Originally Posted by CIR_DREAM2009

Getting more Republican support in the Senate will be like pulling teeth, but Sen. Specter is one that I really want to switch from No to Yes. He supports the Dream Act but is afraid to vote for it because his conservative primary opponent, Pat Toomey, will use the vote against him. If Specter switched to Independent or Democrat, it'll be a lot easier to get his vote for Dream.

When Al Franken of MN is seated, we only need 3 votes to reach 60 provided that none of the Likely Yes people don't get wobbly. We can reach 60 any number of ways, but stray Democrats do need to get on board. The Obama White House can help on that part by both enforcing discipline and to do charm offensives. (also, I think you meant Alaska instead of Alabama because there are no Democratic Senators from Alabama - it's Republicans Sessions and Shelby from Alabama)

Still, Republican obstructionism should not be excused. If the Republicans would stop filibustering the Dream Act, we would only need 50 votes to pass Dream instead of 60.