his 2010 Democratic primary as evidence of hawkish tendencies unfit for the party. Post-switch, Specter faced skepticism from the left for retaining centrist positions, with critics likening him to —a who would obstruct filibuster reform and progressive priorities like card-check labor legislation—while some groups opposed granting him seniority without a primary challenge, questioning his ideological commitment. This duality underscored his reputation as a who frustrated partisans on both sides through inconsistent allegiance to ideological purity.

Electoral History

Gubernatorial and Presidential Bids

Arlen Specter launched his bid for the presidential nomination on March 30, 1995, announcing his candidacy in , and framing himself as a pragmatic moderate capable of broadening the party's appeal. He warned that nominating a staunch conservative would hand re-election to President , citing the need for the GOP to attract independent and moderate voters on issues like , where Specter advocated for legal access with gestational limits rather than the outright bans favored by competitors such as Pat and . His platform included ten core commitments, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, crime reduction, and pro-choice policies aligned with his "single bullet theory" defense of the Warren Commission's JFK assassination findings as evidence of independent-mindedness. The campaign faced immediate challenges, including limited fundraising—Specter raised under $3 million by mid-1995—and organizational weaknesses, which hampered his performance in early events like the Iowa straw poll, where he placed sixth with 1.6% of the vote. Polling consistently showed him trailing frontrunners and Buchanan, with national support hovering below 5%, as conservative voters coalesced around ideological purists amid the party's rightward shift. Specter criticized the Republican field for extremism on social issues, but this alienated the base without drawing sufficient moderate crossover. On November 22, 1995, Specter suspended his campaign, citing insurmountable financial deficits and the inability to compete effectively in upcoming primaries, effectively ending his aspirations before any votes were cast. He endorsed no immediately, though his exit underscored tensions between the GOP's and insurgent wings. Specter never mounted a gubernatorial campaign in , focusing instead on local prosecutorial roles in the 1960s and his successful U.S. bids starting in 1980.

Senate Re-elections and Final Campaign

Specter secured re-election to the U.S. Senate in 1986, defeating Democratic Congressman Bob Edgar with 1,906,537 votes (56.44%) to Edgar's 1,448,239 (42.87%). In 1992, he faced a competitive race against Democrat Lynn Yeakel, who had gained prominence criticizing Specter's role in the ; Specter prevailed narrowly with 2,358,125 votes (49.10%) against Yeakel's 2,224,966 (46.33%). His 1998 bid against Democrat Bill Lloyd was less contested, as Specter won 1,814,180 votes (61.34%) to Lloyd's 1,028,839 (34.79%). The 2004 re-election campaign highlighted intra-party tensions within Republicans. Specter withstood a strong primary challenge from conservative Representative on April 27, 2004, winning by approximately 17,000 votes amid criticism from the right over his support for federal funding of research and other moderate stances. In the general , he defeated Democrat Joseph Hoeffel with 2,925,080 votes (52.62%) to Hoeffel's 2,334,126 (41.99%). Specter's final campaign followed his April 28, 2009, switch to the , a move he attributed partly to polling showing likely defeat in a Republican primary rematch with Toomey and a desire to continue his service. Seeking a sixth term, he entered the 2010 Democratic primary but lost to Representative on May 18, 2010, with Sestak capturing about 54% of the vote in a contest fueled by voter demand for change and anti-incumbent fervor. Sestak's upset reflected broader national discontent with long-serving politicians, ending Specter's 30-year tenure.

Post-Senate Life

Teaching and Public Advocacy

Following his departure from the U.S. Senate in January 2011, Arlen Specter joined the —his —as an . He commenced teaching in 2011, delivering a course centered on the relationship between and the , with emphasis on and judicial confirmation processes. Specter intended to persist in his academic role amid health challenges, planning to co-teach a class in the fall 2012 semester despite a recurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed earlier that year. Beyond academia, Specter engaged in selective public-oriented activities, including providing strategic advice on federal and state legislation without undertaking . On December 21, 2011, he donated approximately 2,700 boxes of senatorial papers and memorabilia to University (now ), establishing the Arlen Specter Center for Public Policy as a resource for policy research and education. He also voiced interest in contributing political commentaries via television or radio to leverage his decades of experience. These efforts reflected a commitment to preserving institutional knowledge and fostering informed discourse, though his advancing illness curtailed broader advocacy initiatives.

Philanthropic and Institutional Legacies

Following his departure from the U.S. Senate in January 2011, Specter donated his extensive collection of senatorial papers—spanning over 1,200 boxes and documenting 50 years of —to Philadelphia University (now part of ) in December 2010. This donation formed the foundation for the Arlen Specter Center for , officially dedicated on September 11, 2014, which preserves the archives and fosters research into , bipartisan governance, and leadership. The center hosts events, such as webinars examining Specter's approach to over party loyalty, and supports fellowships that highlight his influence on , healthcare , and American politics. In March 2013, Philadelphia University partnered with the to enhance preservation and public access to the archives, digitizing materials and enabling broader scholarly use through shared descriptive guides. This collaboration underscores Specter's enduring institutional impact, providing resources for researchers studying mid-20th-century legislative history, judicial nominations, and appropriations processes. While Specter did not establish personal philanthropic foundations, his archival gift has sustained educational initiatives aligned with his centrist legacy, including programs on in and innovation.

Illness, Death, and Enduring Impact

Health Struggles

In the early 1990s, Specter underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, followed by a second brain tumor removal in 1996. He also had coronary bypass surgery during this period to address heart disease. A bleeding was diagnosed in December 2003, followed by a rare intestinal cancer in March 2004, which required including . On February 16, 2005, Specter was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma shortly after his 75th birthday and assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee; he underwent eight weeks of and while maintaining his Senate schedule, announcing remission in April 2005. The disease recurred in 2008, prompting further , though he continued legislative work. After leaving the Senate in January 2011, Specter faced a final cancer diagnosis on August 28, 2012, with a flare-up of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leading to hospitalization at the University of Pennsylvania; he was discharged on September 7, 2012, but succumbed to complications from the disease on October 14, 2012, at age 82.

Death and Tributes

Arlen Specter died on October 14, 2012, at his home in , , at the age of 82, from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a recurrence of the cancer he had battled previously. His death followed a public announcement in late August 2012 of the cancer's return, after which he received treatment but ultimately succumbed to its effects. A memorial service for Specter was held on October 16, 2012, at Har Zion Temple in , attended by over 1,000 family members, friends, dignitaries, and political colleagues. delivered a , describing Specter as possessing "undaunted courage" both in political battles and against illness, and noting that "he believed he could change the world, if he just kept fighting." Former Governor praised Specter's integrity and willingness to cross party lines, calling him a man who "never walked away from his principles." Specter's son, Shanin Specter, highlighted his father's decisive vote against President Barack Obama's overhaul in a "dark time for our nation," emphasizing his independence despite the political cost. Tributes from across the underscored Specter's long tenure and bipartisan efforts, particularly in advancing funding. The Cancer Action Network expressed gratitude for his advocacy in reducing cancer suffering and mortality. Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Glenn Thompson mourned him as a figure whose passing saddened many, offering prayers for the . Overall, eulogies portrayed Specter as a tenacious, principle-driven whose career exemplified grit and determination amid ideological shifts and health adversities.

Long-Term Political Legacy

Arlen Specter's long-term political legacy is characterized by his role as a centrist maverick in an increasingly polarized U.S. , where he prioritized policy outcomes over strict party loyalty, authoring or cosponsoring legislation with enduring effects on and . He introduced the Armed Career Criminal Act of 1984, which imposed mandatory minimum sentences for felons possessing firearms, influencing federal sentencing guidelines and contributing to tougher enforcement against repeat violent offenders. His involvement in high-profile judicial confirmations, including opposition to Robert Bork's 1987 nomination and support for despite controversies, underscored his independent streak, shaping the Court's ideological balance while drawing ire from ideological purists on . The 2009 party switch from to , after 44 years in the GOP, temporarily handed Democrats a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority, enabling passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act but exemplifying the perils of cross-aisle maneuvers in primary-driven . Conservatives viewed the switch as opportunistic betrayal, cementing his image as a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) whose moderate votes—such as on rights and research—undermined party cohesion, with figures like challenging him successfully in primaries. Liberals, while benefiting short-term, criticized his inconsistent alignment, noting votes against key priorities like the public option in health reform and his late conversion after facing GOP primary threats. In retrospect, Specter's career highlights the challenges of institutionalist moderation amid rising partisanship; his 30-year tenure as Pennsylvania's longest-serving senator ended in 2010 with a Democratic primary loss to , signaling voter preference for ideological consistency over bipartisanship. His legacy endures as a cautionary tale for politicians navigating primaries, where cross-party appeals often fail, yet his procedural savvy in committees like influenced norms on nominations and oversight. Posthumously, analyses portray him as a who thrived on but rarely built lasting coalitions, with his switches—from Democrat to Republican in 1965 and back—reflecting pragmatic adaptation rather than ideological conviction.

Publications and Writings

Authored Books

Passion for Truth: From Finding JFK's to Questioning to Impeaching Clinton, co-authored with Charles Robbins and published on September 30, 2000, by William Morrow, examines Specter's pivotal roles in landmark events, including his formulation of the as a junior counsel for the investigating President John F. Kennedy's 1963 assassination, his cross-examination of during the 1991 confirmation hearings for Justice , and his vote to convict President on one article of impeachment in 1999 while advocating for a alternative. In Never Give In: Battling Cancer in the Senate, co-authored with Frank J. Scaturro and released in 2008 by St. Martin's Press, Specter recounts his 1993 diagnosis of stage IV brain cancer, subsequent surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, as well as his determination to maintain Senate attendance and productivity, including sponsoring legislation on cancer research funding. Specter's last book, Life Among the Cannibals: A Political Career, a Tea Party Uprising, and the End of Governing as We Know It, co-authored with Charles Robbins and published in 2012 by Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of St. Martin's Press), analyzes his April 2009 switch from the Republican to Democratic Party amid re-election pressures, the internal Democratic primary loss to Representative Joe Sestak on May 18, 2010, by a 54% to 46% margin, and broader critiques of ideological extremism and the decline of bipartisan governance.

Key Articles and Memoirs

Specter contributed several notable s to major publications, often addressing , policy, and legislative strategy. In a May 22, 1986, New York Times titled "How to Make Terrorists Think Twice," he argued for retaliatory military actions against , citing the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and proposing targeted strikes to deter future attacks while emphasizing proportionality under . On immigration reform, Specter wrote "A Less Ambitious Approach to Immigration" for on August 6, 2007, critiquing the failure of comprehensive legislation and advocating a scaled-back bill focusing on border security, employer verification, and a temporary worker program without full amnesty, based on his experience chairing the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration. In , he co-authored "Dialogue with Adversaries" in The Washington Quarterly (Winter 2006–2007) with aide Christopher Bradish, outlining a framework for U.S. engagement with , , and through phased diplomatic incentives tied to verifiable concessions on programs and support, drawing from his Committee oversight. Specter also penned a June 18, 2003, Washington Times asserting the U.S. war in as a "just war" under ethical and legal criteria, referencing historical precedents like and defending preemptive action against weapons of mass destruction threats despite post-invasion intelligence debates. These pieces reflected his pragmatic, centrist approach to contentious issues, frequently bridging partisan divides in print as he did in debates.

Signature Bills and Cosponsorships

Specter sponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (S. 471), which proposed expanding federal funding for lines derived from excess fertilization embryos, subject to ethical guidelines including donor consent. As the bill's primary sponsor, he advocated for its passage to advance medical research potential, arguing it addressed limitations in President George W. 's 2001 policy restricting funding to existing lines; the measure passed the 63-37 but was vetoed by , with Specter pushing for an override that fell short. In the realm of and prevention, Specter cosponsored and helped introduce the Reauthorization of 2005 (S. 1197) alongside Senators and , extending grants for victim services, training, and protections against while addressing constitutional concerns from prior rulings. As Committee chairman, he presided over hearings advancing the bill, which built on the original 1994 VAWA by enhancing tribal jurisdiction and immigration relief for victims; it was enacted as part of the and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-162). Specter sponsored the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 (S. 2035), intended to create a reporter's shield protecting journalists from compelled disclosure of confidential sources in non-fugitive criminal investigations, balancing First Amendment interests against exceptions. The bill advanced through committee but did not reach a full vote, reflecting Specter's long-standing defense of freedoms informed by his prosecutorial background. He also sponsored the Hospice Protection Act of (S. 3484), which sought to safeguard hospice benefits from improper payment recoveries, addressing provider vulnerabilities amid crackdowns. On veterans' issues, Specter sponsored S. 3444 in the 111th to extend the work opportunity for hiring certain veterans, incentivizing employment for era service members facing readjustment challenges; the provision contributed to broader tax relief measures. His cosponsorships often emphasized bipartisan health and appropriations priorities, including boosts to funding, such as securing $10 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for biomedical research amid his own cancer diagnosis. Overall, Specter's legislative record featured over 1,600 sponsored bills and nearly 4,000 cosponsorships, with emphasis on reforms, medical innovation, and targeted protections rather than sweeping overhauls.

Impact on Policy Outcomes

Specter's bipartisan support proved pivotal in enacting the (VAWA) of 1994, which allocated federal grants exceeding $1.6 billion over subsequent years for victim services, training, and prosecution of and cases, marking the first comprehensive federal response to gender-based violence. As Chairman from 2005 to 2007, he led hearings and co-introduced the 2005 reauthorization (S. 1197) with Senators Biden and Hatch, expanding protections to include immigrant victims and enhancing DNA evidence collection for sexual assaults, which passed and was signed into law as part of the and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005. These measures contributed to a reported % decline in against women from 1993 to 2010, per data, by improving coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. In health policy, Specter's December 23, 2009, vote supplied the 60th Senate tally required to invoke on the Patient Protection and (ACA), overcoming a and enabling its 60-39 passage the following day, which extended insurance coverage to over 20 million Americans by 2016 through expansion and subsidies. His April 28, 2009, switch from Republican to Democrat created a temporary filibuster-proof majority, facilitating the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009—a $787 billion stimulus package that included $144 billion in tax cuts and $288 billion in aid to states, credited with averting deeper impacts according to analyses. As Judiciary Chairman, Specter shaped judicial policy outcomes through oversight of confirmations, including rigorous questioning of on July 14, 2005, regarding executive power and interpretations, which influenced the 2005-2006 hearings leading to Roberts' and Justice Samuel Alito's approvals by margins of 78-22 and 58-42, respectively; these appointments shifted the Court's balance toward originalist jurisprudence evident in subsequent rulings on issues like and gun rights. His sponsorship of the USA reauthorization in March 2006, incorporating amendments for enhanced oversight of warrants, ensured its enactment with provisions that balanced expansions—such as roving wiretaps—with sunset clauses and judicial reviews, sustaining the law's framework amid threats. Specter's persistent push for expanded federal funding of , including introducing S. 5 in 2005 to repeal President Bush's 2001 restrictions, heightened congressional debates and appropriations—securing $90 million annually for non-embryonic lines under Bush—but yielded no enacted landmark bill during his tenure; however, his advocacy laid groundwork for President Obama's March 9, 2009, lifting the ban, enabling NIH funding for new lines and accelerating into regenerative therapies. Overall, his centrist positioning and committee influence amplified outcomes in , healthcare access, and , though his 2009 party switch drew criticism for prioritizing legislative leverage over partisan loyalty, ultimately costing him reelection in the 2010 Democratic primary.

References

  1. [1]
    Arlen Specter - Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
    SPECTER, Arlen, a Senator from Pennsylvania; born in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kans., February 12, 1930; attended the public schools; graduated, University of ...
  2. [2]
    Senator Arlen Specter - Congress.gov
    Arlen Specter, the Senator from Pennsylvania - in Congress from 1981 through 2011.
  3. [3]
    Senator Arlen Specter - The Common Good
    Jun 26, 2025 · Kennedy and helped devise the “single bullet theory.” In 1965, Specter was elected District Attorney of Philadelphia, a position that he ...
  4. [4]
    Penn Law community mourns Senator Arlen Specter C'51
    Oct 14, 2012 · He served on the Senate Judiciary Committee beginning in 1981, including as Chairman from 2005 to 2007, and participated in the confirmation ...
  5. [5]
    Specter: I'm not an automatic 60th vote - POLITICO
    Apr 28, 2009 · Arlen Specter has crushed Republican spirits while causing Democrats to rejoice, but his stunning party switch came with a warning label: ...
  6. [6]
    Specter Switches Parties; More Heft for Democrats
    Apr 28, 2009 · Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced on Tuesday that he was leaving the Republican Party to become a Democrat, bolstering President Obama.
  7. [7]
    [PDF] In Memoriam â•fi Arlen Specter: 1930-2012
    He had an illustrious career both as a senator and as an attorney. He died much too soon, at age 82, on October 14, 2012. Arlen Specter was born on February 12, ...<|separator|>
  8. [8]
    Biography of Arlen Specter
    Arlen J. Specter (February 12, 1930 – October 14, 2012) was a United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Specter was a Democrat from 1951 to 1965, ...
  9. [9]
    Arlen Specter - Ethnicity of Celebs | EthniCelebs.com
    Mar 1, 2016 · Arlen was the son of Lillie (Shanin) and Harry Aaron Specter. His parents were Jewish immigrants. His father was born in Bachkuryne, Cherkasy ...Missing: early Bertha
  10. [10]
    Arlen Specter, Former Senator, Dies at 82 - The New York Times
    Oct 14, 2012 · Arlen Specter was born on Feb. 12, 1930, in Wichita, Kan., the fourth and youngest child of Harry and Lillian Specter. Harry Specter, a Jewish ...
  11. [11]
    Arlen Specter, Senator Who Gave No Quarter, Dies - NPR
    Oct 14, 2012 · Born in Kansas, Specter grew up in the only Jewish family in the farming community of Russell. During the period, his father went door-to ...
  12. [12]
    Former senator Arlen Specter laid to rest | The Times of Israel
    Oct 17, 2012 · Arlen Specter trace his centrist political views to a childhood spent in the only Jewish family in Russell, Kan.<|separator|>
  13. [13]
    Arlen Specter (1930 - 2012) - Genealogy - Geni
    Feb 26, 2025 · Immediate Family ; Harry Aaron Specter. father ; Lillie Specter. mother ; Morton Specter. brother ; Hilda Morgenstern. sister.
  14. [14]
    Arlen Specter for Kids
    Oct 9, 2025 · His parents were Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. The family later moved to Russell, Kansas, where he finished high school in 1947.Missing: childhood date
  15. [15]
    Senator Arlen Specter to Teach at the University of Pennsylvania ...
    Jan 4, 2011 · Senator Arlen Specter to Teach at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Philadelphia, PA – Arlen Specter, the longest-serving U.S. ...
  16. [16]
    First Day Of Teaching Law For Arlen Specter At University of ...
    Sep 16, 2011 · The course is titled, "Congress, the Constitution and the Supreme Court." It focuses on the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justices.Missing: training | Show results with:training
  17. [17]
    [PDF] Arlen Specter: How a Jewish Boy from Kansas Became a Mediator ...
    Jan 25, 2023 · At the age of 18, Senator Specter's father Harry Specter, fled Russia from the czar's wrath13. Specter remembers his father recalling that ...
  18. [18]
    Arlen Specter | US Senator, Lawyer & Politician - Britannica
    Oct 10, 2025 · American lawyer and politician who was a US senator from Pennsylvania (1981–2011). Originally a Democrat, he became a Republican in the 1960s.
  19. [19]
    Air Force Office of Special Investigations - AF.mil
    Arlen Specter is a former AFOSI member, as was Rep. Herbert H. Bateman, who passed away Sept. 11, 2000. · AFOSI welcomes more than 230 new special agents ...
  20. [20]
    An Oral History of Arlen Specter - Philadelphia Magazine
    Nov 30, 2007 · After graduating from Yale Law School in 1956 and joining the Philadelphia firm of Barnes, Dechert, Price, Myers and Rhoads, Specter became ...
  21. [21]
    Q&A with Senator Arlen Specter - Penn Today
    Mar 3, 2011 · I went to law school at Yale and I had an interest in settling in Denver, where I worked for a law firm between my second and third years of law ...Missing: employment | Show results with:employment
  22. [22]
    Single Bullet Theory - Mary Ferrell Foundation
    The solution created by Commission counsel Arlen Specter was to posit that both men had been hit by a single shot which entered JFK's upper back, exited his ...
  23. [23]
    Andy Bloom: Remembering Arlen Specter on the 60th anniversary of ...
    Nov 22, 2023 · When I oversaw programming at Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Philadelphia, I met and had regular discussions with one of Pennsylvania's political giants, ...
  24. [24]
    The Magic Bullet: Even More Magical than We Knew - History Matters
    Arlen Specter, now the senior Senator from Pennsylvania, the theory is the sine qua non of the Warren Commission's case that with but three shots, including one ...
  25. [25]
    "Single Bullet: Arlen Specter & the Warren Commission Investigation ...
    Oct 24, 2013 · PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Single Bullet: Arlen Specter & the Warren Commission Investigation of the JFK Assassination," the inaugural ...
  26. [26]
    Recapping Arlen Specter's Political Career - NPR
    Apr 29, 2009 · Specter was re-elected as DA in 1969 but defeated for a third term in '73. In 1976, when GOP Sen. Hugh Scott decided to retire, Specter jumped ...Missing: tenure | Show results with:tenure
  27. [27]
    Letters: Appreciating Specter - Mainline Media News
    Oct 15, 2012 · When Specter entered office, the District Attorney had 51 ADAs. When he entered office, crime rates exploded because of the bulge in the ...<|separator|>
  28. [28]
    [PDF] Arlen Specter's Footprint on the Criminal Justice System in the U.S.
    These federal grants provided post- secondary vocational training for offenders who are within five years of their release to achieve a. GED or a high school ...<|separator|>
  29. [29]
    Criminal Justice - Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers
    During his tenure as District Attorney in Philadelphia, reform was a top item on his agenda. He tackled corruption in the courts themselves by prosecuting ...
  30. [30]
    [PDF] A Prosecutor's View
    A lengthy investigation of the magisterial system in 1964 and 1965 documented the rumors of corruption. The Report of the Attorney General on the.
  31. [31]
    [PDF] ,-'.:: ::i.:: If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at ...
    Pennsylvania Crime Commission's investigation of police corruption in. Philadelphia. This investigationwas begun in November, 1971 under the supervision of ...
  32. [32]
    Police Scandals Spreading - The New York Times
    Jan 28, 1972 · Police corruption, including charges of selling heroin, accepting payoffs from gamblers and procuring prostitutes, has been uncovered ...
  33. [33]
    Philadelphia: Republican Specter - Time Magazine
    As a lawman, Philadelphia's District Attorney Arlen Specter was almost to Blackstone born. He has officially been a law enforcement officer since the age of ...
  34. [34]
    UNION INQUIRY SET IN PHILADELPHIA; District Attorney Will Study ...
    Phila Dist Atty Specter pledges probe of alleged gambling in Teamsters Local 107.Missing: prosecution | Show results with:prosecution
  35. [35]
    The Law: Tough, Honest and Fired | TIME
    Dec 30, 1974 · He came to national fame when Pennsylvania named him special prosecutor to investigate the murders of Insurgent Mine Workers Leader Joseph ...Missing: key | Show results with:key
  36. [36]
    Timeline: Arlen Specter's career - POLITICO
    Oct 14, 2012 · Major events in the career of former Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, who died Sunday in Philadelphia at the age of 82.Missing: victories | Show results with:victories
  37. [37]
    1980 Senatorial Republican Primary Election Results - Pennsylvania
    Dec 6, 2011 · Senatorial Candidate, Political Party, Popular Vote. Arlen Specter, Republican, 419,372, 36.40%. Bud Haabestad, Republican, 382,281, 33.18%.
  38. [38]
    The Arlen Specter Career In Buttons : It's All Politics - NPR
    May 19, 2010 · 1965 -- elected district attorney in Philadelphia over incumbent Democrat Jim Crumlish. 1967 -- ran for mayor of Philadelphia as a registered ...
  39. [39]
    1980 Senatorial General Election Results - Pennsylvania
    Senatorial Candidate, Political Party, Popular Vote. Arlen Specter, Republican, 2,230,404, 50.48%. Pete Flaherty, Democratic, 2,122,391, 48.04%.
  40. [40]
    PENNSYLVANIA; SPECTER TURNS BACK CHALLENGER
    Nov 5, 1986 · Two candidates of the Consumer Party, Lance Haver in the Senate race and Heidi Hoover in the gubernatorial contest, trailed the major candidates ...
  41. [41]
    PRESSURE ON SPECTER INTENSIFYING IN PENNSYLVANIA
    Sep 28, 1986 · Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is well ahead in the polls. He has raised far more money than his Democratic opponent, ...<|separator|>
  42. [42]
    Judicial Nominations - Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers
    With his own legal background, Specter was immediately drawn to serving on the Judiciary Committee, which he joined upon first arriving in the Senate in 1981.Missing: assignments leadership
  43. [43]
    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Final Edition - GovInfo
    The majority party appointments on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs were as follows: Senators Simpson (Chairman), Thurmond, Stafford, Kasten, Denton, ...
  44. [44]
    Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers | Digital Pitt
    The Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers document Specter's career as the longest-serving US Senator for the state of Pennsylvania, from 1981 to 2011.
  45. [45]
    Previous Committee Chairman | United States Senate Committee on ...
    Arlen Specter served as the 47th Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, from 2005 to 2007. He was born in Wichita, Kansas, in 1930. He studied at the ...
  46. [46]
    Arlen Specter dies - POLITICO.com
    Specter was also a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, serving as both chairman and ranking members of the Labor-HHS subcommittee. Specter used ...
  47. [47]
    History - U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
    Following another major organizational revision in 1977, its name was changed to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. ... Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania.
  48. [48]
    Specter loses seniority on committees - POLITICO
    May 5, 2009 · Sen. Arlen Specter lost big under a resolution approved by the Senate Tuesday night: He won't be able to retain his seniority on five committees ...
  49. [49]
    Specter Switches Parties in Preparation for 2010 Campaign
    Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced that he is switching parties and will campaign as a Democrat in 2010, a decision that could bolster ...
  50. [50]
    New Leave Mandate Proposed as Part of Violence Against Women ...
    On June 8, 2005, U.S. Senators Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), Orrin Hatch (RUT) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) introduced the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2005 ...
  51. [51]
    Arlen Specter: A tenacious public servant - The Hill
    Oct 16, 2012 · One of Senator Specter's great successes was his battle to increase federal funding for research at the National Institutes of Health. Many of ...Missing: major achievements<|separator|>
  52. [52]
    Arlen Specter: A retrospective - PMC - NIH
    Dec 26, 2012 · His Senate career ended when he switched back to the Democratic column in 2009 to avoid an almost certain loss to a Tea Party candidate in the ...
  53. [53]
    Specter, the Senate's Man of the Hour : NPR
    From the Roberts Supreme Court nomination to the Patriot Act to stem-cell research, Sen. Arlen Specter is at the center of several high-profile issues in ...
  54. [54]
    https://www.npr.org/transcripts/6161830
  55. [55]
    Healthcare - Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers
    Specter chose to support the Act, providing the key 60th vote of approval in a Senate that split exactly upon party lines. About his decision, Specter ...<|separator|>
  56. [56]
    Arlen Specter and the Supreme Court | The New Yorker
    Oct 15, 2012 · Specter served on the Judiciary Committee throughout his three decades in the Senate, and was its chairman from 2005 to 2007.
  57. [57]
    The Original Sin of Robert Bork | Cato Institute
    Sep 9, 2020 · Republicans generally sided with Bork, with the exception of Arlen Specter ... Robert Bork's nomination was defeated 58 to 42 on October 23, 1987.
  58. [58]
    Specter legacy resonates on Supreme Court - NBC News
    Oct 14, 2012 · But in 1987, Specter's vote against the Bork nomination infuriated Republicans and conservatives, setting off an uncomfortable relationship ...
  59. [59]
    Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing ...
    Oct 24, 2011 · Former Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who played a leading role in the hearing as a Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee (in 2009, ...
  60. [60]
    Clarence Thomas Wins Senate Confirmation - CQ Press
    Voting for Thomas were Republicans Strom Thurmond, S.C.; Orrin G. Hatch, Utah; Simpson; Charles E. Grassley, Iowa; Arlen Specter, Pa.; and Hank Brown, Colo.<|separator|>
  61. [61]
    Judiciary Committee Votes On Recent Supreme Court Nominees
    Chairman Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania) - Aye Orrin Hatch (Utah) - Aye Chuck ... Robert Bork to be an Associate Justice. Committee voted 5-9 on October 6 ...
  62. [62]
    Sen. Arlen Specter opening Alito statement - NBC News
    Jan 9, 2006 · There is reason to believe that our Senate confirmation hearings may be having an effect on Supreme Court nominees on their later judicial ...Missing: pivotal | Show results with:pivotal
  63. [63]
    Alito Easily Wins Seat on High Court After Opponents' Efforts Fizzle
    13, Specter announced he would vote for Alito. Although Specter planned to hold the vote Jan. 17, Democrats used their right under committee rules to ...
  64. [64]
    Sotomayor Hearing Features a Newly Liberated Specter - Roll Call
    Jul 15, 2009 · Specter was responsible for shepherding the nominations of Chief Justice John Roberts in 2005 and Justice Samuel Alito in 2006, often sparring ...
  65. [65]
    Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter Switches Parties | PBS News
    Apr 28, 2009 · Specter, 79, said he plans to run for re-election in 2010 as a Democrat. The move puts the Democrats closer to a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority in the ...
  66. [66]
    BORK NOMINATION WILL BE OPPOSED BY 4 KEY SENATORS
    Oct 2, 1987 · The defection of the Republican, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, was seen as a particular blow to Judge Bork's nomination because he is a ...
  67. [67]
    IN THE END, BORK HIMSELF WAS HIS OWN WORST ENEMY
    Oct 23, 1987 · Two weeks later, Specter delivered his verdict. His decision to oppose Bork was a turning point in the bitter struggle over the nomination that ...
  68. [68]
    Arlen Specter on the Issues - OnTheIssues.org
    Oct 28, 2010 · Or click for More Info. Foreign Policy, Gun Control, Budget & Economy, Education. Homeland Security, Crime, Government Reform, Health Care. War ...<|separator|>
  69. [69]
    Specter Joins Nelson as Only Democrats Who Voted for 2001 and ...
    Apr 29, 2009 · Yesterday afternoon, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. First elected in 1980 as ...
  70. [70]
    https://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/07/nsa/index.html
  71. [71]
    The Threat of Bush's Signing Statements - Brookings Institution
    Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter held a little-noticed hearing in late June to air concerns about presidential signing statements.
  72. [72]
    Bush vetoes embryonic stem-cell bill - Sep 4, 2006 - CNN
    Sep 25, 2006 · The bill, which the Senate passed Tuesday, 63-37, would have loosened the restrictions on federal funding for stem-cell research. House ...
  73. [73]
    Congress Can't Override Bush Stem Cell Veto - NPR
    Jul 19, 2006 · Senator ARLEN SPECTER (Republican, Pennsylvania): My view is that we will have federal funding of embryonic stem cells. It's not a question of ...
  74. [74]
    Will Specter Turn Left? | Cato at Liberty Blog
    Apr 30, 2009 · Last week, Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter was one of the most liberal Republicans in the Senate. Today, he's the most conservative Democrat….
  75. [75]
    Specter criticizes administration on civil liberties - The Hill
    Jun 9, 2008 · Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) continued his sharp criticism of the Bush administration's record on protecting civil liberties in remarks before ...
  76. [76]
    Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter switches party to become ...
    Apr 28, 2009 · The defection by Arlen Specter, a veteran Pennsylvania Republican, puts the majority Democratic party closer to the 60 votes needed to pass most substantive ...
  77. [77]
    Specter switches parties to win reelection - CSMonitor.com
    Apr 29, 2009 · Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania rides the Capitol subway on his way to a press conference to announce his decision to switch parties – from ...
  78. [78]
    Specter says party switch driven partly by desire to keep seat - CNN
    Apr 29, 2009 · Arlen Specter, the longtime Republican senator who switched parties Tuesday, admitted Wednesday the move was driven partly by a desire to ...
  79. [79]
    GOP fall in Pa. sends Specter away - POLITICO
    Apr 29, 2009 · In the end, the reelection landscape was just too daunting for Sen. Arlen Specter. Too many Republicans have switched to the Democratic ...<|separator|>
  80. [80]
    Specter Switches Stories on Why He Switched Parties - Newsweek
    May 17, 2010 · "My change in party will enable me to be re-elected." —Arlen Specter, April 2009 "Look here, I had a clear shot at re-election.
  81. [81]
    Specter colleagues, political elites react to defection - CNN.com
    Reaction on Tuesday to Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter's switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party ranged from barely concealed glee to dismay ...<|separator|>
  82. [82]
    Senate Veteran Specter Loses Pennsylvania Democratic Primary
    May 18, 2010 · Five-term Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter lost a close primary challenge from Rep. Joe Sestak. “It's no surprise that people wanted change,” Sestak said.
  83. [83]
    Longtime Senator Arlen Specter Loses Bid for Sixth Term to ...
    May 18, 2010 · May 18, 2010&#151; -- In a symbol of the growing anti-Washington sentiment across the country, Rep. Joe Sestak defeated five-term senator ...
  84. [84]
    Sestak Winner In PA Democratic Senate Primary : The Two-Way - NPR
    May 18, 2010 · Rep. Joe Sestak has been declared the winner in the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary race, defeating Sen. Arlen Specter who was ...
  85. [85]
    Arlen Specter Loses Pennsylvania Democratic Senate Primary to ...
    May 19, 2010 · Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania's longest-serving senator, lost his bid to run for re-election as a Democrat to Rep. Joe Sestak, the Associated ...<|separator|>
  86. [86]
    The admiral sinks Specter - POLITICO
    May 19, 2010 · Rep. Joe Sestak knocks out Sen. Arlen Specter in dramatic end to Specter's 30-year Senate career.
  87. [87]
    Specter Defeat Signals a Wave Against Incumbents
    May 19, 2010 · Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania was swept away on a day that also saw Rand Paul, a symbol of the Tea Party movement, ...
  88. [88]
    Pennsylvania Senate 2010 - Sabato's Crystal Ball
    Crystal Ball Outlook: Leans R. Democratic candidates: Joe Sestak, congressman. Republican candidates: Pat Toomey, former congressman ...
  89. [89]
    Specter: 'I'm pro-choice ... But I don't make the decisions' - CNN
    Nov 9, 2004 · SPECTER: I am very much opposed to abortion personally. But I don't think it is the government's rule. But when you talk about overturning Roe v ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  90. [90]
    Senators Question Roberts on Abortion, Civil Rights | PBS News
    Sep 13, 2005 · Specter, a supporter of abortion rights, asked if the ruling was a “super-duper precedent” in light of efforts to overturn it. Roberts said, “ ...Missing: position birth
  91. [91]
    Arlen Specter on Abortion - OnTheIssues.org
    Oct 28, 2010 · Republican Sr Senator (PA). Voted NO on restricting UN funding for population control policies. Congressional Summary:To require that amounts ...
  92. [92]
    What's behind the Specter spectacle - NBC News
    Nov 17, 2004 · Sen. Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania Republican who supports abortion rights, is the last man social conservatives wanted in charge of the Senate Judiciary ...
  93. [93]
    Abortion Foes Dealt Setback By the Senate - The New York Times
    Nov 9, 1995 · Senator Specter and other abortion rights supporters argued that more time is needed to consider the issue's humanitarian, medical, statutory ...Missing: position | Show results with:position
  94. [94]
    Specter pushes stem cell bill - Politico
    Sep 13, 2010 · Arlen Specter (D-Penn.) introduced legislation Monday seeking to secure future federal money for stem cell research in light of an August ...Missing: contributions PATRIOT
  95. [95]
    S.Hrg. 106-413 — STEM CELL RESEARCH, PART 3 - Congress.gov
    The subcommittee met at 11:02 a.m., in room SH-216, Hart Senate Office Building, Hon. Arlen Specter (chairman) presiding. Present: Senators Specter, Harkin, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  96. [96]
    [PDF] Appropriations and Stem Cell Research Arlen Specter's Senate ...
    Sep 13, 2017 · In April of the following year, Specter reintroduced the Stem Cell Act to authorize embryonic stem cell derivation and research. Brownback ...Missing: PATRIOT | Show results with:PATRIOT
  97. [97]
    SPECTER DECIDES TO OPPOSE BORK - The Morning Call
    Oct 2, 1987 · Specter criticized Bork on two issues at once: softening his position for the confirmation hearings, and his interpretation of equal protection ...
  98. [98]
    Why I Voted Against Bork. - Document - Gale Academic OneFile
    At the end, having come to like and respect Judge Bork, I reluctantly decided to vote against him, because I had substantial doubts about what he would do with ...
  99. [99]
    Specter slams Kagan 'non-answers' but will vote 'yes' - NBC News
    Jul 15, 2010 · Sen. Arlen Specter says he will support the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court despite what he calls her "non-answers" to senators' ...<|separator|>
  100. [100]
    Specter Remembered for His Influence in Supreme Court ...
    Oct 15, 2012 · Former Sen. Arlen Specter, whose influence played out in in battles over controversial Supreme Court nominees, died Sunday at the age of 82. The ...
  101. [101]
    BREAKFAST WITH SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER - CIA
    Senator Specter began serving on the Senate Intelligence Committee in January 1985. Either Senator Specter or Senator Murkowski will become Vice Chairman of ...
  102. [102]
    United States Senate Committee on Intelligence, 1995
    Front row, from left to right, Bob Graham (D-FL), Richard Bryan (D-NV), Chuck Robb (D-VA), Robert Kerrey (D-NE), Arlen Specter, chairman (R-PA), ...
  103. [103]
    [PDF] REPORT UNITED STATES SENATE
    This report is the culmination of more than two years of re- search and analysis by the Committtee regarding the monitoring and counterintelligence issues ...
  104. [104]
    Sen. Specter on Congressional Notification Under the National ...
    Congressional Record: May 26, 2006 (Senate) Page S5324-S5325 CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION UNDER THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT Mr. SPECTER.
  105. [105]
    Roll Call Vote 107 th Congress - 1 st Session - Senate.gov
    Question: On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 3162 ) ; Vote Number: 313 ; Vote Date: October 25, 2001, 01:54 PM ; Required For Majority: 1/2 ; Vote Result: Bill Passed.
  106. [106]
    U.S. Senate approves revised Patriot Act - The New York Times
    Mar 3, 2006 · The chairman, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, voted for the bill, saying it struck "an acceptable balance." But, he said, "I want to put ...
  107. [107]
    Senate Clears Way For Patriot Act - CBS News
    Mar 2, 2006 · The Senate cleared the path for renewing the USA Patriot Act, swatting aside objections while adding new protections for people targeted by ...
  108. [108]
    Specter says Bush should share power over Iraq war
    Jan 29, 2007 · Arlen Specter today called on President Bush to forge an agreement with Congress on "sharing power" on the Iraq war, just as the Senate ...<|separator|>
  109. [109]
    Sen. Specter on Intelligence and Homeland Security
    Congressional Record: September 10, 2002 (Senate) Page S8431-S8433 HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002--Continued The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate resumes ...
  110. [110]
    S.1650 - 106th Congress (1999-2000): An original bill making ...
    Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Labor for: (1) training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans;
  111. [111]
    Senate Subcommittee Approves $145.7B Labor-HHS-Education ...
    Jul 13, 2005 · Subcommittee Chair Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said that the bill seeks to address previous reductions in funding for NIH research. He also called ...
  112. [112]
    Specter Bill Would Impose Flat Tax, Simplify Tax Returns. - Tax Notes
    Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., has introduced S. 488, which would impose a flat tax only on individuals' earned income and businesses' taxable income.
  113. [113]
    [PDF] Chairman Bennett and distinguished members of the Committee, I ...
    HEARING OF THE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE. “RETHINKING THE TAX CODE”. NOVEMBER 5, 2003. TESTIMONY FOR SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER. Chairman Bennett and distinguished ...
  114. [114]
    Pa. senators support bailout bill | 6abc Philadelphia
    Oct 1, 2008 · Specter said he recognizes the legislation is politically unpopular, and he's philosophically opposed to using taxpayer money to bail out ...Missing: stimulus | Show results with:stimulus
  115. [115]
    Senate passes $787 billion stimulus bill - POLITICO
    Feb 16, 2009 · Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania—voted for the bill. But with Sen. Edward Kennedy (D., Mass) ill with cancer, Brown became the needed 60th vote ...
  116. [116]
    Specter, a Fulcrum of the Stimulus Bill, Pulls Off a Coup for Health ...
    Feb 13, 2009 · In return for providing one of only three Republican votes for the stimulus bill, Senator Arlen Specter was able to secure a 34 percent ...Missing: bailouts | Show results with:bailouts
  117. [117]
    Specter calls vote 'perilous,' supports stimulus - Lancaster Online
    Sep 11, 2013 · Although Specter ultimately voted for the Stimulus Bill, he said it will be important in the future to have bills that can be studied and cross ...
  118. [118]
    Remarks by the Vice President on the Need to Invest in ...
    And I believe it's what's going to get our economy moving again. I also wanted to pay special tribute to Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, who have both made a ...
  119. [119]
    Specter says he will oppose labor bill - POLITICO
    Mar 24, 2009 · Saying he is the “decisive vote,” Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter has announced he will oppose the divisive Employee Free Choice ...
  120. [120]
    Sen. Specter Says He Now Backs Union Bill - CBS News
    Sep 15, 2009 · Pennsylvania Democrat Declares Support for Bill to Help Labor Unions in a Speech to AFL-CIO Convention.
  121. [121]
    Pennsylvania Senator Specter Opposes EFCA but Suggests ...
    Mar 24, 2009 · Senator Arlen Specter announced his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act as currently proposed. His vote was critical to the Democrats ...
  122. [122]
    Labor Groups Key in Pa. Primary - Roll Call
    Mar 12, 2010 · Specter and his allies have alleged that the vast majority of Sestak's staffers earn under the minimum wage based on the long hours they work ...
  123. [123]
    AFSCME Weekly Report 7/30/99
    Arlen Specter ... Forty-six senators voted to waive the point-of-order so it failed, but it put senators' positions on a minimum wage increase on the record.
  124. [124]
    Arlen Specter Stumbles into New Role as Judiciary Committee ...
    Jan 4, 2024 · Specter had earned the intense wrath of many conservatives when he voted against the Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork in 1987 and ...
  125. [125]
    Waiting For Specter's Next Move - CBS News
    Jul 15, 2005 · In 1987, he made the everlasting enmity of conservative legions when he voted against the Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork; he was ...
  126. [126]
    Fight on the Right | The New Yorker
    Apr 5, 2004 · “Arlen Specter is a liberal,” he said. “Across the board, he's much more likely to come down on the side of Ted Kennedy than he is on the side ...
  127. [127]
    Endless contradictions of Specter - POLITICO
    Oct 14, 2012 · Arlen Specter was one of a kind, a walking contradiction who could infuriate his colleagues one day and earn their admiration the next.
  128. [128]
    Arlen Specter leaves remarkable — and controversial — public record
    Oct 14, 2012 · He criticized the impeachment of President Bill Clinton saying he did not get a fair trial and voting not proven”, and he assailed the Bush ...
  129. [129]
    Party switching: courage or ambition? - POLITICO
    Apr 29, 2009 · Specter says the GOP left him. Republican leaders cast Specter as an opportunist besides. So which is it?
  130. [130]
    Arlen Specter was the rare Senator: Moderate, infuriating to both sides
    Oct 14, 2012 · Arlen Specter was the rare Senator: Moderate, infuriating to both sides ... criticized by liberals for his tough questioning of Anita Hill at ...
  131. [131]
    Specter, Sestak duel over troop surge - - POLITICO.com
    Dec 2, 2009 · The question is whether Democratic primary voters will reward Specter for his newfound progressive perspective, despite his past support for the ...
  132. [132]
    What Kind of Democrat Will Specter Be? - The New York Times
    Apr 28, 2009 · Senator Specter is highly likely to reprise the Joe Lieberman role for Democrats: a “Democrat” who leads the way in criticizing and blocking ...Missing: criticisms | Show results with:criticisms
  133. [133]
    Democrats Are Foolish to Humiliate Arlen Specter
    May 6, 2009 · Specter's switch did not go over well at all with some liberal organizations, who now object to the presumption that he brought with him the ...Missing: criticisms | Show results with:criticisms
  134. [134]
    https://www.c-span.org/video/?49838-1/senator-arlen-specter-presidential-campaign-announcement
  135. [135]
    SPECTER ENTERS '96 RACE
    Challenging his party's conservative tide, Sen. Arlen Specter declared his presidential candidacy Thursday warning President Clinton will win re-election if ...
  136. [136]
    AllPolitics - Arlen Specter - CNN
    BIRTH DATE: February 12, 1930 · PARTY: Republican · HOME: Philadelphia · FAMILY: Married to Joan L. · RELIGION: Jewish · EDUCATION: Univeristy of Pennsylvania, B.A. ...
  137. [137]
    Specter Presidential Campaign Suspension | Video | C-SPAN.org
    Nov 22, 1995 · Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) announced the suspension of his campaign for the Republican 1996 presidential nomination. Sen.<|separator|>
  138. [138]
    1986 Senatorial General Election Results - Pennsylvania
    Nov 9, 2007 · Popular Vote. Arlen Specter, Republican, 1,906,537, 56.44%. Bob Edgar, Democratic, 1,448,239, 42.87%. Lance S. Haver, Consumer, 23,470, 0.69%.
  139. [139]
    1992 Senatorial General Election Results - Pennsylvania
    Popular Vote. Arlen Specter, Republican, 2,358,125, 49.10%. Lynn Yeakel, Democratic, 2,224,966, 46.33%. John F. Perry, Libertarian, 219,319, 4.57%. Total Vote ...
  140. [140]
    1998 Senatorial General Election Results - Pennsylvania
    Arlen Specter, Republican, 1,814,180, 61.34%. Bill Lloyd, Democratic, 1,028,839, 34.79%. Dean Snyder, Constitutional, 68,377, 2.31%. Jack Iannantuono ...
  141. [141]
    Specter Wins Senate Primary in Close Vote - The New York Times
    Apr 28, 2004 · Sen Arlen Specter, four-term Republican known for centrist stands, turns back ferocious right-wing primary challenge from Rep Patrick J ...
  142. [142]
    2004 Senatorial General Election Results - Pennsylvania
    Senatorial Candidate, Political Party, Popular Vote. Arlen Specter, Republican, 2,925,080, 52.62%. Joseph Hoeffel, Democratic, 2,334,126, 41.99%.Missing: count | Show results with:count
  143. [143]
    A switch that didn't work: Specter loses - WHYY
    May 18, 2010 · So, Joe Sestak has been called as the winner in the Pa. Democratic Senate primary – now gaining nearly 53 percent of the vote, ...
  144. [144]
    Despite illness, Arlen Specter slated to co-teach law class
    Sep 5, 2012 · Former Pennsylvania senator and Law School adjunct professor Arlen Specter, 82, is battling cancer, but is still planning to teach this semester.
  145. [145]
    Arlen Specter - American lawyer, author, and politician
    Arlen Specter had a long and storied political career, most notably his tenure in the Senate from 1981-2011, the longest for any senator from Pennsylvania.
  146. [146]
    Specter Looks Ahead After 30 Years In US Senate - CBS Philadelphia
    Specter says he'll be teaching a class at the University of Pennsylvania's law school and is interested in doing commentaries on television or radio. He ...<|separator|>
  147. [147]
    Senator Arlen Specter to Teach at Penn Law • News & Events ...
    Specter, who left the Senate this month after 30 years in office and is a University of Pennsylvania alumnus, will teach a course on the relationship between ...Missing: activities | Show results with:activities
  148. [148]
    PhilaU officially dedicates the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service
    Sep 11, 2014 · In Dec. 2010, Specter donated his “his extensive archival collection, encompassing 50 years of public service” to the school. Fundraising ...Missing: philanthropy | Show results with:philanthropy
  149. [149]
    Arlen Specter Center - Thomas Jefferson University
    Arlen Specter was Pennsylvania's longest-serving Senator. Descriptive collection guides for all material in Specter's Senatorial Papers are available online.Missing: contributions | Show results with:contributions
  150. [150]
    Policy Over Party: The Legacy of Senator Arlen Specter
    In this exclusive talk for Jefferson, Textile, and Philadelphia University alumni, Faculty Director of the Arlen Specter Center at Thomas Jefferson University ...Missing: foundations | Show results with:foundations
  151. [151]
    Fellowships - Arlen Specter
    The fellowships highlight and raise awareness of the significant impact the late senator's work on American politics, criminal justice, healthcare policy and ...
  152. [152]
    Pitt, Philadelphia U. share Specter archive - University Times
    Mar 7, 2013 · Pitt and Philadelphia University have entered into an agreement to advance the preservation of, and access to, the late U.S. Senator Arlen ...
  153. [153]
    Specter archive collection to be shared by Pitt and Phila U. - WHYY
    Mar 5, 2013 · Specter, who died of cancer last October at the age of 82, donated his extensive archive to Philadelphia University in December 2010 as part of ...Missing: contributions | Show results with:contributions<|control11|><|separator|>
  154. [154]
    Arlen Specter Personified Growing Risk of Second Cancers - MDEdge
    Oct 29, 2012 · After that came diagnosis and successful treatment of a second brain tumor in 1996, and treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma in both 2005 and 2008, ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  155. [155]
    Biomedical Research Loses Long-Time Ally With Death of Arlen ...
    Oct 15, 2012 · In 2009, Specter ... He had a brain tumor removed, underwent bypass heart surgery, and was treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2005 and 2008.
  156. [156]
    Sen. Arlen Specter reflects on cancer battle - The Today Show
    Mar 18, 2008 · He said the bleeding ulcer was diagnosed in December 2003, and a rare intestinal cancer was diagnosed in March 2004. That February he had an ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  157. [157]
    Specter diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease - Feb 16, 2005 - CNN
    Feb 16, 2005 · Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease but intends to continue working during treatment ...
  158. [158]
    Specter's Cancer Battle - Newsweek
    Apr 2, 2008 · Sen. Arlen Specter, the five-term Republican legislator from Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2005.Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  159. [159]
    Sen. Arlen Specter's Hodgkin's Disease Returns - FOX16.com
    Specter underwent treatment after his first diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease in 2005. He has had a series of serious health concerns throughout his career, ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  160. [160]
    Arlen Specter released, has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - POLITICO
    Sep 7, 2012 · The 82-year-old Specter announced last week that he had again been diagnosed with cancer, calling it “another battle I intend to win.” Specter's ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline<|separator|>
  161. [161]
    Former Senator Arlen Specter diagnosed with cancer again - Reuters
    Aug 28, 2012 · Specter, 82, survived Hodgkin's lymphoma, or cancer of the lymphatic system, in 2005. His office also declined to comment on local media reports ...
  162. [162]
    Arlen Specter: I'm fighting cancer for a third time - NBC News
    Aug 28, 2012 · Specter battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma while in office in 2005, losing much of his hair while undergoing chemotherapy. He was treated for ...
  163. [163]
    Former senator Arlen Specter, 82, dies of cancer - Reuters
    Oct 15, 2012 · Specter had announced in August a recurrence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system. His son Shanin Specter confirmed his death ...Missing: cause | Show results with:cause
  164. [164]
    Arlen Specter – 'one of the few truly wild cards' – dead at 82 - CNN
    Oct 15, 2012 · He earned a bachelor's degree in international relations in 1951 from the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, where he graduated Phi ...
  165. [165]
    Political Giant Arlen Specter Laid to Rest - NBC10 Philadelphia
    Oct 16, 2012 · More than 1,000 family, friends, dignitaries, and colleagues paid tribute to former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter on Tuesday. NBC10's Christine ...
  166. [166]
    Arlen Specter Remembered By Fellow Politicians, Average ...
    Oct 16, 2012 · More than a thousand people, including Vice President Joe Biden, gathered today in Penn Valley to say a heartfelt farewell to former US senator Arlen Specter.
  167. [167]
    Specter remembered as 'undaunted' at funeral - WHYY
    Oct 17, 2012 · The 82-year-old Specter died Sunday after ultimately losing his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Vice President Joe Biden remembered Specter as always ...<|separator|>
  168. [168]
    Ex-Sen. Arlen Specter remembered for courage | ABC7 Los Angeles
    Oct 16, 2012 · "I've never seen as much undaunted courage as Arlen had - both physically and politically. He believed he could change the world, if he just ...<|separator|>
  169. [169]
    Arlen Specter's funeral features Biden, Rendell tributes
    Oct 16, 2012 · Among them was his longtime Senate colleague, Vice President Joe Biden, who introduced himself in the way he thought was most important: 'I was ...
  170. [170]
    Arlen Specter 'never walked away from his principles'; funeral today ...
    Oct 16, 2012 · “Arlen never walked away from his principles and was at his best when they were challenged,” said Vice President Joe Biden, who often rode home ...
  171. [171]
    Friends memorialize ex-Senator Arlen Specter
    Oct 16, 2012 · Specter died at his suburban home on Sunday at 82 after battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He had spent 30 years in the Senate before losing his ...
  172. [172]
    A Tribute to Arlen Specter
    Oct 19, 2012 · To honor Senator Specter for his tireless efforts in the fight against cancer, we presented him with the National Distinguished Advocacy Award, ...
  173. [173]
    Rep. Glenn Thompson Remembers the Late Senator Arlen Specter
    Oct 15, 2012 · 'My wife Penny and I are saddened by the passing of Arlen Specter. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones as we mourn the ...
  174. [174]
    At funeral, Specter praised for grit and determination
    Oct 17, 2012 · At funeral, Specter praised for grit and determination. Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter was eulogized Tuesday as a man of grit and determination ...
  175. [175]
    Former Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter remembered for 'intensity ...
    Oct 16, 2012 · Former Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter remembered for 'intensity, determination and grit' at funeral. Updated: Oct. 16, 2012, 8:43 p.m. ...
  176. [176]
    Arlen Specter | Pennsylvania Center for the Book
    Oct 14, 2012 · Senator Arlen Specter was born February 12, 1930, in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated in 1951 from the University of Pennsylvania and then served in the United ...
  177. [177]
    Specter Legacy Is Study of the Perils of a Switch - The New York Times
    May 22, 2010 · Senator Arlen Specter has left his mark on the issues of his time, but he may be remembered more for switching to the Democratic Party after ...Missing: post- advisory
  178. [178]
    Specter swings power to Dems - POLITICO
    Apr 29, 2009 · When Bill Clinton's presidency was on the line a decade ago, Arlen Specter famously sought political cover in the middle of the impeachment ...Missing: enduring | Show results with:enduring
  179. [179]
    Remembering Arlen Specter: A pugnacious life in politics - The Week
    Jan 8, 2015 · Arlen Specter was born in 1930 in Wichita, Kansas, the youngest of four children of a Ukrainian immigrant father. He grew up in the only Jewish ...Missing: background childhood date<|separator|>
  180. [180]
    Specter's first party switch - POLITICO
    Apr 28, 2009 · Arlen Specter's switch from the Republican to Democratic parties is shaking the national political foundation, but it isn't his first switch.
  181. [181]
    Passion for Truth: From Finding JFK's Single Bullet to Questioning ...
    Book details · Print length. 564 pages · Language. English · Publisher. Morrow · Publication date. September 30, 2000.
  182. [182]
    PASSION FOR TRUTH - Kirkus Reviews
    7-day returnsFROM FINDING JFK'S SINGLE BULLET TO QUESTIONING ANITA HILL TO IMPEACHING CLINTON. by Arlen Specter with Charles Robbins ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 2000. One too ...
  183. [183]
    Opinion | How to Make Terrorists Think Twice - The New York Times
    By Arlen Specter: Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, Is A Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. May 22, 1986. Share full article.
  184. [184]
    A Less Ambitious Approach to Immigration - The Washington Post
    Aug 6, 2007 · Arlen Specter. A Less Ambitious Approach to Immigration. August 6 ... article/2007/06/28/AR2007062800963.html in June will not be enacted ...
  185. [185]
    Dialogue with Adversaries
    Dec 9, 2022 · Arlen Specter is the senior Republican senator ... l Specter with Bradish. THE WASHINGTON QUARTERLY □ WINTER 2006-07. 18. Services Committee.
  186. [186]
    Byliner: U.S. War Against Terror Is a Just War, Says Sen. Specter
    Specter (The Washington Times 06/18/03 op-ed) (850) (This column by Senator Arlen Specter, who is a Republican from Pennsylvania, first appeared in the ...Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
  187. [187]
    S.471 - Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 - Congress.gov
    Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro ...Missing: notable Violence
  188. [188]
    Sponsor of Stem Cell Bill Says Senate Could Override a Veto
    May 26, 2005 · Senator Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania Republican and chief sponsor of a bill to expand federal financing for human embryonic stem cell ...
  189. [189]
    Specter: "Get Busy" on Stem Cell Research Bill - CBS News
    Sep 16, 2010 · A leading Democratic senator said Thursday that Congress should "get busy" on giving legal stature to U.S. government funding of human ...Missing: contributions PATRIOT
  190. [190]
    ACLU Letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee Regarding the ...
    Jul 27, 2005 · Dear Chairman Specter and Ranking Member Leahy, The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to mark-up the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) ...
  191. [191]
    [PDF] WOMEN ACT HEARING - niwap
    Arlen Specter [Chairman of the Committee] presiding. Present: Senators ... Since 1995, when the Violence Against Women Act was first intro- duced, it ...
  192. [192]
    Sen. Arlen Specter - Pennsylvania - OpenSecrets
    110th Congress Bills Sponsored by Arlen Specter ; S.3484, Hospice Protection Act of 2008 ; S.2035, Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 ; S.3272, NIH Emergency ...Missing: became | Show results with:became
  193. [193]
    Bills | Congressional Chronicle | C-SPAN.org
    A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the work opportunity tax credit for employers of certain veterans. Sponsored by: Arlen Specter, D-PA.Missing: signature legislation
  194. [194]
    http://arlenspecter.library.pitt.edu/committee-on-the-judiciary/criminal-justice/
  195. [195]
    - REAUTHORIZATION OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT
    ... Violence Against Women Act applies to domestic violence irrespective of gender. What efforts are being made by your Department to protect men as well as women?
  196. [196]
    Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter Presses Judge John ...
    Aug 12, 2005 · Now Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, Senator Specter is putting his expertise and experience to good use: He has sent a letter to Supreme ...
  197. [197]
    Arlen Specter - Wikipedia
    Arlen Specter (February 12, 1930 – October 14, 2012) was an American lawyer, author and politician who served as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania ...
  198. [198]
    Senator Specter Introduces Fix to Stem Cell Ban | Science | AAAS
    But Specter's bill goes further by citing the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which bans the use of federal funds to harm or destroy human embryos. Last month's ...