Specter To Switch Parties
By CARL HULSE

Ryan McFadden/Reading Eagle, via Associated Press

Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said he would switch to the Democratic party Tuesday, potentially presenting Democrats with a possible 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters as they try to advance the Obama administration’s new agenda.

Congressional aides and others close to the long-time Republican party maverick said Mr. Specter, who faced a difficult re-election next year, was going to announce he would become a Democrat…

thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com