Specter switches sides

In a surprise move earlier this week, 29-year Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter announced he is switching to the Democratic party. Specter says that the reason for the change is because the Republican party views have shifted far to the right of his current views.

The move gives the Democratic party 59 members in the Senate. If Al Franken wins his court case against Norm Coleman, the party would have a filibuster proof 60 members. Several recounts of the November election between the two have held that Franken barely won the election.

While Specter contends he is divorcing the Republican party because of irroncilable differences, the real reason is because he wants to win reelection in November. Specter's recent liberal voting record has drawn criticism from hardcore conservatives and it is believed he would not win the Pennsylvania Republican primary in November. Michael Steele, Chairmen of the Republican National Committee, said that Specter "“left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.”

On a side note, the NY Times article I got this from misspelled Specter several times as Spector. When I do that I get an F on my paper.