U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter spoke at Drexel University yesterday to more than 400 students regarding foreign and domestic policy.

"We're faced today [with] more perils on the international scene than I think in any time in the history of our country. Terrorism continues to be an imminent threat. We're fortunate not to have another terrorist attack since 9/11, but we're a country at risk at all times," Sen. Specter said.

The senator said that he thinks American forces would not have entered Iraq had they known there were not any weapons of mass destruction, but Americans are there and do not want to leave the country destabilized. He noted that he believes reconstruction efforts are not going well.

Sen. Specter said that, while ideas such as partitioning Iraq into Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite states or instituting a timetable for withdrawal are on the table, Congress shouldn't wait until after the November election to take action.

"We already have the reputation, deserved or not, of being ugly Americans. And I think we ought to accord the nations like Iran and North Korea ... courteous treatment and a level of dignity," the 26-year incumbent said.

He pointed to Ronald Reagan's bilateral discussions with the Soviet Union as proof of why America should also engage them with North Korea.

Domestically, Sen. Specter says the government should do more for health care and education. He co-sponsored an appropriations amendment with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to "restore" $7 billion to the departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services. He also said funding for the National Institute of Health should be increased from $12 to $29 billion.

The senator also wants federal funding for stem-cell research, what he described as an "available fountain of youth." He believes that a cure for cancer and other mental illnesses would have been found by now had Congress fully funded cancer research during the 1970s.

The senator devoted most of his time fielding questions from students on everything from electoral reform to extending the right of habeas corpus to non-U.S. citizens like Guantanamo Bay detainees - a position Sen. Specter supports.

He believes the president should be elected by popular vote, and that voting should take place during the weekend - not on Saturday, which is a Jewish religious holiday, but on Sunday. The senator didn't qualify how voting on Sunday would affect the Christian Sabbath, except that people can go to church but there still would be plenty of time for voting.

The senator encouraged the audience to register in the Republican Party in order to restore a two-party balance in Philadelphia. He mentioned how he joined as a committeeman in the 8th Ward of Philadelphia after finishing law school, and encouraged students to become committeemen.

Sen. Specter advocated for the growth of moderates in both parties so that moderates, not "extremists," would control the balance of power.

The senator was disappointed with the defeat of Sen. Joe Lieberman in the Democratic Primary Election in Connecticut. He attributed Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee's close victory over conservative Cranston, R.I. Mayor Steve Laffey to the Rhode Island's open primary system. This allows registered independents to vote in either the Republican or Democratic Primary, and Sen. Specter believes Pennsylvania should adopt this.

The senator endorsed Republican Lynn Swann for governor, even though, when he served as Philadelphia District Attorney, he hired Ed Rendell after he graduated from law school.

The senator announced his intention to run for re-election in 2010, but only if he continues to remain healthy.

The Evening Bulletin had a brief exclusive interview with Sen. Specter.

The Evening Bulletin: Can you define moderation?

Sen. Arlen Specter: Moderation means an open mind, to look at each issue on the merits and decide what is in the interests of the country. That's the way I would define moderation. I think that party loyalty, for example, has an important part ... on organizing the Senate and electing the leaders. My votes are Republican votes. I think that where I can support the Party, I will support the Party, but if it's a matter of conscience, then I think that the Constitution calls for separation of power and independence. And when it comes down to the really tough issues on conscience, that moderation calls for independence.

TEB: Are there some issues where it's not right to be a moderate?

Specter: Well, some people would say that a moderate wouldn't have voted for [Associate Justice Samuel] Alito, and I would disagree with that. I would say that the president is entitled to substantial description in the selection of Supreme Court nominees and that it's a part of the political process; the president campaigns on it. People disagree with [Chief Justice John] Roberts, and the extremists in the Republican Party were very happy with my leadership with electing and confirming Roberts and Alito. But mostly, I define it in terms of independence, consciences, principles.