One year ago today, Sen. Arlen Specter shocked the political world by announcing he would abandon a tough GOP primary battle and join the Democratic caucus. In an interview with the Allentown Morning Call, Specter sounds unsure of whether he made the right decision, however, given how the Senate remains deeply divided.

''Well, I probably shouldn't say this,'' he said over lunch last month. ''But I have thought from time to time that I might have helped the country more if I'd stayed a Republican.''

Specter mused that perhaps if he'd remained in the caucus he could have persuaded one or two of his GOP colleagues to support health care reform. Not one Senate Republican voted in favor of it, but he swears he would have regardless of party affiliation.

''Coalition building has gone out of style in this wing of the building,'' he said. Breaking from party ranks to vote with the other side is a ''very unpleasant experience.''

As noted at Politics Nation earlier this week, Specter still faces a primary fight. And back to his defense is actor Michael J. Fox, appearing in a new ad for the senator praising him for his advocacy of biomedical research.

Meanwhile, expect to hear the campaign of Marco Rubio in Florida using the anniversary to rally supporters as Gov. Charlie Crist appears ready to abandon the GOP.

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