But while Specter supports Obama's economic initiatives, he made clear he would not be a rubber stamp for Democrats.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Specter has fought Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system, but says his health is restored and he feels fine.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

At a news conference Tuesday, Specter said the decision to leave the Republican party was not an easy one.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

But Specter said he found himself increasingly at odds with a Republican Party that has moved to the right.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter who switched parties from Republican to Democrat earlier this year says the Democratic Party leadership had no choice.

VOA: standard.2009.12.27

The 79-year-old Specter was one of the most senior Republicans in the Senate and held influential positions on Judiciary and Appropriations committees.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Republican Senator Orrin Hatch - like Senator Specter - is a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

VOA: standard.2009.05.03

His challenger,Joe Sestak, broadcast blistering TV ads saying Specter had switched parties because he was worried about saving one job - his own.

VOA: standard.2010.05.19

Among the skeptics is Democratic Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who also appeared on Fox News Sunday.

VOA: standard.2009.11.23

and by the time they figure out why, it may be too late as,one by one, the specter kills them in their sleep.

VOA: standard.2010.05.04

Specter had been a Republican senator up until last year, when he switched to the Democratic Party, with the backing of President Barack Obama.

VOA: standard.2010.05.19

The newest Democrat in the U.S.Senate - former Republican Arlen Specter - is urging the president to add to the diversity of the court.

VOA: standard.2009.05.03

Specter has shown his independence as a Republican,most recently by becoming one of only three members of his party to vote for President Obama's economic stimulus package.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky expressed his disappointment with Specter's decision, saying it could undermine Republicans' ability to put a check on the Democratic majority.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Public opinion polls showed Specter would fare better as a Democrat.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Reid told reporters he had been making overtures to Specter to join the Democratic Party for some time, even before the senator from Pennsylvania faced a difficult reelection contest.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Democratic Senator Arlen Specter of Virginia saw his 30-year Senate career come crashing to an end Tuesday night, losing to Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak in a Democratic primary vote.

VOA: standard.2010.05.19

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, acknowledged Specter's independent streak, and said there would continue to be a need for cooperation from Republicans in accomplishing the nation's business.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, a Democrat, had his hands full trying to calm down a man in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, who was angry about being denied a chance to ask a question.

VOA: standard.2009.08.12

Specter's announcement is the latest setback for Republicans, who lost control of the Senate and House of Representatives in 2006 and lost the White House and more seats in Congress last year.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

During an appearance on the NBC television program Meet the Press, Specter said he would also like to see the president reach beyond the federal court system - the traditional training ground for members of the high court.

VOA: standard.2009.05.03

Senator Specter, who's been in the Senate for 29 years, would face a difficult reelection contest next year as a Republican in Pennsylvania, a state that backed Barack Obama over Republican John McCain in last year's presidential race.

VOA: standard.2009.04.28

Analysts say that Republicans have had some success in raising doubts about the Obama health care initiative by focusing on the impact of the plan on the growing federal budget deficit and by raising the specter of too much government interference in the health care sector.

VOA: standard.2009.09.02

Specter's announcement was welcomed by White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, who said Specter's support would be important in implementing President Obama's economic plan: "Let me repeat what the president told Senator Specter this morning, that he has the president's full support, that he is thrilled that he switched parties and is a Democrat and that we look forward to working as we have on the Recovery and Reinvestment Plan with Senator Specter,"

VOA: standard.2009.04.28