The press shapes the steel, changes its ’microstructure’ and creates ’a high quality steel,’ he said.

Specter remarked about the machine that turns the steel around on the press. When the senator was told it is called a manipulator, Specter joked, ’I thought we only had those in Washington.’

Regarding Washington, Specter said of the financial rescue plan approved by Congress two weeks ago, ’Right now, the credit freeze hasn’t thawed.

’Nobody knows when or how it’s (the bailout) going to work.’

He said he doesn’t want to see the banking system nationalized.

Specter said he believes Congress should return on Nov. 5, the day after the election, ’to figure out how to handle this economic crisis.’

There is talk about an economic stimulus package, and he would prefer one that puts people to work on highways and bridges, he said.

’We got to sit down and talk among ourselves ... how much we’re going to spend.’