Just because Sen. Arlen Specter switched to the Democrats doesn't mean that it's smooth sailing here on out from Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Specter will likely vote with Democrats on a number of issues, but as he said he's not going to be an "automatic" 60th vote, just because he is now Sen. Arlen Specter (D.)
But for Democrats, it's an important vote. They will edge their way up to 60 officially, whenever Al Franken is finally declared the winner in Minnesota.
That matter is now before the Minnesota Supreme Court, which is not going to hold arguments until June, meaning it could be into the Summer before a final decision is made.
But even when Franken shows up, it doesn't mean Democrats will be able to muster 60 votes every time they need them.
The focus then will shift to more conservative Democrats, who don't always see eye-to-eye with their leadership.
At the top of that list, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Both of the Democrats from Arkansas aren't lock step with their more liberal colleagues either, as Sen. Mark Pryor and Sen. Blanche Lincoln can operate on their own.
And I wouldn't count on all the Western Democrats either, like Jon Tester of Montana.
As for the two remaining more moderate Republicans in the Senate, Olympia Snow and Susan Collins of Maine, both told reporters yesterday they were not switching parties.
Of course, I never thought Specter would switch either.
The Specter move greatly increases the chances that Democrats will hold both seats in Pennsylvania after the 2010 elections.
And with open seats in important states like Florida and Ohio, it is conceivable that Democrats could win an even bigger majority.
But there's a lot of time between now and November of 2010.
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