'Full of energy,' Specter seeking 6th term in 2010
WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, a moderate who has often clashed with the Bush administration, said yesterday he plans to seek a sixth term in 2010.
WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, a moderate who has often clashed with the Bush administration, said yesterday he plans to seek a sixth term in 2010.
"There are a lot of important things to be done and finally after being here to acquire some seniority, I'm in a position to do that," said Specter, 77. "I'm full of energy and my wife doesn't want me home for breakfast, lunch and dinner."
Specter said he has a big fundraiser planned for April 4 in Philadelphia.
"It's an enormous task, and that's why I'm starting early," said Specter, noting that he spent $23 million in his 2004 race.
A former Philadelphia prosecutor, he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee when the Republicans controlled Congress. He almost missed out when he angered Bush-backing conservatives by telling the president that anti-abortion judges would have a hard time getting confirmed. A pledge to give Bush's nominees quick hearings and early votes, regardless of their views on abortion, spared Specter the ignominy of a chairmanship denied.
Specter has had four health crises: brain surgeries in 1993 and 1996; coronary-bypass surgery in 1998, and chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease diagnosed in 2005. He said yesterday that his health is excellent. *
- Associated Press