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Arlen Specter (D-PA)

A staple among the republican party since joining the senate in 1980, Alren Specter has unleashed a devastating blow upon the republican party today by switching teams and adding a “D” after his name.

While Specter (and staff) are putting their best spin on his decision to stress that it has to do with Democrats being more aligned with his personal philosophies, it’s hard to dismiss the accepted truth that as a republican Specter has almost zero chance of being re-elected this cycle in his home state of Pennsylvania.

PA republicans have been working overtime to oust Specter at the primary level, and even had Specter survived that things simply don’t look promising for any name on the republican ticket in Pennsylvania right now.

So, today Specter has become a Democrat and given the Dem’s an almost fillibuster proof majority in the senate at 59 – 40. If Minnesota gets it together and finally seats Al Franken in June then Democrats will have a locked majority of 60 – 40 that will prevent the republicans from blocking legislation through fillibusters.

This is big news, but if the “win at all costs” attitude of American politics has shown us anything it’s our prediction that the real story will be how this impacts the fiasco in Minnesota. My guess is republicans will attempt to thwart the courts completely in deciding that seat and push for Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty to delay the certification of Franken as long as possible. It would be a last-ditch play, but could buy them some time until the next election cycle. Though if public opinion is an indicator it could be a futile move. Everything can change on a moment in politics, but right now the people seem to still feel very favorable towards President Obama,and the direction we’re heading in overall now, despite the lingering economic struggles.

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