Sen. Arlen Specter's Switch From Republican To Democrat Is The Big News Of The Day!

Senator Arlen Specter has decided to switch parties.He is no longer a liberal Republican.The fact that he is now a Democrat is a dramatic political story.It is such huge news because this now bring the Democrats closer to the 60 seats that they need to control the Senate.Everyone is saying that Specter's move was motivated by political interests because he was the projected loser in the GOP primary.Running as a Democrat would greatly increase his chances of winning re-election next year.

Here's more from the NY Times:

"Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said on Tuesday he would switch to the Democratic party, presenting Democrats with a possible 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters as they try to advance the Obama administration’s new agenda.

In a statement issued about noon as the Capitol was digesting the stunning turn of events, Mr. Specter said he had concluded that his party had moved too far to the right, a fact demonstrated by the migration of 200,000 Pennsylvania Republicans to the Democratic Party.

“I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans,” Mr. Specter said, acknowledging that his decision was certain to disappoint colleagues and supporters.

If Al Franken prevails in his ongoing court case in Minnesota and Mr. Specter begins caucusing with Democrats, Democrats would have 60 votes and the ability to deny Republicans the chance to stall legislation. Mr. Specter was one of only three Republicans to support President Obama’s economic recovery legislation.

The news shocked Senate Republicans, who had been hanging on to their ability to block legislation by a thread. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, called an emergency meeting of party leaders who had no forewarning of Mr. Specter’s plans."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here.