Senator’s switch of party ‘thrills’ Obama

VETERAN US Republican Senator Arlen Specter plans to switch parties, a move intended to boost his chances of re-election next year that also will push Democrats within one seat of a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority.

“I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans,” Specter said.

President Barack Obama called Specter almost immediately after he was informed of the decision to say the Democratic Party was “thrilled to have you,” according to a White House official. Republicans said his defection was motivated by ambition, not principle.