Just read that GOP Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is switching to to the Democratic party, putting the Democrats one seat closer to 60. (If Al Franken is ever seated they'll be at 60.)
There's some self-interest at play here. As Cillizza lays out here, Specter is up for reelection in 2010 and he was facing a very difficult primary challenge from former Pennsylvania Rep. Pat Toomey (who headed the uber-conservative Club for Growth from 2005 till recently).
Specter has long been one of the more moderate Republicans in Congress (he's pro-choice and as ranking Republican of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee he tends to support more funding for those programs rather than less, especially when it comes to health programs).
On a personality note, Specter can be a cranky guy, at least when dealing with reporters. (Not that his constituents necessarily care about his demeanor with reporters; presumably, they elect him based on his stance on the issues). But he has also survived numerous health challenges. He was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin’s disease in 2005 but still retained his chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee as it held hearings on Roberts' and Alito's confirmations to the Supreme Court. He was diagnosed with a recurrence last year. Part of his secret is that he plays squash almost every day.
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