turncoat

Only 21 times in the history of the United States congress has a sitting senator switched political parties. Today, moderate Arlen Spector from Pennsylvania has left the Republican Party to become a Democrat. He stated in his press conference today that the GOP had become too far right wing and his views had gradually become more in line with the Dems than Republicans. This is very interesting to me for several reasons. One, assuming that Al Franken wins the senate battle in Minnesota, that means the Democrats would have a filibuster proof, 60-40 seat majority. It would be the first time since 1937 that has occurred. Two, this shakes up the Pennsylvania senate race. The Penn senate battle was shaping up to be brutal and expensive. Arlen Spector will hardly become some socialist just because he has changed parties. My guess is he will remain a very conservative Democrat along the same lines as Joe Lieberman from Connecticut and Evan Bayh from Indiana. Regardless, I have no doubt that Obama is very pleased. Considering he is enjoying a huge majority in the house, and now a filibuster proof senate, Obama has free range to pass any agenda he sees fit. This is obviously an enormous opportunity for the Democrats... or setting up for major failure and a 1994 like takeover by Republicans. Regardless, this is just another dark day for the Republican Party.

1. I saw two movies today. This morning I rented the Kate Hudson/Anne Hathaway movie Bride Wars. It was awful. I give it a D+. This evening I saw the new Seth Rogan movie Observe and Report. It is not a light, fun comedy. It is a very dark comedy filled with tragedy, perversion, but a lot of humor. I give it a B. It is worth seeing but it is definitely not a good date movie.

2. Currently listening to "Jump around" by House of Pain.