*THE BLOGOSPHERE REACTS: Arlen Specter (R-PA D-PA), facing a strong 2010 primary push from Republican congressman Pat Toomey, switches parties, giving the Dems a quasi-60-seat presence in the Senate. This has the ‘sphere all riled up. For some spirited commentary, visit Robert Stacey McCain‘s  blog (“Specter reminds me of the high-school slut trying to sleep her way to popularity”) or Gateway Pundit, where RNC Chair Michael Steele is quoted as saying “Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don’t do it first.” President Obama, meanwhile, pledges his “full support” to Specter.  Which could include campaigning for him in a Democratic primary.

*Obama’s “no-news press conference doesn’t impress” the Washington Times. Snap!

*Best quote from last night’s Daily Show was Jon Stewart on the American conscience (and I paraphrase):

Don’t get me wrong; I wanted to clone Bin Laden so we could kill him once a year at the Super Bowl halftime show….  But I want my country to be better than me.

*HOMICIDE IN 4300 BLOCK OF WHEELER RD. SE: Decedent identified as Richard B. Robinson.  D.C. Police:

At approximately 12:08 am, on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, members assigned to the Department’s Seventh District responded to the 4300 block of Wheeler Road, SE for the report of the sounds of gunshots.  Upon arrival on the scene, officers located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  He was subsequently transported by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

*The Post reports that D.C. rescue teams are still trawling the Potomac south of the Chain Bridge for 37-year-old Hau T. Nguyen, who dove into the river on Sunday to save 11-year-old Jorge Castro.

*The Prince of Petworth has some random shoe sightings.

Photograph above courtesy of M.V. Jantzen