The Washington Post is reporting that Republican senator Arlen Spector has decided to switch parites and is becoming a Democrat. This news, with the pending seating of Al Franken in Minnesota, would give the Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 seat majority in the Senate.
Specter told the paper: “I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary,” said Specter 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.”
He added: “Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. 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.”
I am very glad to see that with Sen. Spector’s decision to join the Democratic Party, we will (once Sen. Franken is seated) have the 60 votes we need to block Republican filibusters. However, let’s not forget that he still needs to be brought along on a number of issues. He has not indicated support for EFCA and currently holds a 67% rating from HRC, which indicates a mixed record on LGBT issues. Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County strongly supports the Employee Free Choice Act as well as ending DADT and DOMA. We will continue to work with all Democrats, including Sen. Spector, to make sure that we achieve these goals.
That makes 59. Will someone please free Franken?
I THINK IF SEN. SPECTOR WANTS TO BECOME A DEMOCRATE, HE SHOULD LEAVE OFFICE AND RUN AS A DEMOCRATE. JUST LIKE SHELBY, HE IS SHAFTING ALL THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR HIM