Senator Arlen Specter switches parties

In a bold move longtime Republican Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is now a Democrat. Facing a Republican Primary in which challenger Pat Toomey received hard right support from Conservative backers. Since 1980 Mr. Specter has been a moderate voice in the Senate, and has often joined Democrats on a number of issues. What really stings for the GOP right now is seeing the Democrats get one seat closer to the filibuster proof majority of 60 seats. With Specter joining the Dems, they now sit with 59 with only Al Franken's eventual seating being held up in court.

Senator Specter's statement was full of praise for the Republican Party, however he had this to say
" Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."

The Republicans, after to decisive loses in 2006 and again in 2008 continue to move further to the right while the country continues to move center/left. Different polls have suggested that only 21% of Americans describe themselves as Republicans nowadays, and most voters under 30 vote Democratic. Taking a hard right turn could see the GOP go the way of the Whigs.