Developing

Specter Switching to Democratic Party

Democrats will have filibuster-proof majority.

The Democrats now have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate: "I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary," Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter said in a statement. "I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election." Specter's support for Obama's stimulus cost him in the Republican Party: He trailed by 21 against primary challenger Pat Tooney in a recent poll. "Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right," Specter announced. "Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans." (The filibuster-proof majority is contingent on the seating of Al Franken in Minnesota, which is expected.)"