Quotes By Arlen Specter

In our social contract, we have provisions that see to it that you take care of people who need some help.

I've been playing squash almost daily for 38 years.

The essence of a democracy is a free electorate.

If we had pursued what President Nixon declared in 1970 as the war on cancer, we would have cured many strains. I think Jack Kemp would be alive today. And that research has saved or prolonged many lives, including mine.

I don't like labels. I think they conceal more than they reveal, sort of like a bikini.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes party asks too much.

I must say I am not pleased to have to arrange the Senate schedule around the availability of Senators who are running for President.

I don't expect people to agree with all my votes.

My mother, Lillie Specter, was an angel and totally uninterested in politics.

I am opposed to anybody making a decision for you or me or anybody else about what health care plan we should have.

As the Republican Party has moved farther and farther to the right, I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party.

We are not utilizing the Iraqi oil for U.S. purposes. We are not asking that the Iraqi oil be used to pay our military expenses. We are asking only that the Iraqi oil be used to rebuild Iraq - that is, to rebuild Iraq for the Iraqi people.

'Never give in' was my mindset.

The extremists took over the primary process.

I am very much opposed to abortion personally. But I don't think it is the government's rule.

I just was not going to subject my record to the bleak prospects of a primary election.

If enough people would come out the right wing, the extremists couldn't dominate.

Well, I believe that when you are confirming a United States Supreme Court Justice, that it really isn't Democratic or Republican; it's American.

There is no higher value in our society than integrity.

The best way to reduce the cost of medical care is to reduce the illness.

Effective security measures do not come cheap.

I really do not make deals.

There is no doubt that our nation's security and defeating terrorism trump all other priorities.

People in government and public life are being kicked around at a high rate of speed.

Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.

I think if you can get people to laugh, you can get people to listen.

Beating the tea party gang is more important than who does the beating.

Stability means respecting precedents.

My tenure in the Senate was really as an independent and whichever, regardless of party label.

American credibility in the war on terrorism depends on a strong stand against all terrorist acts, whether committed by foe or friend.