Senator Specter’s bombshell comes on the heels of Democratic Congressman-elect Scott Murphy’s come from behind victory in 20th Congressional seat of New York. It also comes as the ongoing legal battle in Minnesota draws closer to a conclusion that will now make Al Franken the 60th Democratic vote in the U.S. Senate.

In making his announcement that he is now a Democrat, Senator Specter said, “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.”

The incredible grassroots support for President Obama’s economic agenda is not only proving that the Republicans’ “just say no” approach is wrong for America but it’s also helping drive proud Democratic candidates like Scott Murphy to victory and driving courageous leaders like Senator Specter away from their party.

Mathews on Specter SWITCH

Political Thriller — Enough of This TeaBagging!

Senator Specter Makes Big Jump

What Does Spector Move Say About Obama

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Michelle Obama charms Queen during visit to Buckingham Palace:

LONDON — Michelle Obama’s meeting with the Queen began with a handshake and ended in a hug.

U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife arrived Wednesday. After separate meetings on the eve of the G20 summit, the couple attended an evening reception for world leaders hosted by the Queen.

Michelle Obama clearly made an impression on the 82-year-old monarch – so much that the smiling Queen briefly wrapped her arm around the president’s wife in a rare public show of affection.

It was the first time Obama – who is nearly a foot taller – had met the Queen. She also wrapped her arm around the monarch’s shoulder and back.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman who asked not to be identified because of palace policy said he could not remember the last time the Queen had displayed such affection with a visiting dignitary.

“It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection,” he said. “We don’t issue instructions on not touching the Queen.” — [ READ MORE ]

Germans To Obama: “Yes We Can!”

Obama Town Hall Meeting — Strasbourg, France

Sarkozy and Obama Hold Press Conference

Obama’s European Charm Offensive

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‘There are times where I’ve fallen off the wagon,’ the president-elect said when asked in a broadcast interview whether he has kicked the habit.

‘I’ve done a terrific job, under the circumstances, of making myself much healthier,’ he said. ‘And I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House,’ he said on Sunday’s ‘Meet the Press’ on NBC.” — The Associated Press

Directors are reluctant to film scenes that depict a star smoking, because kids tend to copycat the behavior of celebrities. President-elect Barack Obama transcends the realm of politics, he is the brightest star in the world. I’m gratified to learn that he won’t be smoking in the White House, because that would send the wrong signal to young people.

America is entangled in two wars and our economy is in horrible shape — Obama is going to be under tremendous stress. I know Obama is going to be tempted to backslide; I hope a Secret Service agent will be assigned the task of offering Obama a stick of chewing gum everytime he reaches for a cigarette.

I believe that Obama has the wisdom, patience and determination to solve the economic crisis, and if he can manage that miracle quitting smoking once and for all should be a breeze.

Yes we can.

If Americans can throw out conventional thinking and a complete paradigm shift of seismic proportions and elect a black Man with a foreign sounding name, Ignore years of racial acrimony differences, stereotypes, Then we Africans have a lot to learn in regard to democracy, tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

l have just come to learn that true leaders are not made, but are indeed Born. You can have all the experience and the political pedigree, But at the end you cannot deliver no matter what. Certain men exude a certain confidence, integrity and the ability to lead and inspire “Hope” among there respective constituency’s, a good example are a well known cast of characters….

Winston Churchill, the WW2, British prime Minister who inspired hope, among Britons amid hopelessness and potential defeat by the Nazis, Ronald Reagan who won the cold war without firing a single missile, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King jnr who fought for civil rights and inspired American Blacks with his leadership…. Nelson Mandela who emerged from jail and united a racially divided south Africa after years of apartheid, our own Tom Mboya who inspired countless African trade unionists, and young politicians to fight the yoke of colonialism and exploitation only to fall to an assassins bullet…and now Obama.

Obama now has that rare chance to prove he can lead and inspire a whole generation of young people for a better and brighter future.

For us in Africa, it’s time to focus on the fight against well known suspects..Poverty ignorance and disease, tribalism, racism and corruption not necessarily in that order.

We need to invite and initiate open discussion and debate about the road ahead — invite the well known unwanted guest called DEMOCRACY and give him a chance, to prevail/build enviable institutions, and governments elected by the ballot not the bullet.

It’s about time to change the status quo and give our children and people hope for the future.

Phil Ole Sompisha
Mad_Moran

Keith Olbermann Called The Race Tuesday Night

The World Reacted

Mathews Reacted To Obama Victory

In Kenya, Answered Prayers Became All Night Parties

Obama’s Incredible Journey In Pictures

A Civil Rights Movement, Still In Motion

MLK’s Sister Reflects

Chuck Todd — What Happened

Olbermann’s Final Campaign Comment

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The Obama Dunk | More Pictures — The Barack Obama Album