Arlen J. Specter is the senior United States Senator from Pennsylvania.
Because of his liberal voting record, Specter is often dubbed a "Republican In Name Only" (RINO).
In 2004, Specter faced a challenge in the Republican primary election from conservative Congressman Pat Toomey. Toomey ran on the principle that Specter was too much of a liberal and big spender to represent the Republican Party. The match-up was closely watched nationally, being seen as a symbolic clash between the conservative and liberal wings of the Republican Party. Ultimately, most of the state's Republican establishment, including the state's other senator at the time, Rick Santorum, closed ranks behind Specter. Specter was also strongly supported by President George W. Bush. At the time, polls showed that had Toomey was polling well behind the Democratic candidate, Congressman Joe Hoeffel. Ultimately, Specter narrowly won the primary, with 51 percent of the vote. In the general election, he faced Hoeffel, Betsy Summers of the Libertarian Party, and Constitution Party candidate James Clymer in November 2004's general election. He was easily reelected.
Because of his liberal voting record, Specter is often dubbed a "Republican In Name Only" (RINO).
In 2004, Specter faced a challenge in the Republican primary election from conservative Congressman Pat Toomey. Toomey ran on the principle that Specter was too much of a liberal and big spender to represent the Republican Party. The match-up was closely watched nationally, being seen as a symbolic clash between the conservative and liberal wings of the Republican Party. Ultimately, most of the state's Republican establishment, including the state's other senator at the time, Rick Santorum, closed ranks behind Specter. Specter was also strongly supported by President George W. Bush. At the time, polls showed that had Toomey was polling well behind the Democratic candidate, Congressman Joe Hoeffel. Ultimately, Specter narrowly won the primary, with 51 percent of the vote. In the general election, he faced Hoeffel, Betsy Summers of the Libertarian Party, and Constitution Party candidate James Clymer in November 2004's general election. He was easily reelected.
Offices held
Elections
Office
State
District
Date
U.S. Senator
2004
Specter, Arlen (Inc)Republican
2,925,080
Democrat
2,334,126
Conservative
220,056
Libertarian
79,263
U.S. Senator (Primary)
2004
Democrat
595,816
Specter, Arlen (Inc)Republican
530,839
Republican
513,693
U.S. Senator
1998
Specter, Arlen (Inc)Republican
1,814,180
Democrat
1,028,839
Other
68,377
Libertarian
46,103
U.S. Senator (Primary)
1998
Democrat
236,435
Democrat
121,669
Democrat
118,684
Specter, Arlen (Inc)Republican
376,322
Republican
101,120
Republican
82,168
Interest Group Data
Interest Group
Year
Rating
Club For Growth
2007
13.00
Club For Growth
2006
40.00
National Right to Life Commitee
2006
0.00
National Right to Life Commitee
2004
64.00
National Right to Life Commitee
2002
0.00
National Right to Life Commitee
2000
22.00
National Right to Life Commitee
1998
29.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2006
16.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2005
5.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2004
15.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2003
16.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2002
25.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2001
25.00
Gun Owners of America
2008
28.00
Gun Owners of America
2006
100.00
Gun Owners of America
2005
0.00
Gun Owners of America
2004
40.00
Gun Owners of America
2003
43.00
Gun Owners of America
2002
43.00
Gun Owners of America
2000
43.00
National Rifle Association
2004
93.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2007
0.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2006
50.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2005
80.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2004
100.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2003
79.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2001
100.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2000
10.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2006
57.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2005
57.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2004
43.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2003
40.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2002
44.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2001
60.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2000
65.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
1999
42.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
1998
39.00
Federation for American Immigration Reform
2005
0.00
Federation for American Immigration Reform
2004
0.00
Americans for Immigration Control
2006
16.00
Americans for Immigration Control
1998
0.00
Americans for Immigration Control
1996
30.00
U.S. Border Control
2006
16.00
Brady Campaign Inverse (100 minus rating)
2003
86.00
Brady Campaign Inverse (100 minus rating)
2002
86.00
Brady Campaign Inverse (100 minus rating)
1999
89.00
US English
2007
93.00
English First
2007
33.00
Google News
 USA TODAY | Ex-senators Specter, Bennett reflect on Lugar's loss USA TODAY By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY Two longtime senators who were ousted in 2010 have different ideas about the impact of Sen. Richard Lugar's defeat at the hands of a new Tea Party favorite. Former Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter, a Republican turned ... OPINION: The Democrats should expose the relationship between Republican and ... |
 PW-Philadelphia Weekly (blog) | Sen. Arlen Specter Appeals To Utah Voters Using 'Cannibals' Rhetoric PW-Philadelphia Weekly (blog) Former Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, in spite of his previous outburst while attempting to promote his book Life Among the Cannibals, continues going on television to promote his book, Life Among the Cannibals. And it keeps getting weirder. Arlen Specter to Utah voters: Keep Orrin Hatch Specter to Utah: Don't ditch Hatch Liljenquist on reality, the 'cannibalization' of Hatch and Romney wins ... |
Senator Arlen Specter Honored for his Support to Expand Mental Health Care Cornell Chronicle NEW YORK (May 8, 2012) — NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical College presented their annual Public Service Award to Senator Arlen Specter yesterday for his sustained efforts to increase support ... |
 Patriot-News | Review of Arlen Specter's 'Life Among the Cannibals' Patriot-News By Patriot-News Op-Ed BY WALTER COHEN T he title of Arlen Specter's newest book — “Life Among the Cannibals” — is a fitting description of the career of Pennsylvania's former US senator. To be accurate, a subtitle might have read: “It takes one to ... The World According to Arlen |
Last modified by Ragnar on Tue, August 5 2008