The Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter is switching to the Democratic party today. He got lots of heat from Pennsylvania Republicans for voting for the stimulus package-he was one of only three Republicans to do so-and his prospects for reelection as a Republican were pretty bad. Specter's move gives the Democrats 59 seats in the house...just short of the filibuster-breaking 60.This puts a lot of pressure on Minnesota, where Al Franken and Norm Coleman are locked in the longest unresolved Senate contest in history. Coleman keeps asking for recounts, losing them, and challenging the results. If Franken wins, which looks likely (although who knows when), the Democrats would have a filibuster-proof majority.How much that matters depends, of course, on how Specter and others actually vote. He was an iconoclast as a Republican and will probably remain one as a Democrat.You can read Specter's statement in full here. It's pretty short.
Search
Latest Stories
Start your day right!
Get latest updates and insights delivered to your inbox.
We have a small favor to ask of you
Facebook is critical to our success and we could use your help. It will only take a few clicks on your device. But it would mean the world to us.
Here’s the link . Once there, hit the Follow button. Hit the Follow button again and choose Favorites. That’s it!
The Latest
Most Popular
Sign Up for
The Daily GOOD!
Get our free newsletter delivered to your inbox