Posts Tagged ‘al franken’
Our Morning Roundup: New Neighbors Edition
Good Morning, City Desk Readers! It's the first day of July and the forecast doesn't call for 90 degree temperatures so it's already looking like a good one. On the news front, the nation's capital is expecting some new residents that are already getting attention before moving in.
- Minnesota has finally come to its senses and decided that Al Franken will be its second senator. It only took the ballot counters and lawyers eight months to figure that out. The former Saturday Night Live writer will take his seat following the July 4th recess. Franken will be the 60th Democrat in the Senate, making it possible for the party to break a Republican filibuster but he wants everyone to know that he's not looking to block legislation on a regular basis.
Sen. Arlen Specter To Become A Democrat
The Post is reporting that Sen. Arlen Specter has decided to become a Democrat:
"Specter's decision would give Democrats a 60 seat filibuster proof majority in the Senate assuming Democrat Al Franken is eventually sworn in as the next senator from Minnesota. (Former senator Norm Coleman is appealing Franken's victory in the state Supreme Court.)
'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.'"
I guess there's definitely no chance of Chris Matthews running in PA for senate. Huffington Post has Specter's full statement. Philly's City Paper declares this an opportunistic move.






