Specter To Speak At Gay Pride Parade & Festival

U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter is expected to address the crowd at Philadelphia's Gay Pride Parade & Festival right about now.  Mark Segal, publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News, invited Specter to the event as Pennsylvania's senior senator seeks a sixth term.  Specter quit the Republican Party in April, returning to his roots as a Philadelphia Democrat.  Expect to see a lot of him in front of liberal challenges, as he prepares to fend off a primary election challenge from U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak.

"Now he can finally come out for us full force," Segal told PhillyClout, saying that Specter had sided with the gay community on political issues as a Republican but is expected to be more public in his support as a Democrat.  Segal described Specter's appearance today as a "big surprise" for the crowd.

"It's a good thing," Segal said. "He's been there for us."