Card image cap

Arlen Specter's Ratings and Endorsements

Deceased

Vote Smart displays all known interest group ratings for each candidate and official, regardless of issue or bias.

Keep in mind that ratings done by special interest groups often do not represent a non-partisan stance. In addition, some groups select votes that tend to favor members of one political party over another, rather than choosing votes based solely on issue concerns. Nevertheless, they can be invaluable in showing where an incumbent has stood on a series of votes in the past one or two years, especially when ratings by groups on all sides of an issue are compared. Website links, if available, and descriptions of the organizations offering performance evaluations are accessible by clicking on the name of the group.

With rare exceptions, Vote Smart displays interest group ratings as a 0-100 percentage. While many interest groups use percentages as ratings to begin with, please note that Vote Smart has translated some ratings to a percentage from a different rating system for consistency and ease in understanding. Please visit the group's website, email us at ratings@votesmart.org or call our Voter Information Hotline at 1-888-VOTESMART for more specific information.

35%
2009
53%
2007-2008
61%
2005-2006
82%
2003-2004
86%
2003
67%
2001-2002
47%
1999-2000
90%
2009
100%
2008
100%
2007
50%
2006
20%
2005
0%
2004
21%
2003
0%
2001
90%
2000
65%
1999
65%
1997
66%
1996
14%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
64%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
22%
1999-2000
25%
1999
29%
1997-1998
25%
1997
14%
1996
79%
2008
71%
2006
75%
2001
71%
1999
67%
1996-2003
60%
1995-1998
97%
1993-1996
0%
2009-2010
0%
2002
70%
2007-2008
64%
2005-2006
67%
2000
40%
1999
84%
1995-1996
67%
1993-1994
100%
2007
40%
2007-2008
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
70%
1991-1992
66
2007-2008
66
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
33%
2005-2006
33%
2003-2004
33%
2003-2004
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
50%
1999-2000
50%
1999-2000
56%
1998
71%
1997
33%
1996
30%
1995
44%
1994
44%
1993
80%
2003
83%
2001-2002
0%
2005
25%
2003-2004
20%
2001-2002
83%
2001-2002
83%
2001-2002
50%
2000
80%
2003
80%
2003
83%
2001-2002
83%
2001-2002
83%
2001-2002
83%
2001-2002
50%
2009
83%
2007-2008
100%
2007
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005
80%
2004
80%
2003
83%
2001-2002
60%
1999-2000
50%
1999
75%
1995-1996
75%
1995
45%
1993-1994
20%
2003
20%
2003
67%
2002
25%
2010
25%
2010
0%
2010
0%
2010
30%
2010
30%
2010
75%
2010
75%
2010
69%
2010
69%
2010
47%
2010
47%
2010
58%
2009
58%
2009
42%
2009
42%
2009
43%
2009
43%
2009
44%
2009
44%
2009
57%
2009
57%
2009
57%
2009
57%
2009
54%
2009
54%
2009
41%
2009
41%
2009
57%
2008
57%
2008
52%
2008
52%
2008
60%
2008
60%
2008
39%
2008
39%
2008
47%
2008
47%
2008
42%
2008
42%
2008
45%
2008
45%
2008
55.2%
2008
55.2%
2008
54%
2007
54%
2007
42%
2007
42%
2007
51%
2007
51%
2007
48%
2007
48%
2007
54.5%
2007
54.5%
2007
45%
2007
45%
2007
57%
2007
57%
2007
45.5%
2007
45.5%
2007
43%
2006
43%
2006
47.5%
2006
47.5%
2006
49%
2006
49%
2006
56%
2006
56%
2006
50%
2006
50%
2006
50%
2006
50%
2006
52.5%
2006
52.5%
2006
49%
2006
49%
2006
51%
2005
51%
2005
47%
2005
47%
2005
44%
2005
44%
2005
55%
2005
55%
2005
47%
2005
47%
2005
52%
2005
52%
2005
48%
2005
48%
2005
53%
2005
53%
2005
42%
2004
42%
2004
48%
2004
48%
2004
49%
2004
49%
2004
48%
2004
48%
2004
56%
2004
56%
2004
51%
2004
51%
2004
50%
2003
50%
2003
53%
2003
53%
2003
49%
2003
49%
2003
46%
2003
46%
2003
52%
2003
52%
2003
47%
2003
47%
2003
50%
2003
50%
2003
49%
2003
49%
2003
43%
2002
43%
2002
51%
2002
51%
2002
49%
2002
49%
2002
49%
2002
49%
2002
56%
2002
56%
2002
49%
2002
49%
2002
52%
2002
52%
2002
47%
2002
47%
2002
52%
2001
52%
2001
48%
2001
48%
2001
43%
2001
43%
2001
41%
2001
41%
2001
57%
2001
57%
2001
58%
2001
58%
2001
46%
2000
46%
2000
49%
2000
49%
2000
16%
2000
16%
2000
83%
2000
83%
2000
54%
2000
54%
2000
45%
2000
45%
2000
53%
1999
53%
1999
45%
1999
45%
1999
46%
1999
46%
1999
48%
1999
48%
1999
54%
1999
54%
1999
49%
1999
49%
1999
50%
1998
50%
1998
52%
1998
52%
1998
49%
1998
49%
1998
47%
1998
47%
1998
40%
1998
40%
1998
59%
1998
59%
1998
48%
1996
48%
1996
51%
1996
51%
1996
50%
1996
50%
1996
59%
1996
59%
1996
40%
1996
40%
1996
47%
1996
47%
1996
85%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100
2007
50%
2009
0%
2009-2010
100%
2005
78%
2003
78%
2003
58%
2007-2008
82%
2005-2006
91%
2003-2004
81%
2001-2002
50%
2005-2006
57%
2003-2004
40%
2007-2008
42%
2005-2006
75%
2003-2004
75%
2003
100%
2010
100%
2010
12%
2003-2004
12%
2003-2004
9%
2003
9%
2003
46%
2001-2002
46%
2001-2002
58%
1999-2000
58%
1999-2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
57%
1995-1996
57%
1995-1996
100%
2001
100%
2001
82%
2009
56
2008
50
2007
0%
2006
29%
2005
50%
2004
83%
2003
33%
2006-2012
33%
2006-2012
70%
2007-2008
70%
2007-2008
67%
2005-2006
67%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
86%
2001-2002
86%
2001-2002
100%
2001
86%
1999-2000
86%
1999-2000
67%
1999
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
89%
1995-1996
89%
1995-1996
66%
2007
100%
2007
25%
2007
44%
2007
27%
1991-1992
43%
2005-2010
38%
2001-2002
17%
2009
49%
2007
54%
2007
53%
2005
66%
2005
79%
2005
76%
2004
80
2003
80
2003
80
2003
75
2002
75
2002
75
2002
58%
2001
55%
2000
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
71%
1995-1996
71%
1995-1996
35%
2009
53%
2007-2008
61%
2005-2006
82%
2003-2004
86%
2003
67%
2001-2002
47%
1999-2000
77%
2004
25%
2007-2008
88%
2005-2006
79%
2003-2004
89%
2003
50%
2001-2002
71%
2000
25%
1997-1998
50%
1995-1996
62
2007-2008
62
2007-2008
64
2007
64
2007
0
2006
20
2005
20
2005
29%
2009
29%
2009
28%
2008
28%
2008
23%
2007
23%
2007
25%
2006
25%
2006
25%
2005
25%
2005
80%
2004
80%
2004
80%
2003
80%
2003
42%
2002
42%
2002
9%
2009-2010
38%
2001-2002
9
2009-2010
72%
2009-2010
79%
2009
25%
2007-2008
50%
2007-2008
17%
2007-2008
73%
2007-2008
50%
2005-2006
75%
1998-2002
43%
1997
64%
1996
10%
2007-2008
4%
2007
16%
2005-2006
25%
2005
0%
2001-2004
13%
2000
13%
1999-2000
14%
1999
70%
1997-1998
83%
1997
36%
1996
15%
1995
68%
2001-2010
68%
2001-2010
63%
2009
63%
2009
20%
2008
20%
2008
0%
2007
0%
2007
33%
2006
33%
2006
33%
2005
33%
2005
0%
2004
0%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2003
40%
2002
40%
2002
29%
2001
29%
2001
11%
2000
11%
2000
23%
1999
23%
1999
33%
1998
33%
1998
42%
1997
42%
1997
27%
1996
27%
1996
25%
1995
25%
1995
50%
2007-2008
50%
2007-2008
58%
2007
0%
2006
35%
2009
53%
2007-2008
61%
2005-2006
82%
2003-2004
86%
2003
67%
2001-2002
47%
1999-2000
30%
2000
41%
1999
47%
1998
35%
1997
68%
1996
44%
1995
82%
2009
56
2008
50
2007
0%
2006
29%
2005
50%
2004
83%
2003
86%
2002
100%
2007
0%
2007-2008
63%
2007
60%
2005-2006
60%
2005-2006
50%
2004
40%
2003
60%
2001-2002
60%
2001-2002
100%
2001
100%
2001
86%
1989-1990
12%
2003-2004
12%
2003-2004
9%
2003
9%
2003
46%
2001-2002
46%
2001-2002
58%
1999-2000
58%
1999-2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
57%
1995-1996
57%
1995-1996
69%
2009
69%
2009
29%
2001
62%
2003-2004
60%
2003
33%
2001-2002
71%
1995-1996
71%
1995-1996
29%
2001
85%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
22%
2003-2004
22%
2003-2004
11%
2003
100%
1999-2000
100%
1999-2000
100
2007
0%
2005
25%
2003-2004
20%
2001-2002
100%
2007
67%
2002
0%
2001
62
2007-2008
62
2007-2008
64
2007
64
2007
0
2006
20
2005
20
2005
60%
2008
33%
2006-2012
33%
2006-2012
86%
2010
72%
2009-2010
64%
2009
46%
2007-2008
60%
2007
14%
2006
40%
2005
28%
2003-2004
32%
2003
52%
2001-2002
38%
1999-2000
44%
1999
47%
1998
43%
1997
52%
1995-1996
100%
2007
33%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
100%
2004
100%
2003
50%
2002
35%
2009
53%
2007-2008
61%
2005-2006
82%
2003-2004
86%
2003
67%
2001-2002
47%
1999-2000
30%
2007-2008
83%
2004
83%
2003
40%
2001
31%
1999-2000
20%
1997-1998
43%
1997
38%
1995-1996
29%
2009
29%
2009
28%
2008
28%
2008
23%
2007
23%
2007
25%
2006
25%
2006
25%
2005
25%
2005
80%
2004
80%
2004
80%
2003
80%
2003
42%
2002
42%
2002
50%
2007-2008
50%
2007-2008
58%
2007
0%
2006
16%
2007
16%
2007
63%
2007-2008
64%
2005-2006
83%
2003-2004
56%
2001-2002
60%
1999-2000
48%
1997-1998
79%
1995-1996
26%
2009
D
2008
D
2007
51%
2006
50%
2005
50%
2004
65%
2003
42%
2002
59%
2001
38%
1999
44%
1998
51%
1997
68%
1995
90%
2005-2006
90%
2005-2006
45%
2009
54%
2007
49%
2007
53%
2005
66%
2005
79%
2005
76%
2004
80
2003
80
2003
80
2003
75
2002
75
2002
75
2002
58%
2001
55%
2000
60%
2003-2004
60%
2003-2004
75%
2001-2002
75%
2001-2002
75%
2001-2002
75%
2001-2002
60%
1999-2000
60%
1999-2000
17%
1997-1998
17%
1997-1998
30%
2009
39%
2008
13%
2007
40%
2006
70%
1995
70%
1995
38%
2001-2002
27%
2005-2006
27%
2005-2006
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
67%
2005-2006
67%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
-9
2001-2002
0%
2007-2008
63%
2007
60%
2005-2006
60%
2005-2006
50%
2004
40%
2003
60%
2001-2002
60%
2001-2002
46%
2009-2010
10%
2007-2008
4%
2007
16%
2005-2006
25%
2005
0%
2001-2004
13%
2000
13%
1999-2000
14%
1999
70%
1997-1998
83%
1997
36%
1996
15%
1995
33%
2006-2012
33%
2006-2012
33%
2005-2006
33%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
17%
2000
33%
1999
16%
2005-2006
0%
2004
63%
2009
63%
2009
20%
2008
20%
2008
0%
2007
0%
2007
33%
2006
33%
2006
33%
2005
33%
2005
0%
2004
0%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2003
40%
2002
40%
2002
29%
2001
29%
2001
11%
2000
11%
2000
23%
1999
23%
1999
33%
1998
33%
1998
42%
1997
42%
1997
27%
1996
27%
1996
25%
1995
25%
1995
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
75%
1999
67%
1998
80%
1997
29%
1996
100%
2005-2006
33%
2003-2004
50%
2003
26%
2009
D
2008
D
2007
51%
2006
50%
2005
50%
2004
65%
2003
42%
2002
59%
2001
38%
1999
44%
1998
51%
1997
68%
1995
20%
2004
18%
2002
40%
2001
59%
2000
36
1999
36%
1998
28%
1997
30%
2009
39%
2008
13%
2007
40%
2006
100%
2001
100%
2001
15%
2009
15%
2009
36%
2008
36%
2008
33%
2007
33%
2007
42%
2006
42%
2006
44%
2005
44%
2005
79%
2003-2004
79%
2003-2004
47%
2007-2008
47%
2007-2008
53%
2005-2006
53%
2005-2006
62%
2003-2004
62%
2003-2004
63%
2001-2002
63%
2001-2002
54%
1999-2000
54%
1999-2000
47%
1997-1998
47%
1997-1998
57%
1995-1996
57%
1995-1996
57%
1993-2018
57%
1993-2018
57%
1993-2014
57%
1993-2014
42%
1993-1994
42%
1993-1994
59%
2009
85%
2001
85%
2001
75%
1997-1998
75%
1997-1998
67%
1995-1996
67%
1995-1996
100%
2008
50%
2007
33%
2009-2010
100%
2003-2004
100%
2007
75%
2007-2008
67%
2005-2006
67%
2005-2006
100%
2003
50%
2004
0
2007
20%
2003
100%
2007-2008
80%
2005-2006
83%
2003-2004
60%
2001-2002
60%
2001
50%
2002
79%
2008
71%
2006
75%
2001
71%
1999
67%
1996-2003
60%
1995-1998
97%
1993-1996
60%
1995-2004
60%
1995-2004
66%
1995-1996
66%
1995-1996
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
40%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
100%
2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
85%
2009
100%
2001
0%
2007-2008
63%
2007
60%
2005-2006
60%
2005-2006
50%
2004
40%
2003
60%
2001-2002
60%
2001-2002
0%
2001
33%
2007
33%
2007
25%
2006
25%
2006
0%
2001
0%
2001
65%
2007-2010
27%
2009-2010
27%
2009-2010
21%
2005-2008
21%
2005-2008
16%
2005-2006
16%
2005-2006
5%
2003-2006
5%
2003-2006
15%
2003-2005
15%
2003-2005
16%
2003
16%
2003
25%
2002
25%
2002
25%
2001
25%
2001
66
2007-2008
66
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
33%
2005-2006
33%
2003-2004
33%
2003-2004
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
50%
1999-2000
50%
1999-2000
56%
1998
71%
1997
33%
1996
30%
1995
44%
1994
44%
1993
88%
1989-1990
67%
2007
47%
2007-2008
47%
2007-2008
53%
2005-2006
53%
2005-2006
62%
2003-2004
62%
2003-2004
63%
2001-2002
63%
2001-2002
54%
1999-2000
54%
1999-2000
47%
1997-1998
47%
1997-1998
57%
1995-1996
57%
1995-1996
57%
1993-2018
57%
1993-2018
57%
1993-2014
57%
1993-2014
42%
1993-1994
42%
1993-1994
70%
2007-2008
70%
2007-2008
67%
2005-2006
67%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
86%
2001-2002
86%
2001-2002
100%
2001
86%
1999-2000
86%
1999-2000
67%
1999
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
89%
1995-1996
89%
1995-1996
80%
2003
83%
2001-2002
70%
2007
30%
2006
22%
2005
27%
2003-2004
27%
2003-2004
55%
2001
50%
2000
66%
1999
78%
1998
91%
1997
53%
1996
0%
2003
100%
2001
85%
2009
69%
2009
69%
2009
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
67%
2005-2006
67%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
73%
2007-2008
50%
2005-2006
75%
1998-2002
43%
1997
64%
1996
10%
2007-2008
4%
2007
16%
2005-2006
25%
2005
0%
2001-2004
13%
2000
13%
1999-2000
14%
1999
70%
1997-1998
83%
1997
36%
1996
15%
1995
68%
2001-2010
68%
2001-2010
63%
2009
63%
2009
20%
2008
20%
2008
0%
2007
0%
2007
33%
2006
33%
2006
33%
2005
33%
2005
0%
2004
0%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2003
40%
2002
40%
2002
29%
2001
29%
2001
11%
2000
11%
2000
23%
1999
23%
1999
33%
1998
33%
1998
42%
1997
42%
1997
27%
1996
27%
1996
25%
1995
25%
1995
62
2007-2008
62
2007-2008
64
2007
64
2007
0
2006
20
2005
20
2005
46%
2010
72%
2009-2010
64%
2009
46%
2007-2008
60%
2007
14%
2006
40%
2005
28%
2003-2004
32%
2003
52%
2001-2002
38%
1999-2000
44%
1999
47%
1998
43%
1997
52%
1995-1996
80%
2007-2008
33%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
100%
2004
100%
2003
-9
2001-2002
33%
2006
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
75%
1999
67%
1998
80%
1997
29%
1996
100%
2003
77%
2004
30%
2007-2008
83%
2004
83%
2003
40%
2001
31%
1999-2000
20%
1997-1998
43%
1997
38%
1995-1996
43%
1991-1992
43%
1991-1992
25%
2007-2008
88%
2005-2006
79%
2003-2004
89%
2003
50%
2001-2002
71%
2000
25%
1997-1998
50%
1995-1996
50%
2009
43%
2005-2010
46%
2009-2010
46%
2009-2010
50%
2007-2008
20%
2006
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
40%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
13%
2009-2010
13%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
17%
2009-2010
17%
2009-2010
10%
2009
20%
2009
30%
2009
28%
2007-2008
28%
2007-2008
40%
2007
28%
2006
67%
2004
15%
2002
65%
2001
48%
2000
35%
1999
53%
1998
25%
1997
46%
1995-1996
46%
1995-1996
79%
2008
71%
2006
75%
2001
71%
1999
67%
1996-2003
60%
1995-1998
97%
1993-1996
71%
1995-1996
71%
1995-1996
33%
2009-2010
67%
2003
67%
2003
70%
2007-2008
70%
2007-2008
67%
2005-2006
67%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
86%
2001-2002
86%
2001-2002
100%
2001
86%
1999-2000
86%
1999-2000
67%
1999
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
89%
1995-1996
89%
1995-1996
27%
1991-1992
100%
2001
82%
2009
56
2008
50
2007
0%
2006
29%
2005
50%
2004
83%
2003
12%
2009-2010
33%
2007-2008
33%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
0%
2005-2006
100%
2004
100%
2004
100%
2003
100%
2003
29%
2009-2010
35%
2009
35%
2009
53%
2007-2008
53%
2007-2008
61%
2005-2006
61%
2005-2006
82%
2003-2004
82%
2003-2004
86%
2003
86%
2003
67%
2001-2002
67%
2001-2002
47%
1999-2000
47%
1999-2000
20%
2009-2010
30%
2007-2008
30%
2007-2008
83%
2004
83%
2004
83%
2003
83%
2003
40%
2001
40%
2001
31%
1999-2000
31%
1999-2000
20%
1997-1998
20%
1997-1998
43%
1997
43%
1997
38%
1995-1996
38%
1995-1996
43%
1991-1992
43%
1991-1992
0%
2008
0%
2008
16%
2007
16%
2007
16%
2007
16%
2007
50%
2009
90%
2005-2006
90%
2005-2006
17%
2009
17%
2009
45%
2009
49%
2007
49%
2007
54%
2007
54%
2007
79%
2005
53%
2005
53%
2005
79%
2005
66%
2005
66%
2005
76%
2004
76%
2004
80
2003
80
2003
80
2003
80
2003
80
2003
80
2003
75
2002
75
2002
75
2002
75
2002
75
2002
75
2002
58%
2001
58%
2001
55%
2000
55%
2000
0%
2010
13%
2009-2010
13%
2009-2010
13%
2009-2010
13%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
17%
2009-2010
17%
2009-2010
17%
2009-2010
17%
2009-2010
30%
2009
10%
2009
20%
2009
20%
2009
30%
2009
10%
2009
28%
2007-2008
28%
2007-2008
28%
2007-2008
28%
2007-2008
40%
2007
40%
2007
28%
2006
28%
2006
67%
2004
67%
2004
15%
2002
15%
2002
65%
2001
65%
2001
48%
2000
48%
2000
35%
1999
35%
1999
53%
1998
53%
1998
25%
1997
25%
1997
46%
1995-1996
46%
1995-1996
46%
1995-1996
46%
1995-1996
50%
2005-2006
50%
2009
38%
2001-2002
71%
1995-1996
71%
1995-1996
0%
2009
70%
2006
70%
2005
85%
2004
85%
2003
65%
2002
70%
2001
75%
2000
45%
1999
45%
1998
0%
2005-2006
15%
2009
15%
2009
36%
2008
36%
2008
33%
2007
33%
2007
42%
2006
42%
2006
44%
2005
44%
2005
79%
2003-2004
79%
2003-2004
50%
2009
63%
2007-2008
64%
2005-2006
83%
2003-2004
56%
2001-2002
60%
1999-2000
48%
1997-1998
79%
1995-1996
26%
2009
D
2008
D
2007
51%
2006
50%
2005
50%
2004
65%
2003
42%
2002
59%
2001
38%
1999
44%
1998
51%
1997
68%
1995
30%
2009
39%
2008
13%
2007
40%
2006
31%
2006
31%
2006
71%
2007
100%
2007
86%
2002
33%
2005-2006
33%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
17%
2000
33%
1999
12%
2003-2004
12%
2003-2004
9%
2003
9%
2003
46%
2001-2002
46%
2001-2002
58%
1999-2000
58%
1999-2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
57%
1995-1996
57%
1995-1996
40%
2003-2004
40%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
40%
2001-2002
40%
1999
40%
1999
63%
2007-2008
50%
2002
25%
2006
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
75%
1999
67%
1998
80%
1997
29%
1996
62%
2003-2004
60%
2003
33%
2001-2002
25%
2007-2008
88%
2005-2006
79%
2003-2004
89%
2003
50%
2001-2002
71%
2000
25%
1997-1998
50%
1995-1996
70%
2009
70
2007-2008
70%
2007
50%
2005-2006
50%
2005-2006
80%
2003-2004
80%
2003-2004
66%
2007
100%
2007
44%
2007
25%
2007
arrow_upward