Specter Joins Democrats; Senate Count May Reach 60

Arlen Specter's decision to become a Democrat relates to a lot of what we have been reading. The bottom line is he is an ambitious politican who wants to be re-elected. And the best way for him to that is to become a Democrat.

This obviously also helps the Democratic Party and President Obama. Assuming Al Franken is eventually seated, that puts the Democrats at 60 seats in the Senate, a fillibuster proof majority. But there are still many factions to contend with. For instance, the liberals from the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast still have to debate with Senators Nelson (Nebraska), Dorgan, Baucus, Tester, and others from more conservative parts of the country.