Swag Award of the Week April 27 - May 3

To say that the Democrats had a big week would be an understatement. President Obama got the party started as his epic presidency reached its milestone 100th day. Pundits and average Joe's alike reflected on the accomplishments, and highlighted the work to be done as the Obama administration reached its first checkpoint. It must have been a big day for the Democrats as FOX was the only broadcast network that refused to show President Obama's speech to the nation on that night...

The jovial mood within the party only increased as Arlen Specter, a 29 year Republican Senator from Pennsylvania announced that he was jumping ship and joining the Democrats. Specter admitted that he had grown discontent with the message of his party and knew his odds of winning re-election representing the GOP in Pennsylvania, a state that skews bluer every election were slim. Specter was a moderate, and was one of only three Republicans to vote in favor of the Obama Stimulus package. He supports abortion rights, stem cell research, and opposes bans on same-sex marriage. 

Specter's statement about switching to the Democratic party:

Specters move could be the final component Democrats need to obtain a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. If Al Franken wins (they've been trying to decide who won since November) the contested election in Minnesota  which is looking more and more plausible, the Democrats would have the 60 seats needed to avoid filibuster by the GOP. The importance of those 60 seats for the Dems will be helpful as the Obama administration plans to reform health care, tackle climate change, etc. 

The party that brought us the America's first black President also welcomed one of the most senior Senators from the GOP into its ranks. Not a bad week. Swag levels and approval ratings for the Democrats are extremely high right now.