Obama and Biden Publicly Welcome Specter to Democratic Party

President Obama and Vice President Biden publicly welcomed Sen. Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party Wednesday, calling him a man of "immense personal courage" and "unmatched integrity."

(Fox News) - President Obama and Vice President Biden publicly welcomed Sen. Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party Wednesday, calling him a man of "immense personal courage" and "unmatched integrity."

"Arlen Specter is one tough hombre," Obama said during a morning news conference Wednesday inside the White House.

"I have the honor of standing next to the newest Democrat from the state of Pennsylvania. I know the decision Senator Specter made yesterday wasn't easy -- it required long and careful consideration and it required courage. But I know that it also reflects an independence that has been a hallmark of Arlen Specter's career since the days he arrived in Washington. He has never been in the Senate to fight for any particular party, but rather for the men and women of Pennsylvania who sent him here," Obama said.