Specter says party switch to be beneficial

HAZLETON, Pa., May 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., says switching from the Republican to Democratic Party should give him a better chance of extending his political career.

While visiting Hazleton, Pa., Specter said his new political party affiliation should give him an advantage during his next re-election campaign and therefore give him additional time to help bring federal funds to Pennsylvania, the Scranton (Pa.) Times Tribune reported Saturday.

"I've done a lot of it up until now with the capacity to do a whole lot more," Specter said Friday.

Specter's party switch came after polls indicated he would have a difficult time being re-nominated by the Republican Party next year.

"If there had been any real chance of succeeding on the Republican side, I would have stayed there," Specter said regarding such findings.

The Times Tribune said the senator, who officially announced his party changeover Tuesday, also said his new party allegiance would be particularly beneficial given the recent election of U.S. President Barack Obama, a Democrat.