Red Rover, Red Rover...Send Arlen on over.

In a move that is as much as political survival as anything, Senator Arlen Specter announced today that he is switching parties and will run for re-election as a Democrat.

The political reality is well-known. Specter would lose in the upcoming Republican primary. I think he's got some good writers, as I love his comment in his statement below dealing with that (the comment about representing all the people of Pennsylvania).

Make of it what you will, but there is no denying this: Specter has long been the Republicans' moderate. And he no longer can win the Republican nomination. I am sure he will get killed with the RINO remarks, but Republicans should be asking themselves what that means. Is that widening the tent? Is it a good sign of where your party is headed? Because when you boil this down to the brass tacks, what it's really saying is that the Palins, Ditto-heads, tea-baggers and Michele Bachmans of the world just forced one of your own to move his seat across the aisle. I'm not real sure that is how your party is going to find its way...

"I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard
for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose
tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been
comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken
each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I
thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

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.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be
popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to
lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now
experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and
office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion.
It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our
differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have
my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary
electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the
people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic
primary.
I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my
candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and
supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that
so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me
to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially
Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.

I am not making this decision because there are no important and
interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for
re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I
believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of
the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened
thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my
seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to
Pennsylvania's economy.

I am taking this action now because there are fewer
than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be
done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign
contributions contributed during this cycle.

While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of
us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American
people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And
no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party
loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.

My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a
party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the
Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords' switch which changed party control, I will
not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees
Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by
President Kennedy's statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does,
I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think
is best for Pennsylvania and America."

Of course, all this could simply be yet another in one of GOP Chairman Michael Steele's briliant ploys to find out where everyone is on the chessboard, baby! (Think Pink and The Brain...)