Arlen Specter: Now a Democrat!

A complete shocker:

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.

I don't blame Specter for doing this, as he may well have lost the GOP primary to Pat Toomey. Besides, he's not popular among Republicans in general. But if he weren't facing a Toomey challenge, I doubt that changing parties would have crossed Specter's mind. Still: boy, are the Republicans screwed.

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