The Bork Confirmation Spectacle-One Rejected -- The Thomas Confirmation Spectacle-One Accepted -- Iran-Contra -- Nicaraguan Insurgents, a Mideast War, Missiles for Money and Hostages, Dark Ops, Presidential Felonies, and More! -- The Clinton Impeachment -- Castro, Specter, and Some JFK -- Arafat and Specter-the Clinton Impeachment Explosion and the Fallout -- The Stimulus Vote -- A Change of Parties-Specter Becomes a Democrat -- Specter Takes on the Magistrates and Becomes an LGBTQ Crusader -- A Change of Insanity in Washington -- A Former Career Prosecutor Goes After Career Criminals -- Specter's Quest for Federal Funding for Stem Cells Fighting Windmills.
Summary:
"From his early work as a lawyer on the Warren Commission investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to his days as Philadelphia's district attorney to his thirty-year career as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, Arlen Specter found himself consistently in the middle of major historical events. During his five terms as senator, Spector met with the likes of Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat and Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro and made significant contributions during the fallout of both the Iran-Contra scandal and the Clinton impeachment. His work had a profound influence on the configuration of the United States Supreme Court, the criminal justice system, LGBTQ rights, and stem cell research. Photographs from Specter's personal collection highlight many of these key moments, revealing the rich narrative not only of one man's political career, but how it helped shape a nation. While it will probably be long debated whether Specter's complex and controversial political legacy merits mainly praise or criticism, Arlen Specter sheds new light on the life of a man who fought to make a difference"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.