Pennsylvania GOP Senator Arlen Specter, in a sleazy way to get re-elected next year, is switching to the Democratic party.  Specter has been a Republican senator from the Keystone state for over 28 years.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday Obama will raise money and campaign for Specter if asked.

Despite winning election to the Senate five times as a Republican, Specter has jumped ship faced with the prospect of a strong challenge from conservative Pat Toomey in the GOP primary and Pennsylvania trending Democratic.

“I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party,” he said at a news conference, adding “I am not prepared to have my 29 years’ record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate.”

The move likely will be the final nail into the death of Specter’s controversial political career once his current term is up.  Specter was already trailing Pat Toomey in the GOP primary in PA and the move is similar to switching teams at half time in an attempt for playing time and to win.

I think the move will backfire as long time Democratic residents of PA have despised Specter for years and the Republican voters are going to hate Specter with a passion now.  Regardless of party, Specter, like many in Washington, has been in power too long, and it is time for him to leave the scene of his crimes.