Eschaton Reporting:
Shuster just said that Dems promised not to field primary candidate against Specter. Obviously they can’t stop someone from running, but it does mean the state party and the DSCC will throw their weight behind Specter to some degree.
Craptacular.
— Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, multiple sources tell CNN.
Update: The Fix:
“I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary,” said Specter in a statement. “I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.”
He added: “Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.”