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April 29, 2009
Beat 360° 4/29/09
Posted: 05:41 PM ET
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Ready for today's Beat 360°? Everyday we post a picture – and you provide the caption and our staff will join in too. Tune in tonight at 10pm to see if you are our favorite! Here is the 'Beat 360°' pic:

US Senator Arlen Specter speaks to Vice President Joe Biden as US President Barack Obama looks on April 29, 2009 in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

Have fun with it. We're looking forward to your captions! Make sure to include your name, city, state (or country) so we can post your comment.

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114 Comments
More about: Beat 360° •  T1
114 Comments
Julie B, Dallas, TX   April 29th, 2009 7:10 pm ET

Welcome to the club, Arlen. We pants the newbies.

Andrea J Antigua   April 29th, 2009 7:11 pm ET

Obama thinking -"Joe, you better be careful with those Republicans they have been known to flip flop."

patrick duffie   April 29th, 2009 7:11 pm ET

Hey......I'm just say'n ....you tell them your a democrat now .....and I might be able to make that Paris Hilton video disappear.....

Patrick, Guam

Rock Allen, Sudbury, Ontario, Can.   April 29th, 2009 7:12 pm ET

I am Specter.... and today my friend you are spectator!

James Greathouse   April 29th, 2009 7:12 pm ET

I may be new to the party but I know politics like the back of my hand.

Florence---Georgia   April 29th, 2009 7:12 pm ET

My biggest accomplishment in the first 100 days has been teaching Joe to use his hands and not his mouth to communicate.

Rita Massey   April 29th, 2009 7:13 pm ET

Joe -"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Senator – " Yes"
Obama " See I told you I could talk anyone into anything !"

Darrell Williams,Fairless Hills,PA   April 29th, 2009 7:14 pm ET

I switch,you switch,we all switch,in the name of re-election..

Orla Stuart, Santa Cruz, CA   April 29th, 2009 7:15 pm ET

Are we ready for doubles at the U.S. open Tennis?

Darrell Williams,Fairless Hills,PA   April 29th, 2009 7:16 pm ET

Dude,in the wake of an pandemic,who left this on the microphone?????

jerry Barash   April 29th, 2009 7:16 pm ET

where did you find this guy.

Sheila Stuart, CA   April 29th, 2009 7:16 pm ET

Rock! Sissors! Paper!

Elaine, San Diego, CA   April 29th, 2009 7:17 pm ET

President Obama: "Now I have two of them to worry about..."

ronald Barnes   April 29th, 2009 7:17 pm ET

biden: hate to say I told ya so but I .......
Specter: dude shut up the press is here
Oroville,CA

Katie, Ft. Lauderdale, FL   April 29th, 2009 7:18 pm ET

Welcome to the party, now let the hazing begin!

kriss - washington, dc   April 29th, 2009 7:19 pm ET

Senator Spector shows VP Biden how many new hairs he’s added to President Obama’s "First 100 Grays."

Roger Singh   April 29th, 2009 7:19 pm ET

Biden tells Specter, " I'm not your boss, it's the guy behind you."

Brea Ca. 92821

eddy, toronto, canada   April 29th, 2009 7:20 pm ET

"Joe, please tell the teleprompter to remove the line about 'rats leaving a sinking ship'"

James Tyner   April 29th, 2009 7:20 pm ET

Look, I'm not as much into the initiation hazing as much as Barack is...but you should still watch your back...

James
Mt. Pleasant, MI

Anne from Toronto   April 29th, 2009 7:20 pm ET

President Obama, beaming broadly, appears not to overhear Joe Biden mistakenly call his new colleague Phil Spector.

Darrell Williams,Fairless Hills,PA   April 29th, 2009 7:20 pm ET

So help me,I'll backhand you,if you do that rabbit-ear behind the head thing during this photo op.......

Robin Snell   April 29th, 2009 7:27 pm ET

No! I am NOT out on parole....That's Phil Spector.

Robin
San Antonio TX

shelley stetler   April 29th, 2009 7:27 pm ET

As a proud Obama looks on, Joe Biden congratulates Arlen Specter of a well played game of rock, paper, scissors.

Sue, Lathrup Village, MI   April 29th, 2009 7:27 pm ET

The Cheshire Obama.

Nina Martensson - San Diego, CA   April 29th, 2009 7:29 pm ET

Specter: "I'm still not convinced..."
Biden: "Common. You're one of us now... "
(Obama thinking: "It's just a matter of time")

Eddie - Hayward, CA   April 29th, 2009 7:37 pm ET

With President Obama watching over the discussion, Senator Spector confirms to Vice President Biden that he will now be voting with his Left hand.

GEORGE MURIITHI   April 29th, 2009 7:40 pm ET

V.P BIDEN TO SEN. SPECTOR: I TOLD YOU, YOU WOULD FLIP ONE DAY. NOW HOW ABOUT THAT DRINK YOU OWE ME!

Randy Stendebach Olathe Ks   April 29th, 2009 7:41 pm ET

"I need to just keep smiling and this will be over very soon"

brian - chicago   April 29th, 2009 8:04 pm ET

Looking on in joyous approval, President Obama, now with 60 Democratic Senate seats, is confident he can move forward with Health Care Reform, Education Reform, Green Energy Initiatives, and continue the Anderson Cooper Hair Care Fund!

Janis - Oklahoma   April 29th, 2009 8:04 pm ET

welcome senator spector the ghost of democrats past! (since spector was a democrat before)

Justin Nurin   April 29th, 2009 8:05 pm ET

Do you mind Joe? Let me put my foot in my mouth this time!

Shorty New York, NY   April 29th, 2009 8:08 pm ET

"Don'tcallhimPhil don'tcallhimphil don'tcallhimphil....."

Christina Lewis from Ohio   April 29th, 2009 8:10 pm ET

Specter says to Biden...ok so Wednesday is blue tie day...tomorrow is red...you will have to remind me so i match all the other democrats ties....

Dano, GA   April 29th, 2009 8:11 pm ET

SPECTER HAUNTS REPUBLICAN PARTY IN PRE-CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION!

Mark Colorado Springs   April 29th, 2009 8:11 pm ET

Give me one more minute...I was just about to say how I would make a better vice president in 12.

May C, BC, Canada   April 29th, 2009 8:11 pm ET

Joe Biden shows Arlen Spector how to do the hand slap, a version of the fist bump especially for Senators

Dan - Lake Ronkonkoma, NY   April 29th, 2009 8:12 pm ET

The President smiles after realizing he's no longer the only Democrat who would like to back-hand Joe Biden.

Kathleen   April 29th, 2009 8:13 pm ET

No, Joe, the President isn't wearing a smiley mask - he really DOES like me.

Lee Merrin   April 29th, 2009 8:17 pm ET

"Now when you get a chance invite Lieberman to the party ."

Joe Biden and Obama party with Arlen!

Lee Merrin
Las Vegas, Nevada

Rob   April 29th, 2009 8:22 pm ET

What do you mean April Fools is only on the 1st?????

Jean (Clarksburg, Maryland)   April 29th, 2009 8:23 pm ET

- After 43 years with the GOP, I think you now understand every single detail on them that will help us protect our counter-strategy.
- You can try them too, you won't understand a thing....that why I decided to come back!

Andre Lauderhill,FL   April 29th, 2009 8:24 pm ET

"Joe this is very important to me, just please stop giggling"

Suzi   April 29th, 2009 8:25 pm ET

Arlen: Joe seriously if you try to say anything nice I know it will come out wrong so I will give you the back of my hand if you do.

Joe: Oh Arlen, you are going to be tested by both paries now.

President Obama: These guys are a riot, but hey they only make me look good by comparison, so all is good.

Angel McBride   April 29th, 2009 8:26 pm ET

Sweet dude! Glad to see ya come to the other side!

Kyle, Huntingdon Valley, PA   April 29th, 2009 8:29 pm ET

Biden: "Hey Arlen, Welcome to the party! Long time no see!"

Dan Iowa City, IA   April 29th, 2009 8:29 pm ET

What do I say Joe? I’m used to just saying “no” to everything.

Lori - PA   April 29th, 2009 8:30 pm ET

I just couldn't get along with the Republicans.

Jean (Clarksburg, Maryland)   April 29th, 2009 8:31 pm ET

- President Obama(thinking...): I hope the Vice-President remembers that we have to first listen the Senator.

Jeff in Cincinnati, OH   April 29th, 2009 8:34 pm ET

Now that we Democrats have a majority in the Senate, you will see a 'Tsunami of Change' cut through the Congress like a karate chop. Hi-YAH!

Jean (Clarksburg, Maryland)   April 29th, 2009 8:35 pm ET

- President Obama(thinking…): I hope the Vice-President sticks to the rule that we must first listen to the Senator.

Paul - East Bay, CA   April 29th, 2009 8:39 pm ET

Arlen Spector: "Just what I expected from you Joe another backhanded compliment !"

Dan, Mississauga   April 29th, 2009 8:39 pm ET

Why did I switch you ask?……..Because Rush Limbaugh kept stealing my dessert.

sylvia spencer   April 29th, 2009 8:39 pm ET

Joining the blue team Arlen, way to go! Do you know any other team members that want to hang up their red jerseys?

Lisa, Richmond, VA   April 29th, 2009 8:43 pm ET

Hey Joe, wanna thumb wrestle? Sure Arlen. First let me check with the boss for some pointers. He has a gold metal in this sport.

Edward Miller   April 29th, 2009 8:44 pm ET

Arlen: "I thought Pitt was going to win the NCAA title."
Joe: "Mr. President knows his basketball."

Margaret Graves   April 29th, 2009 8:45 pm ET

"Joe, I'd like to break the ice by doing the Hokey Pokey first. Do you remember what comes after 'You put your left hand in, you put your right hand out, you put your left hand in and you flip flop all about?'"

Paul - East Bay, CA   April 29th, 2009 8:45 pm ET

President Obama and VP Biden smile sheepishly when Mr. Spector announces he changed parties because he felt there was no backhanded politics going on with the Democrats !

laura owen asheville   April 29th, 2009 8:45 pm ET

after becoming the newest Democrat Joe Biden and Arlen specter unveil the secret handshake.

cheri, wisconsin   April 29th, 2009 8:49 pm ET

Yes, my name is Joe, but I am NOT a plumber. Don't go there.

Paul - East Bay, CA   April 29th, 2009 8:49 pm ET

Specter gives VP Biden a backhand smack after his comment about hard to teach an old dog new tricks !

mike   April 29th, 2009 8:49 pm ET

Larry, Curly, and Moe trying to figure out how they will come up with $3.4T!

Sommer Ahmad: Milwaukee, WI   April 29th, 2009 8:51 pm ET

Obama thinking: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Jon Darby/Montgomery Alabama   April 29th, 2009 8:51 pm ET

"We made him an offer he couldn't refuse."

Sommer Ahmad: Milwaukee, WI   April 29th, 2009 8:52 pm ET

Obama thinking: Good work Biden, you're luring him in! Mwahaha!

Jon Darby/Montgomery Alabama   April 29th, 2009 8:53 pm ET

"I am not a Republican, I am a Democrat" said both the President and Senator Specter, for Obi Wan Obama's Jedi mindtricks were making allies faster than policy and inclusiveness ever kid.

Bob, Mesa Arizona   April 29th, 2009 8:55 pm ET

Look Joe. Just because I am now a Democrat I am not changing my name from Arlen to Arnie.

Katie Tanaka - Danville, CA   April 29th, 2009 8:57 pm ET

Spector: I know they say politics is like a dance where everything has to move smoothly, but I just really don't want to dance with you...

Deirdre, NYC   April 29th, 2009 8:59 pm ET

For the last time Joe, no matter how many times you say “New guy walks Bo”–I’m not doing it.

Jim from Sheffileld Lake Ohio   April 29th, 2009 9:01 pm ET

.... then after you reach the Capital Building Mr. Specter, you turn right - err I mean LEFT – you turn left.... see its easy.....

Mark Toronto Canada   April 29th, 2009 9:01 pm ET

Joe, I know you did, you don't have to tell me that you told me so.

Alison, Hickory, NC   April 29th, 2009 9:01 pm ET

Obama- "Aw, look at them trying to play nice."

Rahul   April 29th, 2009 9:02 pm ET

"Looking great – new suit, new tie, new party. Ok, so a Palin-isque question – how much did you spend on your suit Senator ?"
"All of 5 grand Joe, created by the presidents designer himself."

Robin Snell   April 29th, 2009 9:03 pm ET

Seriously! Joe, I'm telling you...SOMEONE ate the canary !!!!

Robin
San Antonio TX

d. griffith   April 29th, 2009 9:08 pm ET

Senator Arlen Specter: " I have come to the rescue with many inspector gadgets to help get this country back on track."

Brian Riback - Waldwick, NJ   April 29th, 2009 9:11 pm ET

"Hey Arlen...did Obama tell you about the Hazing? Let's just put it this way, Hillary Clinton, an Amtrak Train, and $20."

David-Frisco, Texas   April 29th, 2009 9:12 pm ET

How about that Joe? Waterboarding does get good results after all.

Jen, Hawaii   April 29th, 2009 9:12 pm ET

Seriously, Arlen, is this a change we can believe in?

Pamina in New Rochelle   April 29th, 2009 9:13 pm ET

So, now that I'm a Democrat, should I only vote using my Left hand?

Pamina in New Rochelle   April 29th, 2009 9:15 pm ET

I can count on one hand the number of times I agreed with my party- you all sure you want to take those odds?

Judy   April 29th, 2009 9:17 pm ET

Mr President, I think Arlen has our secret hand shake down pat, should we include him our sleep overs?

Aaron Pilon in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan   April 29th, 2009 9:17 pm ET

Please, just let me talk a little bit into that microphone. I've got just a few things to say.

Joe Biden's thoughts, "The man to do the talking is right over there."

Andre from Southington, CT   April 29th, 2009 9:21 pm ET

Joe can you stop talking already! I am trying to tell the American people how to play the new game Flip Flop that I purchased at the party shop.

Law Guan Hock   April 29th, 2009 9:21 pm ET

"May I convey your thoughts?"

"Is His, you may ask Him"

Paul - East Bay, CA   April 29th, 2009 9:22 pm ET

We like the blue neckties and the red ones you drop off at Goodwill you can claim on your taxes !

George from Toronto   April 29th, 2009 9:22 pm ET

I'm starting a new party – the Opportunist Party.

Law Guan Hock, Malaysia   April 29th, 2009 9:24 pm ET

“May I convey your thoughts?”

“Is His, you may ask Him

Dorian Summerlin   April 29th, 2009 9:26 pm ET

President Obama doing some calculating "Let me see, this makes 53 votes, hmn... Thirteen more coat tailers to find" .

Louise Szczepanik   April 29th, 2009 9:26 pm ET

Obama looks on happily as Biden and Specter start singing... " May old aquaintence be forgot ....."

Louise Szczepanik
Enderby BC
Canada

Paul - East Bay, CA   April 29th, 2009 9:27 pm ET

Specter not so sure about Biden's backhanded compliment . . . . "I guess you decided that if you couldn't beat them to join them"

Sue Little   April 29th, 2009 9:27 pm ET

Hey Joe. I am not just changing parties, I am also agreeing to run the fundraising for the troubled auto makers. Anyone want to buy a candy bar?

Debasree Plano, Texas   April 29th, 2009 9:28 pm ET

I trust you Joe, to do what I don't have time to right now. And that is frown at someone else.

Neil the Real Deal in Illinois   April 29th, 2009 9:30 pm ET

Alright, Joe, I joined your party, got up in front of the whole United States and announced that I was joining your party, and tomorrow I'm going to call Limbaugh a doo doo head on NPR. Can I PLEASE have my milk money back now?

Dorian Summerlin   April 29th, 2009 9:34 pm ET

Biden to Arlen, "Arlen, WELCOME!, I can't believe your rely doing it pal".

Arlen's reply, " Joe, I'm not kidding! Besides, it a common practice for party members to jump after the election. Plus, I need the help for votes this will bring me at home. But, you'll have my vote."

The President just smugly smiles while thinking "yeah".

samantha-San Antonio Tx.   April 29th, 2009 9:51 pm ET

Are you sure your not undercover for Republicans!
No way man now would you let me talk.

Lisa, Basking Ridge New Jersey   April 29th, 2009 9:52 pm ET

1,2,3,4 I declare a "thumb war".

Nelson Cabassa   April 29th, 2009 10:01 pm ET

"Sooo Im an Obamacrat?"

tanya seslar   April 29th, 2009 10:03 pm ET

"Now Arlen, if you roll with us, nobody will get hurt..."

Tanya
Colorado

Steve Rosemergy   April 29th, 2009 10:31 pm ET

Joe, only 5% of the Republicans are Incorrigible"

Craig Zammit Orono Ontario   April 29th, 2009 10:32 pm ET

President O'Bama thinking to himself, wait till these guys see what I post on The Beat 360 web site, grown men measuring the size of there hands.

FranS.   April 29th, 2009 10:32 pm ET

I'm going to switch right now Joe... just don't start talking again!

Calvin, Honolulu   April 30th, 2009 5:52 pm ET

"Biden I only have the flu, calm down." After hearing Joe Biden's comments about H1N1.

Calvin, Honolulu   April 30th, 2009 5:53 pm ET

"Biden, I'll be careful not to catch H1N1, does that make you feel better?"

Connie White   April 30th, 2009 5:57 pm ET

Hey I washed my hands too. Dont want to get that swine flu thats going around.

Laura Fernandez   April 30th, 2009 6:12 pm ET

"Mr Biden, please make sure you've washed your hands before we shake hands"

Laura F.
colorado

jack, wisconsin   April 30th, 2009 6:23 pm ET

"Well, Senator, today's the day you get that cherished honor, one of the most coveted recognitions of service to the American People, the key to the Democratic Washroom'

jack, wisconsin   April 30th, 2009 6:26 pm ET

"Can I get a congressman with that?"

Jasmine-Spokane, WA   April 30th, 2009 6:34 pm ET

okay, so here's the deal. You aren't an official member yet. My buddy Barack will oversee your entrance trial. What you have to do is go down the hall way, get pantsed, then pick up the statue of liberty statuette with your knees and walk down in the middle of the press conference. Go up to Ed Henry, and yell, "olly olly oxenfree!" Got it?

jack, wisconsin   April 30th, 2009 6:35 pm ET

Soon to be relased, THE BOYS IN THE BATH. wardrobe by Ross the Intern, Lryics by Larry Craig

Sita - Rockville, MD   April 30th, 2009 6:47 pm ET

Hey, I washed my hands clean too! Mr. President definitely recommends this safety measure, honest.

Talal, From Wanaque, Nj   April 30th, 2009 6:48 pm ET

Yes Arlen, The President believes your motive for switching...And trust me he is not laughing at you... He is laughing with you.

Michael Willenzik. Austin Texas   April 30th, 2009 6:54 pm ET

Listen Joe, I know your staying off public transit now, but I just can't take any chances with this swine flu thing.

Karen   April 30th, 2009 7:31 pm ET

This way, Arlen....."Cece oh playmate"

jack, wisconsin   April 30th, 2009 8:32 pm ET

'As vice president, Arlen, let me give you some critcal advice. If you want to keep big smile on our president's face, don't talk too much like I DO.'

Prabhu Subramaniam   May 1st, 2009 1:56 pm ET

hey Joe, did you check for swine flu before coming to dais... watch out Arlen, you are not in mute...

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