U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced this morning his switch to the Democratic Party, and the change will most likely provide a Democratic filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Specter is up for re-election in 2010.  The change in affiliation could be a reaction to his near loss in 2003 and an expected close race next year against former Rep. Pat Toomey.  Specter told reporters that he now finds the Democratic party more in line with his ideals, as he believes the Republican party has moved farther to the right.

Specter’s full statement is available at The Washington Times website.

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