Arlen Specter Answer Quotations

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.

He did not give a definitive answer because obviously that question is going to be before the court again; it's going to be on the next term, ... But I think he - as they said in the old song, 'Kansas City,' he went about as far as he could go.

resist, if not refuse to confirm, Supreme Court nominees who refuse to answer questions on fundamental issues.

I think he ought to have to answer questions and be subject to examination, because the answers that he gave were evasive,

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

Nominees answer about as many questions as they think they have to to be confirmed,

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

And that's why I believe -- and I have seen with my experience in the Senate the value of public hearings -- when FBI Director Mueller has to answer these questions, when CIA Director Tenet has to answer why the president wasn't warned in the August 6 briefing about the tall buildings being in jeopardy, the White House and the CIA headquarters.

You have both sides poles apart and insistent on finding some answer to that question in advance of the hearing, which no one is entitled to, ... Late Edition.