CAPITOL HILL

Specter is all smiles at the party celebrating his coming out.

Specter Clarifies Switch: He's Now Gay, Not Democrat

WASHINGTON (CAP) - Longtime Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter has stepped forward to clarify recent media reports that suggested he had switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party. He said it wasn't his political affiliation that he switched; it was his sexual affiliation. Specter is now gay.

"In the course of the last several months, I have found myself increasingly at odds with the policies of the heterosexual agenda and more in line with the philosophy of my fellow homosexual men," Specter announced at a news conference to clear up the misconception.

"I know I'm disappointing many of my colleagues, especially the ladies at the Royal Palace," Specter continued. "But as my special friend Lance pointed out, it's always good to go out on top."

Political observers say Specter's move is indicative of the pro-homosexual shift taking place in the country, with states like Iowa and Vermont the latest to extend equal rights to gays and lesbians. Some pundits believe Specter is just the first of many who will likely jump ship on their own sexual persuasion and start playing for the other team.

"Gay is the 'in' thing right now," said CAP News political analyst Fuad Reveiz. "There's gay marriage, gay sock hops, gay soda jerks - gays are starting to pick up a lot of clout, so Specter's wise to get in early so he doesn't come across as a gay tagalong."

Former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig called Specter shortly after hearing the news over a Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport terminal television, according to a man who occupied a bathroom stall beside Craig before the call.

"You have my full support, and we're thrilled to have you," Craig told Specter.

Gossip columnist Perez Hilton applauded the move, saying Carrie Prejean, who declared her opposition to same-sex marriage during the Miss USA pageant, could learn a thing or two from "this old pasty white guy who's like the gay father of our country." He implored Specter to make his first act as gay senator a focus on bringing more gays to Iowa so the state's recent ruling on gay marriage isn't for naught.

"Now that's one senator's stimulus package I can get behind!" Hilton wrote on his website.

Congress is no stranger to gay politics; back in 2006, House Democrats admitted to an agenda that would have replaced incumbent Republicans with homosexual Democrats. The House A Homo plan failed miserably but did pave the way for more openness and greater sensitivity between the parties.