The Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously declared Democrat Al Franken the winner today in the drawn-out battle over the state's U.S. Senate seat, forcing the Republican incumbent, Norm Coleman, to concede the race and handing Senate Democrats the coveted 60-seat Senate majority.

Sen. Arlen Specter's switch to the Democratic Party today seemingly further improves the prospects for President Obama's agenda in a wide range of areas, even as the Pennsylvania senator declared that the change would do little to alter his stance on key issues. "I will not be an automatic 60th vote," Specter told reporters this afternoon. "If the Democratic Party asks too much, I will not hesitate to disagree and vote my independent thinking."

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter today said he will switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in a move that could give Democrats a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

Minnesota Democrat Al Franken took another step toward being seated in the Senate yesterday when a three-judge panel ruled he had received more votes in last November's election, but his Republican opponent Norm Coleman immediately announced his legal fight would continue.