Arlen Specter switching to a Democrat

Arlen Specter senator for Pennsylvania has announced he is switching from the Republican party to a the Democratic party, and run for re-election as a Democrat in 2010. Specter in a prepared speech said that the Republican views has drifted greatly from what he believes in.

This despite the fact that he just announced 41 days that he would NOT be switching parties for his upcoming race in 2010.

This will increase the number of Senate seats Democrats control to 58. If Democrats can control 60 Senate seats, they would be able to bypass Republican procedural hurdles to moving legislation.

President Obama reportedly contacted Specter and welcomed him to the Democratic party.