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Defection coup marks Obama's first 100 days
Paul Thompson29.04.09
Barack Obama was today handed the ideal gift to celebrate his 100th day in office as a senior Republican defected to the Democrats.
The President promised to throw his "full support" behind veteran Senator Arlen Specter who stunned US politics by switching sides.
Mr Obama will campaign and raise money for Mr Specter's re-election bid in Pennsylvania next year and is said to be "thrilled" to have him on his side.
The defection adds to the woes of the Republican party after its comprehensive defeat in the election.
Political experts said Mr Specter crossing the floor highlights the disarray the party faces following John McCain's election defeat and the ridiculing of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Mr Obama was told about the 79-year-old's defection during an economic briefing. He was handed a note by an aide that read: "Specter is announcing he is changing parties."
The President contacted Mr Specter, one of only three Republicans to support his financial stimulus package, on the phone minutes later and told him: "You have my full support." He added: "We are thrilled to have you." When asked by reporters about the change, he smiled and gave the thumbs up.
The defection comes as the President stages a live televised press conference tonight to mark his 100 days in power.
Mr Specter is considered a moderate and is the 12th most senior politician in the Senate, having held his seat for 29 years. Vice-President Joe Biden, a long time friend of Mr Specter, is known to have had an influence on his decision to change parties after 42 years. Mr Specter called his decision "painful," and said he made it based on public and private polling in Pennsylvania that showed the prospects for winning a Republican primary in Pennsylvania were "bleak".
He said: "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.
"I'm not prepared to have my 29-year record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary. This is a decision that has been reached gradually as I have travelled the state.
"This is a painful decision. I know I'm disappointing many of my colleagues. The disappointment runs in both directions. I'm putting principle at the top of the list."
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said the move was to further Mr Specter's political interests, adding that the Republican party was looking forward to defeating him next year.
The switch puts Senate Democrats one vote shy of a filibuster-proof majority of 60 seats. They can reach the 60-seat mark if Al Franken holds his current lead in the disputed Minnesota Senate race.
Reader views (9)
NO. The world can still critisize, hate, envy and blame us for being more successful than they are.
- Frank, ex-England
At least President Obama shows he has more ‘GUTS’ than any empowered UK Governing body to do what is right.
He has for a start arranged for most all of his family and friends to use the Compressed Air Driven Car.
See proof link video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov4t1P9bdGw
Instead of this stupid pretentious act by UK Gov for try to promote the Electric Car at a time when the UK has a power shortage coupled with alleged serious so-called Green Issues.
Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk
- Carl Barron, Christchurch, Dorset
Specter is a pig and the obamanation is destroying this nation. He is a committed communist who will not stop until he has changed this country into another Europeon socialist/communist nation. Obama feels at home with the likes of Fidal Castro and Hugo Chavez who also hates America.
Please pray for our nation that we can survive the next 3 1/2 years.
- Bigarch, North Carolina
Who cares.
- Ebin Donk, angus scotland
The man has seen the winds of change and felt the passing of time and done the obvious and sensible thing;change party. No crime in any democracy.Churchill change many times - no one point a finger at him.
I haven`t a clue who you are but well done Specter!
- Stephen Bluestone, London
Ah, we tend to not use the words 'defection' and 'coup' here in the US to describe this sort of situation. Although we are starting to look like a third world banana republic.
Specter has been a Republican In Name Only (RINO) for most of his career. Take a look at his voting record and you will find he sides with the liberals much more often than the conservatives. His 'official shift' does not surprise or shock anyone that has been paying attention, and makes little difference considering his voting record.
- Trunk, US
Simple answer to a simple question = NO
- Mike, London England
It would be as morally wrong in the UK, even with Labour doing the dirty deed, as it was in the USA. Specter was voted in as a Republican, by Republican voters. He has raised two fingers rampant to the voters there with his action. Represent the voters? He is MISrepresenting them now.
- Rogan, Irving
I wish we had a few Labour MPs with the guts to defect. Or even to vote against the party's Stalinist tendencies and leadership. But no, all they are interested in is staying in power, filling their pockets, and climbing the ladder.
Pond slime.
- Nigel, London
