Sen. Arlen Specter switches to Democratic Party, increased majority may fend off filibusters over climate, energy legislation

In Washington, five-term Republican senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched to the Democratic Party yesterday, which combined with independent votes and the possible inclusion of Minnesota senatorial candidate Al Franken (sweating out a messy recount in Minnesota) would give the Democrats a 60 vote supermajority in the US Senate.

This would permit the party to overcome filibusters that may have emerged over the prospective Energy Bill, including cap-and-trade legislation, and paves the way for clean energy legislation this year. Senate Republican leader described Specter’s switch was “threat to the country.”

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