Top 10 Political Defections
Republican apostate Arlen Specter's move to join the Democrats has shaken Congress, but he's not alone. Over the years, scores of politicians have danced from one side of the aisle to the other. TIME rounds up the top 10 political defections in U.S. history.
Just one day after the Republicans won control of both houses of Congress in the 1994 midterm elections, marking the end of 40 years of Democratic dominance, second-term Alabama Senator Richard Shelby jumped ship from the listing Democratic Party. Popular in his home state, Shelby had publicly butted heads with President Bill Clinton, voting against the young Administration on almost every partisan issue. By joining the Republicans, Shelby boosted their advantage in the Senate to 53-47. "I am changing to a party of hope for America," he proclaimed.
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