LV Congressman Charlie Dent issued this statement on the passing of Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania's longest-serving U.S. Senator.
“It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter. Arlen Specter had a front row seat and was actively engaged in many significant issues of the past half century -- from the Warren Commission to Supreme Court nominations to the advancement of scientific research.
“A tough, fierce competitor, Arlen Specter courageously and tenaciously battled cancer as passionately as he advocated for the causes in which he believed. He will leave an everlasting legacy of service to the people of Pennsylvania and his commitment to medical research may well be remembered as his greatest public service achievement.
"My wife Pam and I send our heartfelt condolences to Joan and the entire Specter family.”
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
▼
Monday, October 15, 2012
20 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete"No one other than Ben Franklin did more for Pennsylvania" - Ed Rendell
ReplyDeleteIf you want to launch an anonymous personal attack on the dead, 10:46, do it somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to attack him personally, identify yourself.
ReplyDeleteI will say this in honor of Specter. He frequently came to the Lehigh Valley and had town meetings. I remember many meetings in Forks Township and was surprised at his handling of those occasions. At those meetings his constituents confronted him on his votes. He defended his position. Although I never agreed with much of his voting record, I appreciated his candor and his willingness to stand and engage his constituents. He feared little and was willing to debate anyone on any subject- a rare quality in today's senate. His successors have done little in this regard. Perhaps such qualities are not the norm in politics and maybe we should appreciate having him to at least establish a practice for others to hopefully follow. I think his failing came when he switched parties which came across as a selfish move. In many ways he qualified to be a "profile in courage". He should have run as a Republican and cemented that identity.
ReplyDeleteThe image of Specter many will remember was the ill-informed rants about healthcare reform and death panels. He respectfully listened to these opinions, right, wrong, or indifferent. That was one of Specter's admirable traits in addition to his ability to compromise.
ReplyDeleteWe have not seen public townhall since, especially after the debt talks failed to compromise and Congress approval rating is in the teens. Either you have phone townhalls where the participation is screened, one-on one meetings during work hours, or private/last minute, poorly advertised public appearances.
We sure could use more "Arlen Specters" in Congress now.
ReplyDeleteYou two were once in unison and the.....
You abandoned Specter, when he needed you.
Didn't particularly care for the guy but I never doubted his dedication to his country. May he rest in peace and without pain after his long struggle.
ReplyDeleteSenator Specter was truly shocked to realize that Republicans would hold him to account for his stimulus vote betrayal. For his own political survival he chose to change his party affiliation and became part of the problem.
ReplyDeleteI give the man credit for his tenacity; however, his resolve often appeared to be directed by his own interests rather than principle. In that, he was in good company on Capitol Hill.
Scott Armstrong
"You abandoned Specter, when he needed you."
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure who this is addressed to, but hope it is not addressed to me. I supported him when he was both a R and a D. In fact, I switched parties to vote for him in that primary against Toomey. I'll agree that there were times when he was a bit opportunistic, but that is how he was able to survive as a R in Philly.
The best memory of Arlen Specter is his seat occupied by Pat Toomey. He was more opportunistic than principled and both parties finally called him on it. RIP.
ReplyDeleteA rare commodity today. A moderate Republican willing to talk and debate issues, always trying to come to a solution for the best of the county. No wonder the teabaggers hate him. Their motto being, WE will destroy this country in order to save it" and the bird goes cuckoo
ReplyDeleteRIP Snarlen Arlen!
Never forget the man whose had the chance to do the right thing and then "...looked to Scottish Law...".
ReplyDelete-Clem
When I heard on NPR that there were Republicans harassing him and calling him a RINO (Republicans in Name Only) I knew it was time for this moderate Republican to switch parties. My parents are still turning in their graves.
ReplyDeleteWe need more moderate Republicans. Sorry I couldn't go the distance with you, Arlen. Thanks for your courage and your service. You stood in support of veterans rights because of how the federal government treated your father. You did good. God speed.
The teabaggers are the real teabaggers. Poor Ike and TR are spinning in their graves.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't appreciated in his own State.
A rare commodity today. A moderate Republican willing to talk and debate issues, always trying to come to a solution for the best of the county. No wonder the teabaggers hate him. Their motto being, WE will destroy this country in order to save it" and the bird goes cuckoo RIP Snarlen Arlen!
ReplyDeleteAn with words like "Teabagger," you do so much to establish your own tolerance.
ReplyDelete