Arlin Specter on EVERY Issue (His Voting Record)

ISSUES 2000 ^ | FR Post 11-11-04 | VARIOUS

[vannrox]

Table >

Arlen Specter on Abortion

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• Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
• Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on disallowing overseas military abortions. (May 1999)
• Rated 21% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)

Arlen Specter on Budget & Economy

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• Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
• Voted NO on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)
• Maintain & enforce existing spending caps in the future. (Sep 1998)

Arlen Specter on Civil Rights

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• Oppose gay marriage but support civil union. (Oct 2004)
• Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
• Voted NO on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
• Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
• Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
• Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
• Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
• Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
• Require 90 day delay for compliance before ADA lawsuits. (May 2002)
• Limit interstate class-action lawsuits to federal courts . (May 2002)
• Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)

Arlen Specter on Corporations

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• Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
• Rated 87% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)

Arlen Specter on Crime

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• Voted YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
• Voted NO on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
• Voted NO on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
• Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)
• Voted NO on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms. (May 1994)
• Voted YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994)
• Rated 63% by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation. (Dec 2000)
• More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)

Arlen Specter on Drugs

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• Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
• Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)

Arlen Specter on Education

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• Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
• Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
• Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
• Voted NO on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
• Voted YES on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
• Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001)
• Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001)
• Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001)
• Rated 36% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)

Arlen Specter on Energy & Oil

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• Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
• Voted NO on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
• Voted YES on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
• Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
• Voted NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
• Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
• Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
• Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy. (Mar 2004)
• Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998)

Arlen Specter on Environment

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• Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
• Voted NO on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
• Voted NO on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
• Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
• Voted YES on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
• Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
• Supports grants for brownfields remediation. (May 2002)
• Make EPA into a Cabinet department. (May 2002)
• Rated 32% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
• Focus on results, not regulation. (Sep 1998)

Arlen Specter on Families & Children

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• Voted YES on restricting violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
• Rated 81% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)

Arlen Specter on Foreign Policy

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• Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
• Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
• Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
• Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
• Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)
• Voted NO on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994)

Arlen Specter on Free Trade

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• Voted NO on establishing a free trade agreement between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on establishing a free trade agreement between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
• Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
• Voted NO on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
• Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
• Voted NO on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
• Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement. (May 2002)
• Rated 75% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)

Arlen Specter on Government Reform

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• Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
• Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions and corporations. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on continuing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
• Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
• Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)
• Reduce federal government size & scope, including military. (Sep 1998)

Arlen Specter on Gun Control

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• Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
• Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)

Arlen Specter on Health Care

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• Voted YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on allowing importation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
• Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
• Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
• Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
• Voted NO on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
• Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
• Voted NO on medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
• Invest funds to alleviate the nursing shortage. (Apr 2001)
• Tax credits for those without employee health insurance. (May 2002)
• Tax deduction for long-term care insurance. (May 2002)
• Support telemedicine for underserved areas. (May 2002)
• $350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors. (May 2002)
• Rated 12% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)

Arlen Specter on Homeland Security

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• Voted YES on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
• Voted YES on deploying missile defense as soon as possible. (Sep 1998)
• Voted YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
• Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
• Voted YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)
• Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)
• School assistance to survivors of injured federal police. (Oct 1996)

Arlen Specter on Immigration

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• Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
• Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
• English immersion over bilingual education. (Jul 2001)

Arlen Specter on Jobs

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• Voted YES on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
• Voted NO on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
• Voted NO on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)
• Rated 46% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a mixed record on labor issues. (Dec 2003)

Arlen Specter on Principles & Values

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• I'm in the center in this campaign. (Oct 2004)
• Religious affiliation: Jewish. (Nov 2000)
• Profiled in "Jews in American Politics". (Jan 2001)
• Member of the Republican Leadership Council. (Jan 2001)
• Member of the Republican Main Street Partnership . (Jan 2001)

Arlen Specter on Social Security

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• Considered Social Security privatization but saw it unwise. (Oct 2004)
• Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
• Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
• Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
• Voted NO on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)
• Rated 0% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Supports individual savings accounts and work incentives. (Sep 1998)

Arlen Specter on Tax Reform

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• Voted YES on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
• Voted YES on cutting taxes by $1.35 trillion over 11 years. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on $792B tax cuts. (Jul 1999)
• Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
• Voted NO on FY99 tax cuts. (Apr 1998)
• Rated 65% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
• Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts. (Sep 1998)

Arlen Specter on Technology

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• Voted NO on disallowing FCC approval of larger media conglomerates. (Sep 2003)
• Voted NO on Internet sales tax moratorium. (Oct 1998)
• Voted YES on telecomm deregulation. (Feb 1996)

Arlen Specter on War & Peace

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• Voted YES on $86.5 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
• Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
• Voted YES on allowing all necessary forces and other means in Kosovo. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
• Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
• Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism. (Jan 2002)
• Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)

Arlen Specter on Welfare & Poverty

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• Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
• Voted YES on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)
• Tax credits to promite home ownership in distressed areas. (Apr 2003)

VoteMatch Responses (Click here for VoteMatch quiz)
VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background)	Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Opposes topic 1:Abortion is a woman's right (2 points on Social scale)	Rated 21% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 1 Expand embryonic stem cell research: Favors topic 1 NO on disallowing overseas military abortions: Favors topic 1 YES on banning partial birth abortions: Strongly Opposes topic 1 NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions: Favors topic 1 YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life: Strongly Opposes topic 1 YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime: Opposes topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2:Require companies to hire more women & minorities (0 points on Economic scale)	NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds: Strongly Favors topic 2 YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation: Strongly Favors topic 2 NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business: Strongly Favors topic 2 YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women: Favors topic 2
No opinion on topic 3:Sexual orientation protected by civil rights laws (5 points on Social scale)	Oppose gay marriage but support civil union: Opposes topic 3 More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3 YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3 YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation: Strongly Favors topic 3 YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation: Favors topic 3 NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes: Strongly Opposes topic 3
Favors topic 4:Permit prayer in public schools (2 points on Social scale)	Rated 81% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record: Strongly Favors topic 4 NO on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer: Opposes topic 4 YES on $75M for abstinence education: Strongly Favors topic 4 YES on restricting violent videos to minors: Neutral topic 4
Favors topic 5:More federal funding for health coverage (2 points on Economic scale)	Invest funds to alleviate the nursing shortage: Favors topic 5 Tax credits for those without employee health insurance: Strongly Favors topic 5 $350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors: Favors topic 5 Rated 12% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 5 NO on medical savings acounts: Opposes topic 5 NO on Medicare means-testing: Favors topic 5 NO on limiting self-employment health deduction: Favors topic 5 YES on Unknown roll call for 1999-76: Favors topic 5 NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare: Opposes topic 5 YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit: Opposes topic 5 YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit: Favors topic 5
Favors topic 6:Privatize Social Security (7 points on Economic scale)	Considered Social Security privatization but saw it unwise: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Rated 0% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record: Strongly Favors topic 6 Supports individual savings accounts and work incentives: Favors topic 6 NO on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes: Opposes topic 6 YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees: Favors topic 6 YES on allowing personal retirement accounts: Favors topic 6
Strongly Favors topic 7:Parents choose schools via vouchers (10 points on Social scale)	Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable: Favors topic 7 Rated 36% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education: Neutral on topic 7 YES on school vouchers in DC: Strongly Favors topic 7 YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules: Strongly Favors topic 7 YES on Educational Savings Accounts: Favors topic 7 NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors: Favors topic 7 NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors: Favors topic 7
Favors topic 8:Death Penalty (2 points on Social scale)	YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals: Favors topic 8 YES on limiting death penalty appeals: Favors topic 8
Opposes topic 9:Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws (7 points on Social scale)	Rated 63% by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation: Neutral on topic 9 NO on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms: Strongly Opposes topic 9 YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations: Favors topic 9 YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program: Opposes topic 9
Favors topic 10:Absolute right to gun ownership (7 points on Social scale)	YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks: Strongly Favors topic 10 YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows: Favors topic 10 NO on background checks at gun shows: Strongly Favors topic 10 NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Opposes topic 11:Decrease overall taxation of the wealthy (2 points on Economic scale)	Rated 65% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes: Neutral on topic 11 Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts: Opposes topic 11 NO on Internet sales tax moratorium: Opposes topic 11 NO on FY99 tax cuts: Strongly Opposes topic 11 NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes: Opposes topic 11 NO on $792B tax cuts: Opposes topic 11 YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty': Favors topic 11 NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts: Opposes topic 11 NO on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates: Favors topic 11 YES on cutting taxes by $1.35 trillion over 11 years: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction: Opposes topic 11 YES on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years: Strongly Favors topic 11
Favors topic 12:Immigration helps our economy-encourage it (7 points on Economic scale)	English immersion over bilingual education: Opposes topic 12 NO on limit welfare for immigrants: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on visas for skilled workers: Favors topic 12
Favors topic 13:Support & expand free trade (7 points on Economic scale)	Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement: Strongly Favors topic 13 Rated 75% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record: Strongly Favors topic 13 NO on Unknown roll call for 1997-292: Opposes topic 13 NO on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority: Opposes topic 13 YES on expanding trade to the third world: Favors topic 13 NO on removing common goods from national security export rules: Opposes topic 13 YES on extending free trade to Andean nations: Strongly Favors topic 13 NO on establishing a free trade agreement between US & Singapore: Opposes topic 13 YES on establishing a free trade agreement between the US and Chile: Favors topic 13
Favors topic 14:Link human rights to trade with China (2 points on Social scale)	NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons: Favors topic 14 NO on permanent normal trade relations with China: Strongly Favors topic 14 YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam: Opposes topic 14
Strongly Favors topic 15:More spending on armed forces (0 points on Economic scale)	Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism: Favors topic 15 Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record: Strongly Favors topic 15 Reduce federal government size & scope, including military: Opposes topic 15 YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations: Favors topic 15 YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects: Strongly Favors topic 15 NO on allowing another round of military base closures: Favors topic 15 YES on military pay raise of 4.8%: Strongly Favors topic 15
Opposes topic 16:Reduce spending on missile defense (Star Wars) (7 points on Economic scale)	YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty: Opposes topic 16 YES on deploying missile defense as soon as possible: Opposes topic 16 YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels: Opposes topic 16 YES on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Favors topic 16 YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP: Strongly Opposes topic 16
Favors topic 17:Seek UN approval for military action (2 points on Economic scale)	YES on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech: Opposes topic 17 YES on $17.9 billion to IMF: Favors topic 17 YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion: Opposes topic 17 YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo: Neutral topic 17 YES on allowing all necessary forces and other means in Kosovo: Neutral topic 17 YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe: Strongly Favors topic 17
No opinion on topic 18:Reduce use of coal, oil, & nuclear energy (5 points on Economic scale)	Make EPA into a Cabinet department: Strongly Favors topic 18 Rated 32% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy: Strongly Favors topic 18 Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases: Strongly Favors topic 18 NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline: Favors topic 18 NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests: Opposes topic 18 YES on defunding renewable and solar energy: Strongly Opposes topic 18 NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards: Favors topic 18 YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling: Opposes topic 18 YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior: Opposes topic 18 YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months: Strongly Opposes topic 18 YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010: Strongly Favors topic 18 NO on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill: Opposes topic 18
Favors topic 19:Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it (2 points on Social scale)	YES on spending international development funds on drug control: Strongly Favors topic 19 YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations: Favors topic 19 NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses: Opposes topic 19
Favors topic 20:Allow churches to provide welfare services (2 points on Social scale)	YES on welfare overhaul: Favors topic 20 YES on allowing state welfare waivers: Favors topic 20 YES on eliminating block grants for food stamps: Opposes topic 20 YES on welfare block grants: Favors topic 20

Arlen Specter is a Moderate Liberal Populist.
Click here for explanation of political philosophy.
Click here for VoteMatch quiz.

[EdReform]

BTTT

[Texas Eagle]

The issue is not Specter's voting record. The issue is Specter throwing down the gauntlet the day after President Bush was re-elected.

[OXENinFLA]

WOW!

[Bommer]

The issue is not Specter's voting record.

Perhaps not, but it gives the clearest possible picture of someone who wants to appoint judges. His record on voting is simular to Kerry's.

[TomGuy]

SPECTER supported subjecting our troops to trials by the International Criminal Court (ICC)!

Posted by k2blader On News/Activism 11/10/2004 4:34:50 PM CST · 61 replies · 747+ views U.S. Senate Website ^ | November 10, 2004 | k2blader On June 6, 2002, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) voted against adding the American Servicemembers' Protection Act (ASPA) to the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States. Source The ASPA is "a bill to protect United States military personnel and other elected and appointed officials of the United States Government against criminal prosecution by an international criminal court to which the United States is not a party." Source --- Essentially, Specter is on record as being the only Republican Senator to vote in support of subjecting our military men and women...

[NativeNewYorker]

Lifetime rankings: American Conservative Union, 43; Americans for Democratic Action, 59.

Nuff said.

[Always Right]

Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)

However, Specter voted against Partial Birth Abortion when it first came up in 1995 and Clinton vetoed it. So you could say he voted for it before it voted against it. The problem with Specter is despite some of his more recent votes, we know where is heart is and it is a Liberal Living Document interpretation of the Constitution. Specter's legacy is to be the man who saved protect Roe v. Wade. So don't be mislead by some votes that make it appear he is not that bad of a guy. Specter has articulated his agenda many times in the past and it is to beat conservatives.

[MB6.3]

This Specter issue is a danger to us. I won’t call it radioactive but the “danger Will Robinson” sounds should be ringing in our ears. If we overplay Arlen’s comments and rally the troops to deny him the chairmanship there are major risks. The risks outweigh any possible rewards here.

The only upside is we make a point. Great, but a Pyrrhic victory at best. The downside on this “victory” is we expend and waste a ton of momentum and popular support. Bashing Specter makes us look petty, small, narrow minded and poor winners. (This is not to suggest we adopt the Dim notion that while winning we have to reach out to them and “moderate” positions.) MSM will go nuts and donation to NARL, Planned Parenthood and other “choice” PACs go through the roof.

Specter has been taken to the woodshed by the Bush team. Allowing him to assume the Chair does (IMHO) a couple good things. First and foremost, he owes his political life to GWB. As we all know, if not for GWB Pat Toomey’s in the Senate. GWB hold major chips with this guy and, while a royal PITB, Specter ain’t stupid. Secondly, if Specter pushes a nominee, most MSM is going to view that nominee as a “moderate” because of Specter’s history. The nominee may in fact not be that moderate, but Arlen’s stamp on it is going to give it the benefit of the doubt. I don’t think we’re talking about any David Souter’s here.

My 2 cents worth, but I’m concerned we end up looking like a bunch of knuckle-draggin’, mouth breathing nimrods.

[TheBattman]

I see a Kerry-esque pattern - quite a few flip-flops.

[Egon]

Good information. Thanks!

[Taggart_D]

It seems to me that Specter has realized the FReeper threat, as I've seen some attempts lately to help him out.

Bring it on Mr. Specter. However, I believe the information below deserves reposting on this thread. I copied it from someone else.

---

Senator Specter has an Agenda — Liberal Judges “President Bush ran forthrightly on a clear agenda for this nation’s future, and the nation responded by giving him a mandate.” – Remarks by Vice President Cheney introducing President Bush for his victory speech, Ronald Reagan Building, November 3, 2004.

President Bush’s margin of victory proves that we “have a narrowly divided country, and that’s not a traditional mandate…the number-one item on my agenda is to try to move the party to the center.” – Sen. Arlen Specter, November 3, 2004.

Senator Arlen Specter's shocking comments the day after President Bush's decisive re-election raise troubling concersn

Specter denied the legitimacy of President Bush’s historic mandate.


Specter announced a pro-abortion litmus test for the president’s judicial nominees. Specter claims that Roe v. Wade is “inviolate” and insists that “nobody can be confirmed today who does not agree with it.”


Specter’s illegal litmus test would disqualify all constitutionalist nominees from serving on the Supreme Court of the United States and the lower federal courts.


Specter’s illegal litmus test demands that all nominees violate the canons of judicial ethics by announcing or pledging how they will vote in a particular case.


Specter will not promise to support the President’s nominees. Instead, he merely “hopes” that he can support them. The day after the election, when a reporter asked Specter if he would support the president’s nominees, the senator hesitated and equivocated: “I am hopeful that I’ll be able to do that. That obviously depends upon the president’s judicial nominees. I’m hopeful that I can support them.”


Specter criticized President Bush’s first-term judicial nominees: “The nominees whom I supported in committee, I had reservations on.”


Specter insulted Janice Rogers Brown, president Bush’s nominee to the important U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. Specter referred to Brown, a distinguished conservative and the first African American woman to serve on the California Supreme Court, as “the woman judge out of California” who he had reservations about.


Specter insulted the entire Supreme Court of the United States, including Chief Justice Rehnquist and Justices Scalia and Thomas. When a reporter asked Specter “Are you saying that there is not greatness” on the Supreme Court, Specter replied: “Yes. Can you take yes for an answer?”


Specter’s comments reveal that, like Sen. Kerry and Sen. Daschle, Specter favors judges who follow politics and popular opinion, not the Constitution and the rule of law.


Specter accused President Bush of ignoring the Senate’s advise and consent role: “The Constitution has a clause called advise and consent, the advise part is traditionally not paid a whole lot of attention to, I wouldn’t say quite ignored, but close to that.”


Specter wants to encroach upon the president’s appointment power. Obstructionist Democrats filibustered ten of President Bush’s appeals court nominees. Now Specter wants the Senate to become MORE involved in judicial appointments: “My hope is that the Senate will be more involved in expressing our views.”


Specter's record over the last 20 years demonstrated a pattern of very troubling conduct on Judiciary Committee issues


SIGN THE PETITION
Specter fought against the distinguished Judge Robert H. Bork, betraying President Reagan and his fellow Republicans.


Specter voted against Judge Bork on the judiciary committee, and against Bork’s confirmation on the Senate floor. By joining liberal Democratic senators and radical left-wing groups in their opposition to Judge Bork, Specter gave those groups aid and comfort, and was instrumental in Judge Bork’s defeat.


Judge Bork warned Americans that Specter does not understand the Constitution and that Specter, along with Senate Democrats “professed horror at the thought that a judge must limit his rulings to the principles in the actual Constitution.”


President Ronald Reagan called the left-wing assault against Judge Bork “an unprecedented political attack” on a Supreme Court nominee and “a tragedy for our country.” Specter rebuffed President Reagan’s plea to support Judge Bork.


Specter helped defeat the nomination of conservative Jeff Sessions for a federal judgeship.


Specter warned filibustered appeals court nominee William Pryor that just because he voted for him on the committee did not mean that he would vote on the Senate floor for his confirmation.


The “National Review” exposed Specter as “The Worst Republican Senator” in a prominent September 1, 2003 cover story. According to “National Review,” Specter “is not a team player…is an abortion rights absolutist, a dogged advocate of racial preferences, a bitter foe of tax reform, a firm friend of the International Criminal Court.”


Specter refuses to support the elevation of Justice Clarence Thomas to Chief Justice: “I’d have to think about that,” Specter equivocated. Ditto for Justice Antonin Scalia: “I’d have to think about that too.” Specter once slandered Justice Thomas as a “disappointment.”


The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee must be someone devoted to the Constitution as written and the rule of law

The situation is urgent. Chief Justice Rehnquist is gravely ill. A Supreme Court vacancy is imminent.

President Bush may be called upon to nominate a Supreme Court justice within the next several weeks.

Court watchers predict as many as three Supreme Court vacancies during President Bush’s second term.

President Bush will likely have a historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to return the Supreme Court to constitutionalist principles.

The President needs as chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee a loyal, reliable, conservative partner who will shepherd his nominees through the confirmation process.


Under intense political pressure, Specter tried to recant portions of his post-election statements the day after he uttered them. That means nothing. His 20-year record of party disloyalty and tormenting conservative nominees means everything.

As chairman, Specter will act as a vexatious intermeddler, second-guessing President Bush’s Supreme Court and lower court nominations. This imperils the President’s legacy.

Under the Senate’s seniority rules, Specter is slated to take over the Judiciary Committee, but under Senate rules and procedures, he can be stopped from becoming committee chairman.

The window of opportunity to stop Specter is limited. Once he becomes chairman, it will be impossible to unseat him.

Contact Senator Frist
202-224-3135

Contact Senator Santorum
202-224-6324

Tell them in no uncertain terms that Specter cannot be made Senate Judiciary Chairman

Do NOT take "no" for an answer!



Bush has no Mandate?

Just say "NO" To Specter's Games!

Senate Judiciary Committee GOP Members

Contact Senator Orrin Hatch
202-224-5251

Contact Senator Charles Grassley
202-224-3744

Contact Senator Jon Kyl
202-224-4521

Contact Senator Mike DeWine
202-224-2315

Contact Senator Jeff Sessions
202-224-4124

Contact Senator Lindsey Graham
202-224-5972

Contact Senator Larry Craig
202-224-2752

Contact Senator Saxby Chambliss
202-224-3521

Contact Senator John Cornyn
202-224-2934

[ElectionTracker]

"First and foremost, he owes his political life to GWB."

So? It's too late for Bush to get rid of Specter. Do you think that Specter's going to say "Oh, you were so nice to me so I'm going to set my agenda aside and support your nominees."?

"Secondly, if Specter pushes a nominee, most MSM is going to view that nominee as a "moderate"; because of Specter's history."

Anyone Bush nominates is going to be portrayed as an extremist by the MSM whether he is one or not. If the nominee is conservative, Specter will oppose him and the MSM will say "This nominee is so extreme that even Republicans don't like him." like Kerry did portaying Chaffee as "Republicans". If the nominee is liberal, Specter will support him and the MSM will say "Senate Republicans were quick to rally around the President's nominee."

[Brandon]

Well said. And remember, Specter has promised:

Hearings within 30 days for all Bush nominees

An up-down vote in committee within 30 days after the hearings

An up-down floor vote within 30 days after the committee vote. (Obviously, Specter cannot guarantee this last item, since it depends on Dem filibusters, but it implies a pledge by Specter to vote to break any such filibusters)

I don't think you can expect much more from a committee chairman. Remember also that Specter has voted to confirm all of Bush's nominees so far, including pro-life nominees.

[chainsaw]

Specter’s comments reveal that, like Sen. Kerry and Sen. Daschle, Specter favors judges who follow politics and popular opinion, not the Constitution and the rule of law.

A clear violation of his oath of office. It also explains why he is quoting ancient Scottish law as a basis for his decisions in the senate.

We cannot afford to spend as much energy as we have on this election, and have this democrat(Specter) put into the most important chairmanship position in the government.

I read the other day that the senate is a gentlemans club and you don't passover someone for a chairmanship. So much for the gentlemans agreements. They didn't care when they were refusing to give judicial nominees an up or down vote as the constitution mandates.

[RockinRight]

Even Chaffee's ACU rating is better, isn't it?

[blasater1960]

They dont call him Arlin Sphincter for nothing.

[Cedar]

That Specter received donations from Soros spells it out plainly for all to see. Specter cannot be trusted.

Soros knew Specter might get the Chair if he could defeat Toomey. Specter was BACKED FINANCIALLY by the most ardent opposer of conservative causes.

Quote from the article about it during campaign:

"As Jim Geraghty reported on NRO last week, Soros, a wealthy Manhattan financier, donated $50,000 to the Republican Mainstream Partnership (RMP). This contribution will help this group of self-described moderate Republicans bolster Specter's effort to win Pennsylvania's hotly contested GOP Senate primary against pro-market stalwart Congressman Pat Toomey"

[reformed_democrat]

The risks outweigh any possible rewards here.

The downside on this “victory” is we expend and waste a ton of momentum and popular support. Bashing Specter makes us look petty, small, narrow minded and poor winners.

First and foremost, he owes his political life to GWB.

. . . if Specter pushes a nominee, most MSM is going to view that nominee as a “moderate” because of Specter’s history. The nominee may in fact not be that moderate, but Arlen’s stamp on it is going to give it the benefit of the doubt.

I’m concerned we end up looking like a bunch of knuckle-draggin’, mouth breathing nimrods.

OK, first things first -- the "risks" you cite seem to center on appearances. We (conservatives) will be seen as petty, small, narrow minded and poor winners and we end up looking like a bunch of knuckle-draggin’, mouth breathing nimrods.

I understand your concern. But conservatives will always be portrayed as a bunch of knuckle-draggin’, mouth breathing nimrods, no matter how many degress we display on our collective walls. The media hate us, for no good reason, and the only attack they have left is the ad hominum. Personally, I'm used to it, and would be concerned if they ever expressed favorable interest in anything I hold dear.

Now, as to he [Specter] owes his political life to GWB. . . if Specter pushes a nominee, most MSM is going to view that nominee as a “moderate” . . .

Arlen Specter owes nothing to anyone. Just ask him, he'll tell you. As a former constituent, I am quite familiar with the "tender mercies" of Mr. Specter. Never be fooled into believing Specter owes anyone a debt of gratitude. He does not.

The fact that Specter is a "moderate" will not insulate him from the media. Remember what they did to Zell Miller? And he's still a democrat. A conservative being slowly roasted by the media will cause Specter to get the matches, not the fire extinguisher. He will not defend a conservative nominee. More likely, he will help the democrats defeat one, either through direct action or, more likely, inaction.

We have virtually nothing to gain by allowing Specter to ascend to the Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee.

[gnarledmaw]

"Favors topic 10:Absolute right to gun ownership"

Are they sloppy over there or did Sphincter pay them off?

GOA Alert: Stop Arlen Specter from Blocking Conservative Pro-gun Judges

From link:

This is the same Specter who has opposed your gun rights over the last several years. To be sure, this is the Specter who:

* Cosponsored legislation in 1991 to make it a FELONY to possess any magazine that holds more than 15 rounds (S. 635).

* Voted FOR the crime bill (HR 3355) which contained the Clinton semi- auto ban in 1994.

* Voted FOR the Incumbent Protection Act in 2002 to prevent groups like the NRA and GOA from criticizing public officials in the electronic media up to 60 days before an election (HR 2356).

This is also the same Specter who voted AGAINST arming the nation’s pilots in September 2002. Amazingly, he was one of only SIX senators who voted against this bill. Even anti-gun Senators John Kerry and John Edwards voted right!