The White House has understandably been interested in an early confirmation process … that is not, in my judgment, practical or realistic.

What I’m referring to are all of the forces which are at work out here commanding media attention and commanding public attention, … There’s been more controversy before this nominee has uttered a formal word...

There is no doubt that our nation’s security and defeating terrorism trump all other priorities.

[In the interview, Specter said his November promise in no way constrains him from questioning Roberts closely and running the hearing as he sees fit.] The president and I have discussed this directly, what he...

The word is that the justices very much applaud his nomination to be chief justice, … He has the potential, almost from a running start, to bring a new day and a new era to...

I believe we need a statute,

When President Bush selected John Roberts, he disarmed his critics. They went into this war disarmed, … That’s why I would say that if he found someone of the highest caliber (for the next vacancy),...

These tapes, which the committee will put on display, really nail down the case, … It comes out of President Clinton’s mouth that these funds, this soft money, was used to promote his candidacy. He...

I wouldn’t dispute that.

She has always been very direct, very straightforward, very logical and good to deal with,

A good part of what I’m talking about as chaotic is not the White House, … What I’m referring to are all of the forces which are at work out here commanding media attention and...

There’s going to be a great national debate on this subject.

We ought to get to the bottom of it so it can be evaluated by the American people.

Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.

A lot of people have shifted their views, … People do shift, so there may be an evolution of his thinking.

The events of 9/11, as well as the war in Iraq, require our government to intensify its efforts to combat terrorism.

all reports, memoranda or policy statements prepared, produced with your participation, or produced under your guidance during the time in which you served in any public office, including … any of your positions in the...

This hearing comes at a time of turbulent partisanship in the United States Senate – turbulent partisanship.

very thorough and piercing confirmation process with very, very detailed questions on what Judge Roberts has said in the past.

We have to hear from Hugh Rodham about precisely what he did,

I want to know what the truth is,

have to think about it.

The hearings will be focused on how she approaches constitutional issues, her capacity to handle them,

I think we can get materials which will be helpful to us,

I think there needs to be a collegial, modest approach to try to bring the court together so that we have some idea of continuity and what these decisions mean and their staying power,

The breadth and scope of the proposed amendments are such that they will not only have serious, adverse economic and practical implications for legitimate industries but could very likely place (the current reporting law) into...

What is happening is escalating, and then there is escalating beyond that. I go back to 1987, when the Democrats won control of the Senate, President Reagan’s last two years, and it was tough, but...

It’s a restraint of trade for them to do that, and the thought crosses my mind, it might be a violation of antitrust laws,

Thoroughness would be the objective, as opposed to meeting any timetable,

I will not support any budget resolution that does not provide adequate funding for domestic discretionary programs.

The Senate has not asked for anything falling under executive privilege,

It is our expectation that we will be able to complete the hearings that week,

There is a little different approach in confirmation of the chief justice, … I’m concerned about the conferences, about bringing the court together.

No, he’s not. No, he’s not.

I think that it would be very, very difficult for the president to explain that, in the context of information leading up to why that would be so,

The problem is, when do you get the floor time?

Chief Justice Rehnquist’s death marks the passing of a great American,

It is up to the congressional hearings to make a detailed estimation as to the accuracy of representations made by HHS as to robust, viable and diverse lines, … bovine serum.

It couldn’t be done,

I think that is probably a good idea, That’s something that we could look into.

there has been no impropriety on your part.

[On Aug. 8 Specter sent Roberts a similar letter regarding Supreme Court cases that overturned laws dealing with interstate commerce.] Members of Congress are irate about the Court’s denigrating and, really, disrespectful statements about Congress’s...

There are some losses that the president has sustained, but by and large, I think that the president has won.

Everybody agrees there’s an enormous problem, everybody agrees with the border security lines and there’s general agreement that we have to craft a compromise.

I believe he went somewhat beyond the usual practice of answering just as many questions as he had to in order to be confirmed.

We really have to face up to the fact that we lost some key seats and there really hasn’t been an evaluation of that since the election. This was a very loud wake-up call and...

But I think he did answer many, many important questions, such as he solidly affirmed the right to privacy

was the complexity of a Supreme Court nomination hearing because of there are a lot of complicated issues.

a skimpy little group.

He might wait until the following Monday, but seeing how President Bush operates, I think it will be sooner rather than later.