Specter says he won't switch parties

A March 17 posting at www.TheHill.com , "[Senator Arlen] Specter won't rule out run as an independent" goes on to say "Sen. Arlen Specter said Tuesday that he will not run for reelection in 2010 as a Democrat, but might run as an Independent....

"'I’m staying a Republican because I think I have a more important role to play there,' he said. 'I think the United States very desperately needs a two-party system. … And I’m afraid that we’re becoming a one-party system, with Republicans becoming just a regional party.'”