It's a rarity when someone takes a political risk in Washington today in the public interest. Arlen Specter More Quotes by Arlen Specter More Quotes From Arlen Specter There's nothing more important than our good health - that's our principal capital asset. Arlen Specter assetshealthimportant We don't need holy wars. What we need is tolerance and brotherhood and simple humanity. Arlen Specter simplehumanitywar I'm battling cancer. It's another battle I intend to win. Arlen Specter cancerbattlewinning We have people there who do have substantial wisdom and substantial experience. And if they were confident enough to express their own views, that they wouldn't be bushwhacked by the party for casting a single vote like Bob Bennett was or like I was, they'd be willing to speak up and they'd be willing to speak their consciences and put their ideas on the line. But right now, there is timidity, there is fear that if they do that a single votes gonna cost them their job and they're not willing to make that kind of a sacrifice and they're not enough with the people. Arlen Specter sacrificepartypeople It's inspirational to see someone who is dying smile. Arlen Specter someone-who-is-dyingsmiledying I don't like labels. I think they conceal more than they reveal, sort of like a bikini. Arlen Specter bikinislabelsthinking 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. Arlen Specter partyoddsphilosophy What I would ask the leaders to do is to better understand the American people. I would insist that the leaders have town meetings and meet the people and listen to them and find out what is on their minds. Arlen Specter leadermindpeople I knew people were going to see me see deteriorate before their eyes. Arlen Specter eyepeople But one way or another, judges perform a very vital function in our society. They have a risky job and they are entitled to security. Arlen Specter our-societyjudgingjobs When the 14th Amendment, equal protection clause was enacted, the galleries in the Senate were segregated. Now we have integration. Arlen Specter galleryamendmentsprotection I'd make - before I'd elect somebody - I'd make him do town meetings and face the people and then I would insist that the person not run on a platform of no compromising. The meaningful thing that the leaders could do would be to be dedicated to a discussion across the isle, to vote their consciences and not to follow the strict party line. I think that would lead to sensible decisions. Arlen Specter partyrunningmeaningful The extremists took over the primary process. Arlen Specter primariesextremistprocess Americans' addiction to sports, with the NFL at the top, is based on the excitement generated by the potential for the unexpected great play which can only happen with honest competition from great athletes. Arlen Specter athleteplaysports I do come from a strong family. Arlen Specter strong-familyfamilystrong How many members of Congress go face the people in a town meeting and are prepared to answer questions from the floor. That to me is the real litmus test. Arlen Specter meetingsrealpeople I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans. Arlen Specter linespoliticalphilosophy The passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, recognizing the potential danger that the aircraft they were aboard posed to large numbers of innocent Americans, American institutions, and the symbols of American democracy, took heroic and noble action to ensure that the aircraft they were aboard could not be used as a weapon. Arlen Specter democracyweaponsnumbers If we had pursued the war on cancer which President Nixon declared in 1970, Jack Kemp might be alive today. Arlen Specter cancerpresidentwar I think a public official ought to follow his conscience as to what is in the public interest, not what will protect his job. Arlen Specter protectinterestthinking
