Arlen Specter Quotes

I belong to the political party that generally fits my philosophical beliefs, but I reserve the right to vote my conscience after careful deliberation. My voting record reflects this.

I'm a Democrat, but I'm really bipartisan - some people might say nonpartisan.

As members of Congress, we take an oath to uphold the Constitution and bear true faith and allegiance to the United States, not the Republican or Democratic party. I have been willing to stand up to my own leadership when it's in the national interest.

Two truths are all too often overshadowed in today's political discourse: Public service is a most honorable pursuit, and so is bipartisanship.

It's time to put country ahead of party. It's time to put the next generation ahead of the next election.

I think every American has a role in saving this country. Whether you're Democrat, Republican, independent, it doesn't matter. We all know the country's in trouble. We may disagree on how to solve it, but we all know the country's in trouble.

This was the way I was brought up to think of politics, that politics was to do with ethics, it was to do with responsibility, it was to do with service, so I think I was conditioned to think like that, and I'm too old to change now.

We do not owe allegiance to any candidate because they share our party or our color, but because they share our principles and our conscience.

I'm a proud Republican - there's no issue with that at all, so why can't I be a proud Republican and just try to solve problems?

Politics is too partisan, and sometimes patriotism is cast aside. Patriotism is honor and love of your country and your brothers and sisters. With politics I get the impression that it's all about what's good for the party and not necessarily what's good for the country.

The highest political buzz word is not liberty, equality, fraternity or solidarity; it is service.

To what higher station, to what greater glory can any mortal aspire, than to be, during the whole course of his life, the support of good, the control of bad government, and the guardian of public liberty?

It sounds outright bland, but people here in Indiana want conscientious public servants who have deep convictions but are prepared to work across the aisle when possible.

I believe President Obama loves this country and wakes up every morning trying to do what is best for our nation, even if I disagree with his approach.

The President is not only the leader of a party, he is the President of the whole people. He must interpret the conscience of America. He must guide his conduct by the idealism of our people.

I remember telling President Carter on his first night, when I was escorting people around, that I was interested in continuing public service and that politics didn't matter - but it does, doesn't it?

I get along with the Democrats, but please - I'm not their hero.

I have voted Democrat my entire life.

For many of us, our country and the interests of our constituents are more important than our party.

I'm a person who's always been interested in politics and thought it was a very noble occupation.

We are a party which believes that we work in the national interest, not just to please my opposition.

I still want to hold on to my beliefs, and as long as I have that, I won't stray too far from politics.

A lot of people like me who worked in Republican politics had a personal set of beliefs on issues that were at variance with the candidates that we worked for.

It is a greater thing to be a good citizen than to be a good Republican or a good Democrat.

I've always tried to vote my conscience.