Senate Shake-Up: Specter Goes Blue

Arlen Specter was always too moderate for this crop of Republicans, but his surprise decision to become a Democrat has more to do with the likelihood of losing a GOP primary battle than ideological differences. Specter’s move should give the Democrats the 60 votes they need in the Senate, assuming Norm Coleman ever gives up the ghost In Minnesota.

A little Specter trivia: The oldest Republican in the Senate (for now, anyway), Specter was originally a Democrat before running as a Republican to become Philadelphia’s district attorney. According to Wikipedia, Specter also co-authored the magic bullet theory, which argued that a lone gunman assassinated JFK.

Flickr / Svadilfari / Senate.gov

After getting no love from the Republicans, Specter is hoping the Democrats will pull him into another term in the Senate.