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Sources: Sen. Specter intends to switch parties
WASHINGTON – Several officials say veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania intends to switch parties, advancing his own hopes of winning a new term next year while pushing Democrats one step closer to a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority.
The sources said an announcement could come later in the day — or Wednesday.
≈ Read Booman’s FP story — Arlen Specter Switches Parties ≈
I hope he has something to say about torture-defenders and teabag crazies when he makes his announcement. I also hope that he actually does switch parties and this isn’t one of those cases where his mind is changed by last minute threats/bribes/whatever.
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(The CaucusBlogsNYT) – President Obama was handed a note from an aide at 10:25 a.m. on Tuesday during his daily economic briefing. The note, according to a senior administration official, said: “Specter is announcing he is changing parties.”
Seven minutes later, Mr. Obama reached Mr. Specter by telephone. In a brief conversation, the president said: “You have my full support,” according to the official who heard the phone call. The president added that we are “thrilled to have you.”
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Mr. Specter said he has experienced a change of heart since the response to his vote for the stimulus legislation.
Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, who also supported the Obama administration’s economic stimulus legislation, said Mr. Specter’s decision reflected the increasingly inhospitable climate in the Republican party for moderates.
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Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, called the decision “a real problem.”
Democrats called the decision a game-changer. “It helps on everything,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California. “This is a substantial change.”
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."Conservative Leader has gay old time with Arlen Specter’s defection
Way to take the low road Erick Erickson… Red State will be proud.