Specter shift puts Dems near filibuster-proof mark

WASHINGTON – Veteran Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched parties Tuesday with a suddenness that seemed to stun the Senate, a moderate's defection that pushed Democrats to within a vote of the 60 needed to overcome filibusters and enact President Barack Obama's top legislative priorities.
Specter, 79 and seeking a sixth term in 2010, conceded bluntly that his chances of winning a Pennsylvania Republican primary next year were bleak in a party grown increasingly conservative. But he cast his decision as one of principle, rather than fueled by political ambition as spurned GOP leaders alleged.
"I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party," he said at a news conference. He added, "I am not prepared to have my 29 year record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate."

Full article....http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_specter_switch

Newest Democrat

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter and his wife Joan walk through the corridors of the Capitol to a Senate Appropriations Committee emergency meeting in Washington. Specter announced that he was becoming a Democrat, boosting President Barack Obama's ability to drive his audacious agenda through Congress.

Dear Friends,

Over the past few weeks I've lunched with students at SIU-Carbondale, paraded on St. Patrick's Day in downtown Chicago, and spoke with labor friends in Springfield. I've encouraged groups of excited Democrats in Winnebago, McHenry, Monroe, Kankakee, Logan and Douglas counties to continue their awe-inspiring work. I've met business leaders, doctors, lawyers, and teachers from across the state to understand what it is that troubles them most and what can be done to help.Last week alone I spoke to the Illinois Democratic Women Convention in Springfield, met with elected officials in Taylorville, and hosted a conference in Decatur. On Friday, I attended the 113th general meeting of the Southern Illinois Editorial Association in Makanda to discuss transparency in government and the media's role as a watchdog. "Judging from the reaction of the crowd, state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was preaching to the choir as he called for more transparency in government," stated the Southern Illinoisan. As I've said many times before, communication is the most vital component of public service. Please feel free to contact my office at info@alexiforillinois.com with any questions, concerns, comments, or invitations. Thank you again for all of your support.

Alexi