When the president acts in absence of a congressional grant of authority, he can rely only upon his own independent powers. When the president takes measures incompatible with the express or implied will of Congress, his power is at its lowest ebb. Arlen Specter More Quotes by Arlen Specter More Quotes From Arlen Specter Stability means respecting precedents. Arlen Specter stability precedent mean Pennsylvania is a very tough state; people don't last long in Pennsylvania politics. Arlen Specter pennsylvania long people 'Never give in' was my mindset. Arlen Specter never-give-in mindset giving My tenure in the Senate was really as an independent and whichever, regardless of party label. Arlen Specter labels independent party My definition of winning at squash is playing and surviving, and I've never lost a match. Arlen Specter squash definitions winning If you can get people to laugh, you can get people to listen. Arlen Specter ifs laughing people You know, a statesman is a dead politician. Arlen Specter statesmen politician knows I just was not going to subject my record to the bleak prospects of a primary election. Arlen Specter bleak election records It has been my experience that the hearings are really, in effect, a subtle minuet, with the nominee answering as many questions as he thinks necessary in order to be confirmed. Arlen Specter hearing order thinking Neither this nation nor this party can afford a candidate so captive to the demands of the intolerant right that we end up re-electing a president of the incompetent left. Arlen Specter demand party president The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision rejected Congress' findings and its method of reasoning, .. Is there any real justification for the court's denigrating Congress' 'method of reasoning'?. Arlen Specter congress decision real My change in party will enable me to be re-elected. Arlen Specter party No senator's vote, except for the declaration of war or the authorization for the use of force, is more important than the confirmation of a nominee for the Supreme Court for a lifetime appointment. Arlen Specter important use war I've never walked out of a room and had a disagreement as to what was said. Arlen Specter disagreement said rooms There is just no sensible, logical reason why we would not make use of stem cell research. Arlen Specter cells research use My father was an immigrant who literally walked across Europe to get out of Russia. He fought in World War I. He was wounded in action. Arlen Specter men war father We will submit legislation to the United States Senate which will...authorize the Congress to undertake judicial review of those signing statements with the view to having the president's acts declared unconstitutional. Arlen Specter united-states president views I would suggest respectfully to the president that he is not the sole decider. The decider is a shared and joint responsibility. Arlen Specter joints president responsibility Was the Vietnam conflict a war which should have, as a matter of constitutional law, required a declaration of war by Congress? Arlen Specter should-have law war I served as Chairman of the Intelligence Committee. Let me tell you, it's tough to find out what the CIA is doing. They led us astray on the weapons of mass destruction that they said Saddam Hussein found. We sent out Collin Powell, Secretary of State, former National Security Counselor, chief of staff, four star general, couldn't find it out. I'd be reluctant to cut into term limits. I think if the voters would become informed and aroused, they could impose the proper limits on the guys who ought to be out. Arlen Specter cutting guy thinking