Obama, Biden, welcome Specter to Democratic Party

[March 19, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has hailed Arlen Specter's conversion to the Democratic Party and Specter vowed that he'll be an asset as Obama tries to get his ambitious agenda through Congress.

Obama said, "I am grateful that he is here."

Specter was joined by Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at the White House Wednesday morning. Specter noted that he and longtime friend Biden "have talked over every problem under the sun and the moon."

With a beaming Obama standing at his side, Specter said that "I think that I can be of assistance to you, Mr. President. ... There are a lot of big issues we're tackling now that I've been deeply involved in."

[Associated Press; By LIZ SIDOTI]

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