Kaine Welcomes Specter to Democratic Party

The DNC issued this press release today:

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Welcomes Arlen Specter to Democratic Party with "Open Arms," Praises Senator's Ongoing Support for President's Efforts to Turn Economy Around

Specter Switch, Election of Scott Murphy in Republican Leaning Congressional District in New York, Shows Republican Party Has Lost Touch with the American People, Kaine Says

Washington, D.C. – Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement on Senator Arlen Specter’s decision to join the Democratic Party and work with Senate Democrats to achieve the President’s vision for a strong and growing economy.

“I am pleased to offer Senator Specter my sincere congratulations on his decision to join the Democratic Party and I welcome him with open arms,” said DNC Chairman Kaine. “Over nearly three decades in the United States Senate, Senator Specter has represented the people of Pennsylvania with honor, conviction, and an allegiance to deeply held principles that I know will continue to inform his decisions as a member of the Democratic caucus. Senator Specter courageously supported the President's economic recovery package while most Republicans played politics with our nation's economy. The Senator's willingness to set politics aside and be part of finding solutions to our nation's problems will find a welcome reception in the Democratic Party. Coming on the heels of Democrat Scott Murphy's victory in a Republican leaning congressional district in New York state, Senator Specter's decision is additional proof that the Republican Party is in serious trouble because it has lost touch with the American people and their desire for change which was so on display in November.

“As Senator Specter noted, the Republican Party has drifted far to the right and seems more interested in ideology, conflict and obstruction than in working constructively to address the nation's problems, and no longer appeals to moderates, including Senator Specter. I commend Senator Specter on his decision to work with President Obama and Senate Democrats to help turn our economy around, create jobs and put the country back on the right track. We are thrilled to welcome Senator Specter into the Democratic fold and he can count on our full support."