Yesterday, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) discussed solutions to the grim employment prospects facing soon-to-be Penn graduates in an address to nearly 100 students and faculty members.
Specter is one of only three moderate Republicans who voted in favor of the final economic stimulus package, which passed last week with a vote of 60 to 38.
In his talk yesterday in Huntsman Hall, Specter argued that his vote was part of a necessary compromise to save the economy from a 1929-style collapse.
With the unemployment rate rising, Specter said he believed the stimulus package, despite its flaws, will be essential to the recovery of the U.S. economy. He explained that the initiatives provided by the package will serve to create jobs and improve Pennsylvania's infrastructure.
Specter's vote in favor of the stimulus only adds to his challenges for reelection in 2010. A Rasmussen poll released Friday revealed that while 31 percent of the state's voters said they were more likely to vote for Specter because of his position on the stimulus, 40 percent said they were less likely.
Members of the Penn community asked questions and expressed their concerns on a variety of topics, including the future of the Republican Party.
"The party is in deep disarray," Specter stated. "The effort to rebuild the party is something I am working on."
Specter then offered a few of his own solutions, from reaching out to minorities to offering sound alternatives to Democratic proposals.
When asked to address the concerned Penn seniors facing a saturated job market, Specter replied that a degree from Penn would go a long way. Maintaining a high grade point average and learning useful skills in a particular field, he argued, are the two best ways to obtain an entry-level position, even in today's economy.
Zac Byer, College junior and chairman of the College Republicans, described the event as "a great opportunity."
"I think his message was do as best as you can," Byer said of Specter's address. "Take advantage of all the opportunities Penn has to offer, from the debate team to student government and others."
