Arlen Specter demonstrates the bullet's path during a reenactment of
the Kennedy assassination.
Since first elected in 1980, Arlen Specter has brought rugged
individualism and fierce independence learned from his youth on the
Kansas plains to become a leading Senate moderate. His work as
Philadelphia's tough District Attorney gave him insights to write the
Terrorist Prosecution Act, the Armed Career Criminal Act and co-author
of the Second Chance Act.

His legal background and experience in constitutional law provided the
skills to chair the dignified confirmation hearings of Chief Justice
Roberts and Justice Alito. In earlier confirmation hearings he had the
courage to cross party lines in opposing Judge Bork and disagreeing
with conventional wisdom in supporting Justice Thomas after dissecting
the contradictory and highly charged testimony.

As a consummate legislator, he has counseled compromise and
conciliation in a Congress which has established new records for
partisan discord. In foreign affairs, he has advocated dialogue and
accommodation as an antidote to belligerency and saber rattling.