Republican Senator Arlen Specter to Switch Parties, Become Democrat

Republican Senator Arlen Specter has switched parties, announcing he would become a Democrat after declaring his former party had moved too far to the right.

Specter’s switch now gives Democrats 59 seats in the senate and with Al Franken expected to be awarded the still disputed Minnesota race the party would hold the all-important 60^th seat which would allow them to overturn any Republican attempt to block legislation.

The 79-year-old Specter joined the Republicans in 1980 and assumed office as a senator from Pennsylvania in January 1981. In announcing his decision to switch parties after 29 years Specter stated, “I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.”

According to officials Specter had held private talks with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other high ranking Democratic leaders prior to the announcement. His decision enraged Republicans who have accused Specter of switching parties to avoid facing conservative Pat Toomey in a primary election in his home state in 2010.

Specter would likely still have to face Toomey in the election but he would then have the backing of several senior Democrats.

Specter has long been considered a moderate Republican and many inside his state were angered by his decision to support Obama’s stimulus package. That moderate stance is what Specter has vowed to carry over as he joins the Democratic Party saying, “My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans.”

Fears among the Republican Party now center around the Democrats potential 60-seat hold in the senate which would make it much easier for Obama to see his proposed bills become law.

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