The essence of a democracy is a free electorate.

Meaning of the quote

In a democracy, the people choose their leaders through voting. This is only possible if everyone can vote freely, without pressure or restrictions. The most important part of a democracy is having a group of voters who are able to make their own choices.

About Arlen Specter

Arlen Specter was a long-serving U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania who served as a Democrat, then a Republican, and then a Democrat again during his 30-year political career. He was known for his work on the Warren Commission and his centrist political views. Specter faced health challenges, including a brain tumor and lymphoma, but continued to serve in the Senate until his retirement in 2011.

More about the author

More quotes from Arlen Specter

Heart disease continues to be the number one killer; cancer, the number 2 killer, not far behind. The tragic aspect of these deadly diseases is that they could all be cured, I do believe, if we had sufficient funding.

Arlen Specter

American politician

I must say I am not pleased to have to arrange the Senate schedule around the availability of Senators who are running for President.

Arlen Specter

American politician

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.

Arlen Specter

American politician

As I think through the issue of funding the rebuilding of Iraq, I think about the analogy of a bankruptcy proceeding. There is no doubt that Iraq as a country is bankrupt.

Arlen Specter

American politician

The essence of a democracy is a free electorate.

Arlen Specter

American politician

The fundamental purpose of government is to protect its citizens.

Arlen Specter

American politician

If you are going to have to play defense all the time, you cannot have the kind of ingenuity, assertiveness, independence, and intelligence which is what has made our country strong.

Arlen Specter

American politician

Effective security measures do not come cheap.

Arlen Specter

American politician

Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.

Arlen Specter

American politician

If we had pursued what President Nixon declared in 1970 as the war on cancer, we would have cured many strains. I think Jack Kemp would be alive today. And that research has saved or prolonged many lives, including mine.

Arlen Specter

American politician

We are not utilizing the Iraqi oil for U.S. purposes. We are not asking that the Iraqi oil be used to pay our military expenses. We are asking only that the Iraqi oil be used to rebuild Iraq – that is, to rebuild Iraq for the Iraqi people.

Arlen Specter

American politician

When the students are occupied, they’re not juvenile delinquents. I believe that education is a capital investment.

Arlen Specter

American politician

American credibility in the war on terrorism depends on a strong stand against all terrorist acts, whether committed by foe or friend.

Arlen Specter

American politician

There is no doubt that our nation’s security and defeating terrorism trump all other priorities.

Arlen Specter

American politician