Arlen Specter's Switch  —  The Post asked politicians, former officials and others about the Pennsylvania senator's defection from the Republican Party.  —  Former Republican speaker of the House  —  Arlen Specter's decision to leave the Republican Party in name as he left it in spirit …

Two Republicans blame conservatives  —  Two leading Republicans say Sen. Arlen Specter's decision to become a Democrat highlights the hostility moderates feel from an increasingly conservative GOP.  —  “You haven't certainly heard warm encouraging words about how [the GOP] views moderates …

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter  —  I have been a Republican since 1966.  I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view.  While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am.

Specter on Jeffords  —  When Jim Jeffords became an “Independent” in 2001, Specter wasn't happy.  He said, “I intend to propose a rule change which would preclude a future recurrence of a Senator's change in parties, in midsession, organizing with the opposition, to cause the upheaval which is now resulting.”

Snowe: GOP Has Abandoned Principles; Specter Switch “Devastating”  —  Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, one of the few remaining moderate Republicans in the Senate, said Tuesday that Arlen Specter's abandonment of the GOP is “devastating,” both “personally and I think for the party.”

What Specter's switch says about him, the Democrats and our political spectrum  —  (updated below - Update II)  —  I just contributed my thoughts on Arlen Specter's party switch to the New York Times' “Room for Debate” segment, so I'll post the link to that once that is available (see Update II) …

Regular flu has killed thousands since January  —  (CNN) — There had been no confirmed deaths in the United States related to swine flu as of Tuesday afternoon.  But another virus had killed thousands of people since January and is expected to keep killing hundreds of people every week for the rest of the year.

Obama Orders Review of New York Flight as Cost Put at $328,835  —  President Barack Obama ordered a review of a publicity-photo shoot with one of the planes that serves as Air Force One that cost taxpayers $328,835 and caused a furor in New York City.  —  Obama said he wasn't informed …

Wonderful: Feds Knew NYC Flyover Would Cause Panic, Proceeded Anyway  —  One of those rare times I'm in agreement with Chuckie Schumer. … The idea Obama had no knowledge of what was happening with his own plane is nonsense.  It's just not plausible.  —  He deliberately allowed this to happen.