GOP Sen. Specter joining Dems; switch shifts Senate

WASHINGTON -- Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter on Tuesday described his switch to the Democratic Party as "a painful decision," and he assured voters, "I will retain my independence, regardless of party label."

The party swap pushes Democrats closer to a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority.

"I know that I am disappointing many of my friends and colleagues – frankly I have been disappointed by many of the responses, so disappointment runs in both directions," Specter said at an afternoon news conference.

"Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right," Specter said in a statement released earlier. "Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."

Specter, 79 and in his fifth term, is one of a handful of Republican moderates remaining in Congress. With Specter, Democrats would have 59 Senate seats. Al Franken, leading in a marathon recount in Minnesota against Republican Norm Coleman, could become the party's 60th vote. That is the number needed to overcome a filibuster.

Earlier in the day, outside the Senate floor, he was approached by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who shook Specter's hand and thanked him, adding, "You're a good friend."

Specter had faced a stiff re-election challenge in his home state in 2010. Former three-term Republican congressman Pat Toomey was gaining conservative support for his primary challenge. Had Specter fended off Toomey, he would have had to face a Democrat from a party that has gained strength and numbers in recent years.

"What Pennsylvanians must now ask themselves is whether Sen. Specter is in fact devoted to any principle other than his own re-election," Toomey said in a statement.

Philadelphia civic leader Joe Torsella, who had been a leading candidate in the Democratic primary, said he planned to remain in the race.

Specter's decision drew an immediate and sharp response from Republicans, including National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.