Sen. Specter to switch Parties

Sen. Arlen Specter intends to switch parties, which would add to the Democratic majority in the Senate. CNN's Dana Bash reports. Veteran Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter told colleagues Tuesday that he switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party, Sen. Harry Reid says.

The Specter party switch would give Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate majority of 60 seats if Al Franken holds his current lead in the disputed Minnesota Senate race.

"Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right," Specter said in a statement posted by his office on PoliticsPA.com.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Sen. Arlen Specter
• Dana Bash
• CNN
• Republican
• Democratic
• Pennsylvania
• filibuster
• Al Franken
• Norm Coleman

[Iamdanielg]

He has betrayed his own and said he was not a strong dem supporter so he could betray them to

[reefpirate]

So freedom is a worn out idea? I'd like to hear Obama say something like that... But he wouldn't. What's am I not going to realize that hit me? Some sort of totalitarianism? Oh great. Good luck with that.

It's 2009, a long time has passed since 1776, and a lot of our freedoms have been erroded, under both the Dems and the Repubs. If you ask me, the idea that the government can spend as much money as it wants, without mitigation, is a worn out idea... And chickens are coming home to roost.

[momardrame]

LOL. You guys are still stuck in the middle ages? Claiming to fight for freedom, fight against taxation without representation blah blah blah. WTF? Is this 1776 or 2009? Keep clinging to your worn out ideas, you won't even realize what hit you

[60DemocratsHappyDay]

Isnt it pretty? Ding Dong the GOP is dead...which GOP? The wicked lying war-mongering GOP thats who!!!

[FranklyMisterShankly]

The antiquated American Constitution is responsible for this. Because of the so-called "electoral college," a 18th century presidential lottery in which there is no assurance of a head of state winning a majority of the electorate, there is a two party duopoly. In almost every other parliamentary democracy, there are a dozen major parties, some of which come together to create a ruling coalition based on compromise, thus ensuring there isn't one dominant faction calling all the shots.

[reefpirate]

I think you're confusing Neoconservatives with Republicans. Unfortunately the neocons have for the most part hijacked the Republican party for the last 20+ years... but nevertheless there are still many good people in the GOP. Ron Paul is one solid example.

And if you try to tell me that Democrats are knights in shining armor, I will laugh at you. Democrats have a history of corruption almost as deep as the Republicans, don't fool yourself.

[reefpirate]

I think trying to say he's a true Democrat only days after he has switched parties is premature. He's been a Republican for the last 30+ years.

[reefpirate]

Ok, enjoy your doubling of the national debt.

You talk about Burma? With one party in power, America comes very close to Burma in political terms. The people voted for it, yes... but don't think it will all be good with one party in power. If you like one party systems, maybe you should move to Burma.

[lolantui]

gop suck it!

[plkazi]

GOP...cry baby cry..