And then events overtook us with the passing of the chief justice,

I believe that stem-cell research has enormous hope for the future. But I would point out that I’m joined by Senator [Orrin] Hatch, a noted conservative. I’m joined by many conservative colleagues on the Republican...

It continues to be my hope that both leaders would liberate their caucuses from party-line voting,

If Dr. Dobson knows something that he shouldn’t know, or something that I ought to know, I’m going to find out, … This Week.

It’s going to be a battle but I think we have a realistic chance of winning.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer does not relate to cloning, and the people who call it therapeutic cloning are creating a lot of confusion, because it is not cloning at all, and it certainly is not...

Could we have acted sooner to avoid the situation we are in now, in effect running for cover?

If this will require a rollcall vote, I cannot predict how many rollcall votes we will have this evening, but I would not make dinner plans.

I made the point that the president doesn’t have a blank check. He didn’t choose to engage me on that point.

[But that is Bush’s call, Specter said.] Taking advice is not too hard as long as you get to make the final decision, … And the Constitution doesn’t say the president should do more than...

Would you think that Roe might be a super-duper precedent?

I have seen virtually no agreement on anything when it comes to this immigration bill. Emotions are running at an all-time high.

Finally, someone connected to the Administration knows how to keep his trap shut. If only some of that would rub off on Barbara Bush.

I’m not sure that $1.6 trillion is precisely the right figure. Perhaps it is, if more of that was devoted to the lower income groups.

I’m concerned about the conferences of the justices which the chief will preside over, and about bringing the court together,

It has been apparent for some time that the American people are frustrated, sick and tired of the partisan bickering. We have to support the president.

I’ve never walked out of a room and had a disagreement as to what was said,

I wouldn’t support a bill that impinges on civil liberties.

I know this issue will be responded to when you complete your questionnaire, … But I think it is not advisable to wait until that time, which would allow columnists, radio/TV talk shows and your...

These are big, big issues.

I’m not at all critical of [the letter]. I think it’s perfectly appropriate.

Why not go after both levels? … Why not get tough? That’s what Sen. Feinstein wants to do, and I think it’s a good idea.

It is imperative that the White House provide expeditiously those documents it intends to release,

If there was a telephone call where someone gave assurances about how she’s going to vote in a case, you bet that’s something we’d look into, … Absolutely. It is not tolerable to have any...

fit to go indefinitely.

I consider it appropriate to question him as to his views on … following precedents.

He comes across as very strong, and strength is contagious. It’s good to see him and how confident he is.

I’ve been searching for a way that we might have President Clinton’s side of the matter in a professional way, and I’m continuing to explore that. The committee is not disposed to inviting him because...

Had that information been shared with the FBI, which was trying to get it, 9/11 might have been prevented,

This is a matter that requires congressional analysis, … wise, appropriate taking of private property.

It’s going to depend upon how well she does [in the hearings],

I suggest it may be very helpful to U.S. efforts to secure Venezuela’s cooperation in our joint attack on drug interdiction if the rhetoric would be reduced,

the expectation is that [an announcement] is very imminent.

a window of opportunity at this time to resolve the disagreement on drug-interdiction policies.

I have raised a certain cautionary signal, that I believe the next nomination is going to be a great deal more contentious than the Roberts nomination,

The president of the United States has the fundamental responsibility to protect the country. The president does not have a blank check.

I understand that you were sent over in a very limited capacity, with perhaps the calculation that you didn’t have this information,

[The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision rejected Congress’ findings and its] method of reasoning, … Is there any real justification for the court’s denigrating Congress’ ‘method of reasoning’?

So they weren’t necessarily your views then and they certainly aren’t your views now?

Is Roe a super-precedent?

Judge Roberts, in your confirmation hearing for the circuit court, your testimony read to this effect, and it’s been widely quoted: Roe is the settled law of the land. Do you mean settled for you,...

I’m not going to be a party to spending more than the president asked for,

Given the option in this trial, I suspect many senators would choose ‘not proved’ instead of ‘not guilty,’

A lot of things have happened since 1985,

We start off with the basic fact that the Democrats have filibustered and you can expect them to filibuster if the nominees are not within the broad range of acceptability, … And I think there...

He’s leaning toward the beginning of January.

The fundamental purpose of government is to protect its citizens.

We’re facing a daunting workload with a very heavy backlog of controversial and contested judicial nominees.

[After a morning briefing with Bush and top Senate leaders, Specter (R-Pa.) said he told the president he should postpone the announcement so senators have a better idea of how Roberts would influence the Supreme...

[Four Democratic votes for Roberts would be] a pleasant surprise, … they can be tougher on the next nominee.