On Tuesday April 28, Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter made a big change in his career. The long time Republic made a switch to the Democratic Party. Even though he has chosen the less conservative party, he will still be keeping many on his republican views the same. There are many reasons for his big changed that shocked a number of people but President Obama supports Specter and is “thrilled” about having him join the Democrats.
Specter has been represented Pennsylvania for 29 years and part of the reason he made the decision to change political parties was the desire to keep his seat in the Senate. He knew that the likelihood of being reelected in 2010 as a Republican wasn‘t very likely and he wanted to win a sixth term. He made a statement saying, "I was unwilling to subject my 29-year record in the U.S. Senate to the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate, but I am pleased to run in the primary on the Democratic ticket and am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers in the general election."
The GOP wasn’t too pleased that he had made this immense change for personal political motivations but he has made his decision despite what certain people think. "As the Republican Party has moved farther and farther to the right, I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party," Specter said as another reason why he decided to make the switch.
Arlen was publicly welcomed into the Democratic Party by Obama and Vice President Joe Biden the day after he made his announcement. "I have the honor of standing next to the newest Democrat from the state of Pennsylvania. I know the decision Senator Specter made yesterday wasn't easy -- it required long and careful consideration and it required courage. But I know that it also reflects an independence that has been a hallmark of Arlen Specter's career since the days he arrived in Washington. He has never been in the Senate to fight for any particular party, but rather for the men and women of Pennsylvania who sent him here," Obama said about the new Democrat.
In the future we will be seeing how Senator Arlen’s changeover has affected the political parties and see how his ideals play in whether it was a good decision or not.
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