Top Dems 'Furious' Over Specter

Will the Democratic Party welcome Arlen Specter with open arms? Eh, according to The Hill, “Several Democrats are furious with Sen. Reid (D-Nev.) for agreeing to let Specter (Pa.) keep his seniority, accrued over more than 28 years as a GOP senator. That agreement would allow Specter to leap past senior Democrats on powerful panels — including the Appropriations and Judiciary committees.” Senator Barbara Mikulski goes on the record: “I won’t be happy if I don’t get to chair something because of Arlen Specter.” Under Specter’s deal with Reid, “Specter would jump ahead of all but a few Democrats when it comes time to dole out committee chairmanships and assignments.”