Quotes from Arlen Specter

If you are going to have to play defense all the time, you cannot have the kind of ingenuity, assertiveness, independence, and intelligence which is what has made our country strong.

The fundamental purpose of government is to protect its citizens.

It's inspirational to see someone who is dying smile.

Pennsylvania is a very tough state people don't last long in Pennsylvania politics.

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

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

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.

When the students are occupied, they're not juvenile delinquents. I believe that education is a capital investment.

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

Strong advocacy for education, health care and worker safety will be indispensable if they are to get their fair share of President Bush's austere budget for the next fiscal year.

I do come from a strong family.

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

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

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.

I ran for president in 1996.

If you are going to have to play defense all the time, you cannot have the kind of ingenuity, assertiveness, independence, and intelligence which is what has made our country strong.

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.

As I think through the issue of funding the rebuilding of Iraq, I think about the analogy of a bankruptcy proceeding. There is no doubt that Iraq as a country is bankrupt.

Fundraising is very, very time-consuming.

I do not represent the Republican Party.

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. My father was a great success even though he never had money. He was a very determined man, a great role model.

There's a great public disinclination toward politicians.

I'm battling cancer. It's another battle I intend to win.

As a matter of traditional and sound constitutional doctrine, an amendment to the Constitution should be the last resort when all other measures have proved inadequate.