Senator Arlen Specter during hearings on Capital Hill. This image is from my archive of client work. Many of my photography assignements involved creating editorial images for public policy clients. ©2006 Daniel J. Splaine – All Rights reserved
The news of the death of Senator Arlen Specter yesterday was noteworthy for a few reasons. First and foremost the nation has lost a long serving and capable public servant. His death also marks the end of another era in American political life. The senate he served in was once a place of civility and high-minded pursuit of effective public policy. Today it is all about dogma and disparagement Moderate northeastern Republicans like Specter, offered a counter balance to more extreme right and in my opinion we all benefited from that middle road.
Specter was tough and pragmatic, with a political career that began with the Warren Commission and ended with the Tea Party. In my photography career I was able to photograph and observe the senator in action on a couple of occasions. What I recall most from watching in the Senate hearing room was his intensity and his no-nonsense approach. We would be well served as a nation if we had more like him. Agree with him or not, the man always earned respect. RIP sir.
