* Great read on the defection as a symptom of a larger problem for Republicans.
* Excellent analysis by Jay Newton-Small
* On the other hand, with weakened Republican opposition, Democrats will really have to take ownership of the big problematic issues - and take responsibility for any failures.
* "Leaving the GOP with one less moderate voice is not good news for the nation."
* Olympia Snowe, on how it didn't have to be like this.
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* Interesting. Ed Rendell talks about Specter's other ideas.
* "Now, the Northeast, I wear my hat backwards, you know, because that's how we roll in the Northeast."