Critics say Specter's move is more aboutpolitics than principles
A veteran Republican senator has switched allegiances to the Democrats, a boost for Barack Obama as he prepares to mark 100 days as US president.
Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania senator, said: "I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," although critics say the move was made to boost his chances of re-election.
The
move takes the Democrats to within one seat of a 60-vote super-majority needed to stop Republicans using filibusters, a stalling tactic used to delay or defeat legislation. One vacancy remains from the state of Minnesota, where Democrat Al Franken holds a narrow lead in a race being disputed in court.
Specter had also faced a tough challenge from Pat Toomey, a conservative rival, in a forthcoming senate primary polls ahead of a 2010 election.
Recent polls said that Specter, 79, was losing to Toomey and would fare better as a Democrat. Specter, who faced conservative anger over his vote in favour of Obama's nearly $787bn economic stimulus package, denied that he would rubber-stamp Democratic legislation.
"My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans," said Specter, who was first elected in 1980.
Harry Reid, the Democratic senate majority leader, praised Specter as a "a man of honour and integrity and a fine public servant" and welcomed him to the party.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera
A veteran Republican senator has switched allegiances to the Democrats, a boost for Barack Obama as he prepares to mark 100 days as US president.Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania senator, said: "I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," although critics say the move was made to boost his chances of re-election.
The
move takes the Democrats to within one seat of a 60-vote super-majority needed to stop Republicans using filibusters, a stalling tactic used to delay or defeat legislation. One vacancy remains from the state of Minnesota, where Democrat Al Franken holds a narrow lead in a race being disputed in court.Specter had also faced a tough challenge from Pat Toomey, a conservative rival, in a forthcoming senate primary polls ahead of a 2010 election.
Recent polls said that Specter, 79, was losing to Toomey and would fare better as a Democrat. Specter, who faced conservative anger over his vote in favour of Obama's nearly $787bn economic stimulus package, denied that he would rubber-stamp Democratic legislation.
"My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans," said Specter, who was first elected in 1980.
Harry Reid, the Democratic senate majority leader, praised Specter as a "a man of honour and integrity and a fine public servant" and welcomed him to the party.Courtesy: Al Jazeera
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