Obama To Specter: We Are Thrilled To Have You

White House aides said on Tuesday that they had no advanced knowledge that Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter would be switching party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. Once told, however, the president reached Specter to express his thrill at having him in the party and to offer his full support.

According to a White House aide, the president found out about the switch at 10:25 AM while in the Oval Office receiving his Economic Daily Briefing.

The president was handed a note, the aide said, that read: "Specter is announcing he is changing parties."

Seven minutes later, President Obama reached Specter to tell him, according to the aide, "You have my full support" and that we are "thrilled to have you."

The White House released a photo Tuesday of the president on the phone with Specter:

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Comments

[Jaybot]

So, now there is a faux Democrat in a seat that a real Democrat would assuredly have won in 2010. Specter has has much to prove before next year's primary season.

[JLee]

Eh, it would have been a tough race with Specter running as Independent. The Democratic tent is pretty big, it can take in moderates and conservatives. With the GOP relegated to being the party of the far, far right, it looks like the Democratic Party will have to play the role of both progressive and conservative party anyway.

[Badger84]

Agreed. Judging by the ratings liberal organizations have given to Specter, he has drifted somewhat to the left in recent years. I wouldn't call him a liberal and I wouldn't expect his change in party affiliation to lead to a dramatic change in his voting record. However, he will be more willing to cut off debate on issues like health care and the EFCA (even if he doesn't support it).

[G FORCE]

THE GOP IS OVER AND OUT, CONVERT NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5McSEU48Y8

[Badger84]

Hah! Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

[Xylem44]

What an awesome present for President Obama's first 100 days. It's like what do you get a president with a 69% approval rating and an 81% likability rating.... I know! His 60th Senate vote. Cant wait for the Daily Show to come on.

[Xylem44]

I was thoroughly looking forward to the 2010 elections, but this feels so much better than what imagined 60 votes would feel like! To put it in GOP terms, to them this must feel like getting smacked with you own g.un. LOL

[Lahonda]

...and over in a dark corner of the Senate... Lieberman, seen shaking off a bad case of "McCooties".

[Ajegunle]

CHI CHING!

[boycottrightwingthings]

Welcome, Senator Spector!! : ) Great news. Now will the other moderates have the courage to follw? You know that the Repugs don't really want you unless you are voting their way- or the highway. Repug chairman Steele said you won't be getting any money from him for your re-election. Come on Snowe and the rest of the moderates, you are welcome with us!

[BIG JOHN]

TO USE A BASKETBALL TERM, THAT WAS A SLAM DUNK.

[lentinelia]

We all thrilled, Senator Sphincter.

[StopGlobalWarmingBeVegan]

60 votes to ban meat. Nice. )

[FloridaMich]

all aboard the ditch and switch train.....who's next?

[ChangeNeeder]

HAPPY 100th day Mr. President!

[Lahonda]

...can we have an "Amen" here? I have not seen a jam like that since Jordan!

[ntmessage]

If the Obama administration continues to lead the charge as the party of competency, common sense and moderation, we may never get to bipartisanship. If Obama can actually achieve a fiscally responsible outcome, then the GOP will be left with a few religious fanatics propped up by big oil money, clearly a faction of the population that has wielded way too much influence upon our society, and at a huge price.

[blastit]

I don't want Rethuglicans in the Democratic party we have enough problems without them adding to it let them switch to Independent or something.

[americanalien]

I want as many people in the Democratic party as possible. The more the better. It is puritan mentality like yours that is now destroying the GOP.

[MarionWatts]

I've come to patriotism late in life - and I was in the Bicentenniel graduating class at university. With Obama's election, for the first time in my adult life, I AM proud to be an American. Does that make me un-American?

[super]

How is he any worse than all those blue dogs you just elected?

[writestuff2]

I always admired Senator Specter because he kept his own voice and didn't seem to follow the usual suspects in the repub party. Hooray for us! I wish him well within the new fold and particularly with his health. Be well Senator!