Quotes on Specter's switch to the Democratic Party

Reaction to Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter plans to switch from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party:

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"Sen. Specter's decision today represents the height of political self-preservation." - Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

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"I welcome Sen. Specter and his moderate voice to our diverse caucus, and to continuing our open and honest debate about the best way to make life better for the American people." - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

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"Sen. Specter has long been a leading moderate voice in the Senate, and I believe that his decision is more a reflection of Pennsylvania politics than anything else." - Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

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"I enthusiastically welcome my good friend Arlen Specter into the Democratic caucus. It will be very good to have the company of yet another independent-minded Democrat in the caucus." - Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.

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"Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first." - Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

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"Arlen Specter gives our side of the aisle not only a numerical boost, but also an intellectual shot in the arm." - Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.V.

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"Ultimately, we're heading to having the smallest political tent in history, the way events have been unfolding. If the Republican Party fully intends to become a majority party in the future, it must move from the far right back toward the middle." - Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

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"It's more important for the country than it is for the Democratic caucus, but it's good news for our caucus, obviously." - Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

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"I know Arlen will continue to vote his conscience and I will do my best to ensure that all Republican members continue to have a voice in the Senate." - Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio.

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"The really good news for us is that the Republican reversion to knee-jerk filibuster at every whim cannot happen." - Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

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"I am deeply disappointed that Sen. Specter would choose to align himself with so many of the irresponsible policies we are seeing the Democrats attempting to implement in Washington." - Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa.

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"This is a big moment. When Jim Jeffords left the Republican Party, he was the canary in the coal mine warning of Bush era ideological excess, and Sen. Specter's decision eight years later signals its tipping point." - Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

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"I have tremendous respect for Sen. Specter; he's given great service for the country, and that's the decision he made, and we welcome him." - Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va.

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"Sen. Specter has confirmed what we already knew - he's a liberal devoted to more spending, more bailouts and less economic freedom." - Chris Chocola, president of Club for Growth.

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"I don't think this will result in big changes on policy ... It will, however, help us get to substantive debate on important issues." - Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.