Arlen Specter to switch parties

[Bama]

WASHINGTON – Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania disclosed plans Tuesday to switch parties, a move intended to boost his chances of winning re-election next year that also will push Democrats within one seat of a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority.

"I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," Specter said in a statement posted on a Web site devoted to Pennsylvania politics and confirmed by his office. Several Senate officials said a formal announcement was expected later in the day or Wednesday.

President Barack Obama called Specter almost immediately after he was informed of the decision to say the Democratic Party was "thrilled to have you," according to a White House official. Spurned Republicans said his defection was motivated by ambition, not principle.

Specter, 79 and in his fifth term, is one of a handful of Republican moderates remaining in Congress in a party now dominated by conservatives. Several officials said secret talks that preceded his decision reached into the White House, involving both Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden, a longtime colleague in the Senate. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell as well as Democratic leaders in Congress also were involved, added the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details.

excerpt from Specter says he's switching from GOP to Dems

[cavymeister]

Pool on when Snow and Collins switch as well?

[handle...]

Good riddance... He was not a representation of his constituents by any stretch of the imagination. He only did that because his poll numbers were in the tank compared to the Rep running against him in 2010. Snow and Collins will follow suit very soon.

[Bud]

Normally I would agree on the good riddance part, but this is not good for the partisan (im)balance in Congress.

[nigglewiggle60]

wither they are dem or republic it's not making any difference in how they vote, it's just a title. I'm glad he switched cause next vote he's out do to the fact he's a dirty lier and a bad rep of those who voted for him.

[The Master]

He has always been a bad representative in my eyes, but meh.