Dems to reach 60 votes in Senate with Specter!

OK, I was at a lunch meeting, so I’m late on this, but holy shit! Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced around noon that he’ll switch parties, giving the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority of 60 in the U.S. Senate. That’s not to say, of course, that Specter can be counted on to always vote with his party — he’s always been more of a free radical in that regard — but it gives Pres. Obama a helluva weapon for pushing through his agenda.

From the NYT:

“I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans,” Mr. Specter said, acknowledging that his decision was certain to disappoint colleagues and supporters.

Assuming Al Franken is finally confirmed as the winner in Minnesota, the Democrats will possess 60 seats for the first time since the Carter era. For all Karl Rove’s talk of a “permanent Republican majority,” the Bush-led GOP never managed to reach that magic number. In your face, Karl!

For those who’d prefer an alt-weekly version of the story, check out the Jackson Free Press story, Arlen Specter To Join the Wu-Tang Clan.