Specter wins endorsement from AFL-CIO

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The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO today endorsed Sen. Arlen Specter in the upcoming Democratic primary, a powerful affirmation of how smoothly the five-term incumbent has completed his transition since leaving the Republican Party less than a year ago.

"In our opinion Senator Arlen Specter is the strongest advocate and supporter for good jobs, fair trade policies, workers' rights and quality affordable health care for all," said Bill George, president of the umbrella group, which represents 900,000 workers statewide.

"He is a proven leader who has stood with working families when the chips are down, especially his key role in passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment of 2009 which has protected jobs, helped unemployed workers, and prevented this nation from sinking into another great depression," George said.

It is that crucial vote for the $787 billion federal stimulus that forced Specter to abandon the GOP, after the party's base rebelled against the spending. After the vote, former Rep. Pat Toomey announced a challenge to Specter in the Republican primary, and the incumbent switched a few weeks later, saying he could not win re-nomination.

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