Arlen Specter, Newbie
Byron York reports that Senate Democrats are stripping Arlen Specter of his seniority, so that he will be treated as the most junior of Senators. York's source takes this as evidence that the Democrats weren't courting Specter and may have been surprised by his sudden switch.
Apart from the fact that it couldn't happen to a more deserving opportunist, Harry Reid's decision to seat Specter at the foot of the class could have practical consequences. It will largely deprive Specter of the strongest argument for his reelection, that he can use his "clout" to deliver goodies to Pennsylvania.
