I really thought he would become an independent...Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter shocked the political world Tuesday by jumping from the GOP to the Democratic Party – likely handing President Obama an EZ-Pass to drive his agenda on Capitol Hill.
The sudden move, coming as the veteran lawmaker already faces a fierce 2010 primary challenge from the right in the Keystone State, all but gives Democrats and Obama a roadblock-free Senate, putting them on the cusp of a 60-vote majority.
"I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," Specter announced on his campaign Web site.
[update] Via William K. Wolfrum, The batshit loopy GOP base lays its cards on the table:
Truly dealing from the bottom of the deck on a sinking ship of fools...From Twitter, Erick Erickson of Red State - which is truly the base of the GOP these days - had this to say about Arlen Specter’s move to the Democratic Party:
Today’s conservatives - if someone upsets you, call them gay.Guess now that Larry Craig is gone & Specter realized there was no teabagging at the #teaparty, he had to go Dem for Frank to fondle him.
