Phoenix, AZ -- In an ironic twist, the Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party today lauded Senator Arlen Specter's pronouncement that he will defect from the Republican Party to run as a Democrat in next year's mid-term elections. According to published reports, Senator Arlen Specter has issued a statement outlining his plans to run as a Democrat in the 2010 elections.

"While I am disappointed that we have temporarily lost a Republican member of the Senate, the truth is Senator Specter saw the writing on wall," said Chairman Pullen. "His support of President Obama's economic plans for the redistribution of wealth and saddling our children and grandchildren with trillions of dollars of debt placed him at odds with his own party. Many recent polls have indicated that Senator Specter's votes for the $787 billion stimulus, the Wall Street and automotive bailouts and support of card-check legislation have severely damaged his credibility among Republicans."

In late March, a Quinnipiac University poll showed Senator Specter trailing Republican Representative Pat Toomey by double digits, 41-27. To make matters worse for the Senator, only 29% of Pennsylvania Republicans gave Specter a favorable rating, while 60 percent of Democrats gave him the highest ratings amongst voters, including independents.

"The defection of Mr. Specter further locks down any checks and balances in America until we have a chance to make important changes in 2010," said Bruce Ash, National Committeeman for Arizona. "Today's news should give Republicans and all Arizonans another reason to become party activists, get our word out and help our Republican candidates in 2010."

"We shouldn't be too surprised to learn of the Senator's ploy to get reelected, it's been rumored for quite awhile," said Chairman Pullen. "Rather than explain his unwavering support of Congress' radical tax and spending initiatives, he joined his Democrat buddies in a weak attempt to save his political hide. But I would warn Democrat voters in Pennsylvania that Senator Specter is apparently more concerned with his own political survival rather than representing those who voted him into office."