Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., defended the federal stimulus program, criticized Pittsburgh's U.S. Attorney and talked about his re-election campaign during a stop in Oakdale this morning.

Mr. Specter was in the region to praise $13 million in federal funding to improve the interchange between Routes 22/30 and 60 in Robinson and North Fayette, but went on to discuss other subjects with reporters.

He continued to defend the stimulus package -- which he favored while still a Republican, ultimately leading to his switch to the Democratic side -- over criticism that it has not created enough jobs. National unemployment is up to 9.5 percent, which is a 26-year high.

"It's on track. There's still time," he said, noting that its funding did not kick in until February.

Mr. Specter also criticized U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan's three-year prosecution of former Allegheny County coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, saying he did "not think it meritorious" and criticizing Ms. Buchanan's claims after charges were dropped in June that she still believed Mr. Wecht committed crimes even after the case was over. Her office dropped its fraud case against Mr. Wecht after a federal judge supressed much evidence in the case in May.

Mr. Specter noted that one of Mr. Wecht's attorneys, former U.S. attorney general and Pennsylvania governor Richard Thornburgh, had called on current Attorney General Eric Holder to censure Ms. Buchanan for her remarks. Panels are set to meet July 17 to study new U.S. attorney candidates for the state, the senator said.

Mr. Specter faces re-election to a sixth Senate term next year and the latest federal fund-raising period ended June 30. His campaign should end the period with more than $8 million on hand, up from the $6.7 million it had in March. He is expected to face U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak of Delaware County and state Rep. Bill Kortz of Dravosburg for the Democratic nomination, with former Club For Growth president Pat Toomey of Lehigh County the leading Republican name.