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

Institutionally, the court is on the spot as to the whole overtone of appearing to be too political or ideological.

I think that some of the voting today was calculated to impact on the next nomination.

Would you characterize it as ‘very serious’?

are the epitome of the ‘throw money at the problem’ approach repeatedly rejected by administration spokesmen.

I think that the criterion ought to be: Who’s the best person available for the job? And many of us have called for a nominee who comes from a background other than one of being...

She’s a very, very busy person.

I simply wouldn’t do it.

[Specter’s most surprising move in preparing for the hearing came on Aug. 8, when he used a letter to Roberts to assail the current Supreme Court on matters in which the nominee had no hand.]...

It’s not gone forward because there’s a political advantage for the Democrats not to have an immigration bill.

I know that the president will listen to what Senator Frist has to say. I’m not saying he’s going to agree with it. But what Senator Frist has had to say is weighty, and I...

He cannot be required to answer how he’s going to decide a case that might come before the court, … That would undercut the very basics of judicial independence.

sort of pawns in the whole operation.

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Sen. Kennedy just propounded a very, very long question. Now let him (Roberts) answer the question.

I’m really sorry that on doctrinal grounds they don’t understand that she cannot tip her hand on Roe. I really think … they’re failing to understand a very basic constitutional principle of judicial independence,

I believe Republicans as well as Democrats have an obligation to find out about Judge Roberts’ jurisprudence, and there ought not to be a political tilt,

I worry that these acquisitions and these mergers can only spell higher costs for the consumer and in the long run problems for the employees of these companies.

Bill Weld has gotten tremendous national exposure, and there are a number of people within the Republican Party who may disagree philosophically with Senator Helms, and (Weld) may be rallying a lot of people to...

I had not seen such passion or fervor from the president since two days after 9/11, … His force, I thought, was impressive and I am re-thinking [the issue].

We may not finish before Thanksgiving. We’re going to have to take whatever time we need. We do not have much paperwork. We do not have much of a record.

The whole confirmation process is in her hands. If she does well (in her public testimony) she will be confirmed. It’s up to her as to how well she does.

[Reno’s move is still short of what Republicans would like to see.] The attorney general is taking a step in the right direction, … but, so far, she has stopped short of taking the action...

There could be a real tough battle here and a real tough fight, depending on whom the president puts up,

I am concerned about the Supreme Court’s judicial activism which has usurped congressional authority,

overturned almost 60 years of Congress’ power under the Commerce Clause.

As a matter of traditional and sound constitutional doctrine, an amendment to the Constitution should be the last resort when all other measures have proved inadequate.

These decisions pose two major problems, … A lack of stability or predictability in the law because the two cases, decided three years apart, are virtually indistinguishable; and, two, the court’s judicial activism in functioning...

I now call it the single-bullet conclusion,

Chief Justice Roberts has great potential for the future to bring a consensus to the court, to have a better recognition of congressional authority and, as he put it, to understand the Constitution responding to...

I think that we’re paying much too much attention to Pat Buchanan,

Wait a minute, Senator Biden. He’s not finished his answer.

we need to propose a political settlement at the end of the security rainbow, to try to give some hope to these 18-year-olds who are really just posing a threat which can’t be stopped.

We’ve got the potential for enormous advances in medical science, and we should utilize them,

is to have a dignified hearing which will give insights into Judge Roberts’ jurisprudence, and to get an idea of his thinking on questions like respect for precedent … and his views on congressional authority.

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.

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,

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.