Politics

SPECTER_WEB_20121015_0009

**FILE** Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Democrat, shakes hands with Victor Cazzone, 7, of Exton, Pa., during a May 15, 2010, campaign rally at Gateway Park in Coatesville, Pa. (Associated Press)

SPECTER_WEB_20121015_0008

**FILE** Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Democrat, stands May 18, 2010, with his wife, Joan, after voting in Philadelphia. (Associated Press)

**FILE** Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter arrives May 17, 2010, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia as he campaigns across the state for the Democratic nomination to run for re-election. (Associated Press)

SPECTER_WEB_20121015_0005

**FILE** Dr. Everett Koop (left), who had been nominated to be the U.S. surgeon general, chats Oct. 1, 1981, with Republican Sens. Arlen Specter (center), of Pennsylvania, and Orrin Hatch, of Utah, prior to appearing before the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington for Koop's confirmation hearings. (Associated Press)

SPECTER_WEB_20121015_0004

**FILE** Vice President Walter F. Mondale re-enacts the swearing in of Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican, at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 1981. (Associated Press)

SPECTER_WEB_20121015_0003

**FILE** Sen. Arlen Specter (center, facing camera), Pennsylvania Republican and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, swears in Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito (back to camera) on Jan. 9, 2006, during his confirmation hearing before the committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Associated Press)

SPECTER_WEB_20121015_0002

**FILE** President Obama arrives Sept. 15, 2009, at a fundraising event for Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Democrat, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. (Associated Press)

SPECTER_WEB_20121015_0001

**FILE** Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan holds up U.S. Senate candidate Arlen Specter's hand at fund-raising party for Specter in Philadelphia on Aug. 19, 1980. (Associated Press)

Critz Clinton_Reps.jpg

Rep. Mark Critz, Pennsylvania Democrat, talks to a crowd at one of his campaign rallies before former President Bill Clinton addressed them on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012 in Vanport, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Supreme Court Campaig_Reps.jpg

Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Vice President Joe Biden pass each other after the vice presidential debate at Centre College, in this Oct. 11, 2012 photo taken in Danville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

20121014-212316-pic-636305128.jpg

“Maryland needs an independent redistricting commission,” said Phil Andrews, a Democratic member of the Montgomery County Council. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

SKINS_VIKINGS10141224

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) laughs with Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan on the sideline after running a 76 yards for a touchdown to put the Washington Redskins up 38-26 in the fourth quarter. (Craig Bisacre/ The Washington Times)

SKINS_VIKINGS10141223

Fans react to Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) 76 yard touchdown in the forth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings. (Craig Bisacre/The Washington Times)

SKINS_VIKINGS10141222

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs 76 yards for a touchdown to put the Washington Redskins up 38-26 in the fourth quarter as the Washington Redskins play the Minnesota Vikings. (Preston Keres, Special to the Washington Times)

SKINS_VIKINGS10141221

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) breaks though tacklers for a 76 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. (Craig Bisacre/The Washington Times)