59 or 60?

Arlen Specter just announced that he's becoming a Democrat.

So much to say about this... But, the first thing I thought of was how Bush and Rove, in a temporary effort to maintain the GOP's 2004 Senate majority, believed Specter was the most electable Senatorial candidate a few years ago, so they supported him over Pat Toomey.

(Ironically, Toomey will be challenging Specter again next year.)

Just six weeks ago Specter promised not to switch parties.

"I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That's the basis of politics in America. I'm afraid we are becoming a one-party system, with Republicans becoming just a regional party with so little representation of the northeast or in the middle atlantic. I think as a governmental matter, it is very important to have a check and balance. That's a very important principle in the operation of our government. In the constitution on Separation of powers."

But then he saw the polls that have Toomey up double digits after Specter's pitiful vote for the Obama porkulus bill. Political survival makes you do stuff you normally wouldn't, right Arlen? Chicken bleep.

Now, all the Democrats have to do is hope the Supreme Court makes the wrong call in the Minnesota Senate race and they'll have themselves a filibuster-proof 60 Senate seat Majority.

Update: Oh, look! Joe Biden supposedly had 'a big role' in flipping Specter. I'm glad 'Slow Joe' has had something productive to do. At least the Vice President isn't plagiarizing speeches anymore.