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

[DGarr]

I just hope he brings strong support for the Dems. I'm anxious to see how he votes.

[PiscesPrincess]

Bet you better than Evan Bayh. lol I can see him going over to the Repubs.

[Sportswoman]

Let us hope and pray it all bodes well for that which matters most in this country at this time: improving the economy, revamping health care and reforming education.

[PiscesPrincess]

amen.

[furtivelook]

Why would any Democrat welcome this conservative cretin to the party?

[CessnaDriver]

Oh, thank God, thank you....I am not the only one!

[Max-OneTruePatriot]

Why? You are against having a fillibuster proof majority?

[Max-OneTruePatriot]

i hope you aren't really a dem.

[TheFabOne]

Because personally, I'm enjoying seeing the Republican party implode from within. A house built on sand shall not stand.

To you, the GOP, if I may quote Tupac Shakur, I've got two words for you: "Die Slow".

[chronic]

Good question.

[Cunningham]

I don't trust Mr.MagicBu­llet, tool of A I P A C, 30-year republican in the least.

[PwnedByJesus]

Obama is being to modest. There is no way this happens without some influence, directly or indirectly, from his administration. The chances that Rahn Emmanuel had nothing to do with this are zero.

[PiscesPrincess]

doubt it. look at Arlen Spector's prospects in PA primaries. He would have had an uphill battle on his hands. This way, he's a shoe in from the Democrats side. lol

[bluebird47]

I sent him a welcome email. I have a great amount of respect for Sen. Specter, glad to have him on our side.

[keshea01]

me to. I tried to call but the line is busy, I knowwww there are many Republicans bashing him so I wanted to reach out and send him a positive message.

[bryan43036]

good there is no room in our party for a traitor

[CessnaDriver]

Then why did the repugs take Norm Coleman?

[trunk65]

Oh boy. Steele is on Fox, said Specter flipped the bird at the GOP. Everyone raise your middle finger in unison.

[PiscesPrincess]

Done ! lol

[Xylem44]

doing it right now.

[wltdnfaded]

I dunno, looks like you're opening up more room by the minute!

[StillIRise]

From my perspective, it looks like there's plenty of room in your party ...

[JKPHILLY]

Specter!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!

[trunk65]

Now he says this is slap in face to GOP. That will surely leave a mark.

[facet]

Maybe they'll try to erase it with some vanishing cream.

[Boopsie2008]

Republicans are now warning of the dire consequences of not having "checks and balances" in the Senate if Dems have filibuster proof majority.

So, that was fine for ya under Bush but now, suddenly, it's magically a huge threat to democracy itself?

What a bunch of hypocrites. It's ok if it works for them, not if it works for the Democrats.

Oh, please. Spare us your indignant patriotism. It's just GOP sour grapes.

[Max-OneTruePatriot]

It's not "if", it's more like "when". Frankin won, and Coleman will have to accept that at some point.

[Max-OneTruePatriot]

ugh. should be "Franken".

[CessnaDriver]

No, he doesn't. Remember who you are dealing with in Normie.

Just for giggles, read the comments on the Senate race story in the StarTribune website. It's very clear that the republicans are just using the appeals to filibuster Mr. Franken's seating in the senate.

[vinva]

Next up: Sen Collins and Sen. Snow. This is going to trigger a domino effect.

[JudgeCCrater]

...and the eventual formation of a "moderate R" party composed of Blue Dog D's? Still, I hope you're right. Snowe and Collins must be getting awfully tired of the R's far right drift into LaLa Land. The GOP of Boehner and Cantor richly deserves extinction.

[DNoonan]

Snowe and Collins, let's do this.

http://www.pufferfishblog.com/

[TomNY]

Maybe other moderate republican will come to their sense to come join the party of change.

[samilli3]

So Michael Steele on CNN.....Sa­ying Mr.. Specter must love the socialist approach to government and good riddance..­.ha ha ha....thes­e people just don't learn...th­ere is NO SOCIALIM going on in America.

[NOLAMoCity]

And if there is a SOICALISM movement, it didn't start with Obama.

[vegancheesenut]

Yeah there is........­..it's called social security, libraries, roads, police, fire protection, medicare..­.....and I like it.

[crabcake]

It's about time he came out of the closet and publicly confessed.

[Crix]

Way to go, Speck. I always knew you were too sensible and likable to stay a Republican.

[MissKaren]

The GOP just lost a BIG.

[CessnaDriver]

Likeable? He was the main repug behind the horrible dog-and-pony show that was the Clarence Thomas hearings.

He's a mean, untrustworthy little man.

[chronic]

I tend to agree.

[WANSU]

If you had any DOUBT HOW FOR WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAVE DONE IN THESE LAST 100 DAYS. Here is your answer Sen. Specter switching to Democratic party ..this what you I call delayed " Political Coat Tail" of 2008 general election. I am at work now..I don't know what spins: Fox, CNN and Right wing talk radio is putting on this one today!!!!!. I don't expect Mr Specter to vote with the Pres, and his new party in everything but his addition has upside than downside to Democratic party. If you hear pundits attacking the President.­.just tell them to look at the score board 60 Senators in 2008 election for Democratic party..thi­s is what you call MEGA POLITICAL COAT TAIL!