Arlen Specter Leaves GOP, Becomes Democrat

Republican Senator Arlen Specter is now Democratic Senator Arlen Specter.

"I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," he said Tuesday, adding that the Republican Party "has moved far to the right"

If he wins re-election in Pennsylvania next year, Specter will push the Democrats closer to a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority. He would put the Democrats at 59 seats, and if Al Franken is successful in his Minnesota recount against Norm Coleman, the party will have the 60 seats they need.

President Obama told Specter over the phone that he had his "full support," and was "thrilled to have him as a member of the Democratic Party."

Read Senator Arlen's Statement