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Capitol View®
Tom Scheck

Franken will be 60…

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The GOP could come even harder at Democrat Al Franken if this is true (in other words, drag this thing out):

WASHINGTON (AP) - Several officials say veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania intends to switch parties, advancing his own hopes of winning a new term next year while pushing Democrats one step closer to a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority.

The sources said an announcement could come later in the day - or Wednesday. The officials who provided the information did so on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss his plans.

Specter is a 79-year-old veteran of five Senate terms, and one of only a handful of moderate Republicans left in Congress in a party made up largely of conservatives.

Democrats will have a filibuster proof majority if Specter switches and Franken is sworn in. Specter was facing a GOP challenge from former GOP Congressman Pat Toomey.

Mulcahy adds--

Norm Coleman's campaign manager Cullen Sheehan just released this statement:

"Senator Coleman's focus remains on the thousands of Minnesota citizens who have not had their voices heard or their votes counted. We will keep on fighting to enfranchise these voters and to ensure that every legally cast ballot is opened and counted."

And Franken spokesman Andy Barr said this:

"Sen.-elect Franken looks forward to working with Senators of both parties to make progress on President Obama's agenda and move our country forward."