Veteran Republican Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched party affiliation and has joined the Democratic party. The switch will give Senate Democrats a filibuster-proof majority of 60 seat – once Minnesota Senator Al Franken is seated.
During a news conference, Specter said, “I know I’m disappointing many of my colleagues. The disappointment runs in both directions.”
Specter, 79, said that 200,000 Republicans in his home state changed party affiliation last year to become Democrats. The five-term Senator said that he has been pressured by his constituency to make the switch – which is more in line with his political leanings.
President Obama was handed a note during his morning economic daily briefing at 10:25 a.m. this morning. According to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, Obama called Specter and told him, “You have my full support, and we’re thrilled to have you.” The White House released a photo of Obama making the phone call – available below.
Specter was one of only three GOP senators to side with Obama’s $787 billion stimulus plan, angering many Republican colleagues.
Specter announced on Tuesday afternoon that he will run for reelection to the U.S. Senate representing Pennsylvania as a Democrat in 2010. He reports that he will not be changing his independent thinking and will not be an automatic 60th vote for the Democratic side of the Senate chambers.
See video below.