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Subscribe to RSSArlen Specter was an American original – a tough, scrappy and independent political leader. He was willing to anger people on all sides and was fiercely competitive, whether in the cloakroom or on the squash court. He was, at times, criticized for being opportunistic. His character and personality were shaped by a hardscrabble upbringing in Kansas, where his family was one of the few Jewish families. As a teenager in Russell, Kansas, he got to know another future senator and American original: Bob Dole.
Matt Rourke / AP
In this Monday, March 29, 2010, file photo, Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., leads a Senate field hearing, in Philadelphia.
I covered him for many years, from the time I started as a local radio reporter after graduating college in Philadelphia. That relationship came full circle a few weeks ago, when Specter, near the end of his life after defying the odds in multiple battles with cancer and other illnesses, reached out to me through an aide to do one last interview.
Why? He wanted to talk about the importance of funding the National Institutes of Health. Knowing he did not have much longer to live, Specter wanted his legacy to be his record of expanding resources for the NIH, the government agency he felt had extended his life and saved countless others. As a key Senate appropriator for decades, he was a fierce advocate for stem cell research, breast cancer funding and funding for Alzheimer's research. But despite his hopes, he wasn't strong enough to do the interview. His family wanted him to conserve his energy.
The veteran senator first entered politics as a Democrat, working as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia, where he'd been an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, before going to Yale Law School. After helping develop the "single-bullet theory" while assistant counsel to the Warren Commission - which concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald had acted alone in the assassination of John F. Kennedy - Specter returned to Philadelphia and switched parties.
A newly-minted Republican, Specter ran against his former boss, Democratic District Attorney James Crumlish in 1965 - Crumlish tagged him "Benedict Arlen." But Specter won despite an overwhelming Democratic registration edge. He went on to fashion himself a crusading prosecutor against the city's Democratic machine, convening multiple grand juries to go after Democratic office-holders.
I first covered his race for mayor in 1967: he barely lost, by about 10,000 votes. He was re-elected as DA in 1969 by an overwhelming majority, but lost re-election in 1973. When he finally was elected to the Senate - after losing statewide races for Senate and governor - Specter managed to anger both liberals and conservatives.
NBC's Andrea Mitchell talks to Msnbc's Alex Witt about former Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter who died from complications of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
First, his leadership on the Judiciary Committee against confirmation of Reagan Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork earned him the lifetime enmity of conservatives. Then, during the Clarence Thomas hearings in 1991, he angered liberals with his sharp cross-examination of Anita Hill. Criticism from women's groups jeopardized his re-election in the 1992 campaign, but a key political commercial taped by Teresa Heinz, the just-widowed wife of Pennsylvania Sen. John Heinz, helped him regain enough women's support to win that campaign. (Mrs. Heinz subsequently met and married John Kerry).
Back in the Senate - Specter was the leader of the coalition that defeated President Bill Clinton's health care legislation - with the use of complicated charts and graphs during a celebrated floor speech ridiculing the plan's complexity. But in 2009, he became the critical vote that helped President Obama win his stimulus package. That vote led to his party switch, one that did not help him survive a fiercely fought Democratic primary the following year.
After his defeat Specter taught at Penn's Law School - until he succumbed to his final illness.
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Rest easy, Arlen. Thank you for your service.
Arlen, R.I.P. -
he lost to a Tea Potty Senate favorite in a politial purge in 2012.
Politics is his life, and he loved politics. When his political career is over, life over.
He is a moderate Republican, a true gentleman. We should have more of this brand of GOP, not less.
"Salute" *****************************************
A Specter is now haunting the GOP - be moderate! Have common sense.
Correction to #1.1
Specter lost to a Tea Potty Senate favorite in a politial purge in 2010, not
2012.Ever since, a Tea Potty specter has haunted America.
Who's Andrea Mitchell?
Pfftt.
Spector was the epitome of the career bureaucrat, I guess he doesn`t have to worry about being reee-ellected again. Can`t switch parties when you`re dead, ehh?
BrianPatronie,
A little respect or decorum might be in order for his family...You may not agree with his position(s) on issues nor his decision to serve as long as he did. But your comments were crude and boorish.
You`re obviously not a resident of Pa. and as such didn`t have to live with his self-serving, backstabbing policies.
Sorry, Arlen Specter didn`t give a damn about anything except Arlen Specter.
Just a wee bit off topic here, aren't you Mind Games?
Well, it seems SOME on the right would never let a death get in the way of a rant opportunity.
BTW...Martha Raddatz works for ABC...not NBC. And if you didn't have your head so far up your backside, you might know that the last two presidential debates will be moderated by Candy Crowley of CNN and Bob Schieffer of CBS. Gee look Mom...nobody from that "dreaded" NBC...nobody at all.
But go ahead, why don't you have Mitt withdraw from the debates? That would spare us having to listen to his lies, backtracking, flip-flops or his feeble attempt to tack to the GOP moderate side.
You accuse him of getting political, then feed right into his trap. Nice one EWE.
Well, John Doe...I try to help out the clearly disadvantaged whenever possible, and he's obviously confused and overdue for some aid that doesn't appear to be available or coming from his side of the aisle.
Trap? No, I think not...more like an educating response. Perhaps he'll learn...perhaps not...perhaps he's a troll...who cares? If he'd had his rant facts straight to begin with, there would have been no response from me past the second line.
As for yourself, the correct abbreviation is "EWO". Three small 4-letter words and yet you have trouble assimilating the first letters of each correctly.
Oh well...
Specter was a demonicrat, and needed to go! the sooner the better! nothing but a lying politician, and Andra Mitchell should follow soon, she is a lying media obamaphenatic. NO amount of plastic surgery is going to keep her looking presentalbe forever! like her husband, just another petrified head.
"Are you OK" ?????????????????????
What a great man......republican turned democrat say's it all when it comes to intelligence, compassion, and fiscal responsibility!
Fiscal responsibility? Really? I guess I have lost touch with just how deaf, dumb and blind a devout Democrat really is.
A democrat turned Republican turned back into a Democrat. Couldn't make up his own mind and never changed anybody elses, but sure wasted a lot of tax payer money trying. Good Riddance. No loss.
My God, the man is dead and you can't refrain from flinging crap. You are real asses..Alan and the other jerks.
Rest in Peace Arlen. It doesn't matter what party you belonged to,you still served America.
@60's vet,
Rest in peace, Arlen. It doesn't matter which party you belonged to, you still served America.
Well spoken. If only more people felt that way...
Alan, I can imagine your pompous pose would look different if, instead of fighting for what he believed in, he simply toed the Tea Party line. You must be pretty young or you would remember Mr. S as the last of a dying breed of elected officials who took that oath of office seriously. I'm old enough to remember when there really were Good Guys in D.C. Actually remembered why they got elected. Mostly. When (okay, if) they get back to work, his cohorts will pause for a minute of silence, take time out to pass some sort of legistlation honoring him, then by the very next day, will be back, working very-very-very hard to not do any work.
Pat,
I believe that Alan like so many posters who submit rude/crude comments are probably very young and immature teenagers who frequent these sites just to generate a response out of normal individuals. In other words - he is a "troll". I may not have agreed with all of Sen. Spector's stances or positions but have to admire him for his willingness to work "across the aisle" and to tackle some tough issues i.e., Stem Cells, etc.
RIP Arlen you did good
While I certainly did not agree with him all the time, I have a great deal of respect for Arlen Spector. He legislated and evaluated the issues with an open, non-partisan mind, and acted on the basis of what he believed in. This country is in dire need of more politicians like Arlen Spector. RIP.
Thanks for your service. Does this mean your salary finally ends? Or does it continue on to your family for an undetermined amount of time?
Sorry for his family, but he never commanded any real respect from other than liberals and I was very happy to see him defeated.
As usual Larry -- your narrow minded, uninformed view of the world shows through. Arlen Spector was respected by such great Republicans as Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan and Bob Dole. He was a true American. He put country above party, above political labels. He understood that the basic foundation of this government is the ability to compromise. He was NOT an ideologue - and that's a good thing. If we had more people like Arlen Spector in the House and Senate and fewer propel like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan, this nation would be much better off.
you certainly are fond of making stuff up Charlie- Now I can understand a liberal like Bob Dole liking Spector, but Reagan disliked Spector who opposed Robert Bork whom Reagan had nominated.
And Goldwater had little to do with Spector. While they agreed for different reasons on abortion, Goldwater had no respect for the big government views of liberals like Spector.
I have no problem getting rid of McConnell whom I consider just another establishment Republican and not a true conservative.
but Reagan disliked Spector who opposed Robert Bork whom Reagan had nominated.
You seem to forget he backed Thomas. Unlike you Larry -- Spector was not a one answer fits everything ideologue.
Larry, I would love to be a fly on the wall at your funeral, when your friends and family share what they REALLY thought of you. Spector didn't vote ANY party line, he voted what he thought was best. His votes had impact one you and me, too. Now say thank you and go back to the football game.
The hateful comments here unfortunately do not surprise me. Hateful internet trolls love to anonymously post hate. I would love it if people's names and addresses were published, or at least their home towns. I have a feeling that the discourse and decorum would improve.
Arlen was a unique character. He did serve this nation well, worked hard at it, and was a devoted and loving family man. We should have such an epitaph as him. I didn't always agree with him, but I always respected him.
well Michael- I'll provide mine in an email to anyone who asks me.
Spector is now rotting in Torments until hell opens up the same as every other supporter of abortion.
Publish it Larry. Why limit to email? Surely you are proud of your hate. By the way, are you a Christian? If so, enlighten me on where in the New Testament it gives you, or any other mortal human, the power to know the fate of a certain individual after death? I think that Matthew 7, 1-5 sums up pretty well
murderers who are unrepentant go to hell. unless Spector repented on his death bed, that's where he is now. I didn't judge him and put him there. Nor does God. We judge ourselves when we reject what God directs.
I don't hate anyone. I speak what Jesus has taught us. speaking clearly and directly is always mislabeled as hate by those who lack any solid moral character. As Jesus said, "because they hate Me, they will hate you".
And Matthew 7 doesn't forbid judging. That is a common mistake by those who don't know scripture. As a pastor and theologian I can tell you that Jesus commands believers to exercise judgment on others.
In Matthew 7, Jesus does not forbid judgment, but warns to judge with righteous judgment by stating to be careful how you judge because we will by judged by the same standard. As believers filled with the presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)
This is confirmed by His statements in the books of John and Luke.
Jesus said in John 7:24 “Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously.” (Amplified Bible)
In Luke 12:57 Jesus said “And why do you not judge what is just and personally decide what is right?”
Echoed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:2,3 “Don’t you know that God’s people will judge the world? So if you’re going to judge the world, aren’t you capable of judging insignificant cases? Don’t you know that we will judge angels, not to mention things in this life?”
I don't hate anyone.
I speak what Jesus has taught us
obviously Charlie you wouldn't know the words of Jesus if they hit you in the face.
and like most liberals you conflate disagreeing with immorality and totalitarianism as hatred. I hate ideologies, not people.
You may know the words Larry...but it is without doubt you fail to grasp the meaning.
obviously Charlie you wouldn't know the words of Jesus if they hit you in the face.
I spent 12 years in religious schools Larry. Unlike you I, realize that Christianity is NOT based on hate and fear. And you do hate people who fail to totally agree with your narrow view of the universe. You may deny it but the hate is obvious to anyone who reads what you spew.
Gee Mikey, threaten people much?
Larry- Proverbs 16:18
I have ton of respect for Specter
I have ZERO respect for Obama sycophant Mitchell.
Yeah, right Andrea. You're full of sh1t. Specter was a flaming progressive liberal and always did whatever was best for his reelection, not what's best for the people.
Specter had no respect for the Constitution or the taxpayers.
Sorry, He is gone but politically he was a disgrace!
He was about himself not Country nor the Constitution.
Arlen Spector did more for this nation in a single day of his life than you internet trolls will ever do in your entire lives. The hate some of you have in beyond explanation or belief.
really Charlie? I'm a disabled Veteran from serving my country. Spector had no such distinction.
What did Spector EVER do to make this a better country.
So he was in Congress-- during my career I worked with members of Congress, the Pentagon, and NASA to help our country. But I would never say that made me better than most Americans like the arrogant charge you made about Spector.
really Charlie? I'm a disabled Veteran from serving my country
Larry -- I don't believe you're a disabled vet for one instant. I don't believe you ever worked with a member of Congress, the Pentagon, NASA or any of the BS you put out. This politician, historian, defense analyst, minister, disabled, vet gig you want us swallow exists mostly in your mind. Internet big-shots like you are a dime a dozen and cheaper than than on sale.
And I'll say it again Larry ---- Arlen Spector did more for this nation in a single day of his life than you internet trolls will ever do in your entire lives.
"And I'll say it again Larry ---- Arlen Spector did more for this nation in a single day of his life than you internet trolls will ever do in your entire lives."
You`re funny, how old are you, 12? Live in LA? Cleveland maybe?
You`re not from Pennsylvania, are you?
66, Denver
I`m 50.
I live in Pa.
Arlen Specter didn`t give a damn about anything except Arlen Specter.
Unfortunately the current group of republicans have driven out almost all members of their Party's moderate wing and it's a shame. As a progressive I always admired Spector and his centrist approach to governing and lament that it will be a very long time before we again see people like him occupying a seat on the right side of the aisle.
According to Betti Davis, you should always say something good about the dead. He is dead, GOOD!
looks like andrea mitchel and specter have a lot in common. both are 82 and both are brain dead.
Arlen Specter never gave a damn about anything other than Arlen Specter...
he had a long life unlike ambassador stevens. you people remember stevens cause nbc sure doesn't.
I am constantly amazed at the number of vets that show up on the message boards...It seems that everyone has either served in the forward combat zone or has Native American ancestry. Both have become rather popular in the last few decades...What's noteworthy is that the data does not support the claims i.e., very small percentage of our population actually served in the military. Especially when one factors in the number of soldiers who serve in the support role (logistics, etc.) and the actual number who are in a combat role.
I agree with Charlie in that it seems highly improbable that Mr. Robinson worked with Congress, Pentagon and NASA in a substantial role. Of course - there is an easy way to confirm this claim. Having worked for a very short time at LANL- I have a little knowledge of how the government works. Just post your position (Title & GS level) along with the group that you worked for/with.
The fact that the fanatics, the radicals, the crazies on both the right and the left hated this guy is an indication of what a good Senator he was.
guy was a freekin idiot, rivaled only by andrea's idiot of a husband who thought it was conceivable to force banks to buy people houses and they'll figure out a way to pay for it. idiots eulogizing idiots
Andrea Mitchell is an unprofessional political hack impersonating a media personality - she of course would love a traitor like Spectre. I hope he is in hell for his backstabbing of this country.
Oh please.... He was a politician... That means he was a lying, cheating crook who did whatever it took to stay in power..
We have a Congress full of the same scum....
Throw all 535 of these criminal out NOW !
Didn't always agree with Sen Specter but thank him for his service and being able to work with both sides.
RIP and condolences to your family and friends!
Larry Robinson quit voting for yourself, nobody else would vote for your hateful post's. Get some anger management! Da ta da if I only had a brain!
BrianPatronie, couldn't agree more. This guy was a self-serving, hypocrite who cared about nobody but himself and getting re-elected. Complete and total @!$%#! Good riddance to another GOP @!$%#!
RIP
Any time Andrea Mitchell writes an article or files a report about a political figure you can bet it's going to slam any republican and praise any democrat, especially if they're ultra left.
I know all media slants one way or the other but she is so obvious it's not even reporting. She just needs a show like Rush Limbaugh. At least he admits he's more entertainment and opinion than anything.
"Andrea Mitchell remembers Specter"
Andrea Mitchell the left wing extremist talking head.