NYT/AP: Sen. Byrd to Run for Record Ninth Term

[DeepModem Mom]

Sen. Byrd to Run for Record Ninth Term
Filed at 1:13 p.m. ET


CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Eighty-seven-year-old Democrat Robert C. Byrd announced Tuesday he will seek a record ninth term in the Senate....

***

Byrd has 47 years in the Senate and will become the longest-serving member in its history in June. He previously served six years in the U.S. House, and before that terms in both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature.

''I've given most of my life to serving the people of West Virginia, and it began here 59 years ago,'' Byrd said to chants of ''six more years, six more years.''

The Republican Party has made unseating Byrd a top priority. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has already aired television ads questioning whether he remains in step with West Virginia voters.

Yet, polling by Survey USA suggests an upswing in Byrd's stature with West Virginians, particularly when compared to President Bush. Byrd's approval rating increased from 56 percent in May to 65 percent on Aug. 15 -- before the 130th Air National Guard Airlift Wing in Charleston was spared the loss of its eight cargo planes with help from Byrd in the fight over military base realignments nationwide....


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Byrd-Senate.html?ex=1128484800&en=a607f94847de8700&ei=5070&emc=eta1

[thereismore]

1. Yes! nt

[WildClarySage]

2. The GOP tried really hard to "McGraw" Byrd, and they may not have

abandoned this strategy, but here in WV, we LOVE Byrd and they can dress Smelly Moore Capitulator all they want but she ain't no Byrd and the voters know it. Six more years indeed!

[Catrina]

3. His approval ratings at 65%!

He was a voice of reason from the beginning on the war in Iraq. Too bad there weren't enough others to stop the carnage, that he warned about in his, now historic speeches.

Six More Years!! We need wisdom and adults in the Senate. I don't think he'll have any problem overcoming the expected personal attacks from the right. They certainly won't want to take him on on the isssues.

[rodeodance]

4. grand

[losdiablosgato]

6. I find somethting distasteful about having a former KKK leader

as a senator from this party. He fought against the Civil rights Act of 1964 and reportedly in a interview a few years ago called African Americans the N word. If this were a rethug we would be all over this. We can do better.

[WildClarySage]

8. I find it distasteful too, but I'm glad to know Byrd isn't proud of his

racist past and has learned from it. I know too many who haven't. And I would hate to be unable to overcome the judgement of those who brand me a racist based on opinions I held over 30 years ago. I think his actions in the years since have, in the hearts and minds of most of his constituents, acquitted him. Besides, the alternative, Shelly Moore Capito, is far, far worse.

[losdiablosgato]

9. I live in the south and trust me when I say people like this rarely change

[Jessica]

10. I understand ... but this West Virginian believes Senator Byrd is rare.

"Q: What has been your biggest mistake and your biggest success?

A: Well, it's easy to state what has been my biggest mistake. The greatest mistake I ever made was joining the Ku Klux Klan. And I've said that many times. But one cannot erase what he has done. He can only change his ways and his thoughts. That was an albatross around my neck that I will always wear. You will read it in my obituary that I was a member of the Ku Klux Klan."

http://slate.msn.com/id/2075662/

[WildClarySage]

11. As a transplanted west virginian originally from SC, I can assure you

that while that's true, it does happen.

[Tiggeroshii]

17. He took responsibility for the words and doesn't show pride for it.

Unlike SOME US Senators*cough*Cough(Conrad Burns!)*Cough*

[olddad56]

12. 1964, gee that was almost yesterday....

I know I don't like who I was 40 years ago. Lighten up.

[OneNation]

16. I agree

What Byrd did in 1964 was wrong but he has changed and has done a lot of good since then. Byrd is one Senator who will stand up to the Bush administration and that makes him too valuable to lose.

[Catrina]

13. Since that was 60 years ago

and for a brief time, I am more impressed at the fact that while he may have grown up in an atmosphere that promoted racism, and initially was influenced by it (aren't we all influenced by our childhood environments?) it's obvious this is someone who, probably against many odds, was intelligent enough, and decent enought to overcome those influences and realize that this was wrong.

That takes a very big person, imo. Too bad the individual in the WH doesn't have the ability to admit he was ever wrong about anything.

Sen. Byrd has long ago redeemed himself, having fought so hard to stop the killing of Muslims in Iraq (something he mentioned in his speeches before the war, and never, ever refers to those deaths as 'collatoral damage'.

To me, the criminals running this country, and that includes anyone who promotes the continuation of this war, are far more suspect when it comes to racism.


Killing brown people was not okay with Byrd, but was possitively patriotic to all but one Republican in the Senate and their followers.

Tell me when you hear him calling Iraqis 'ragheads' or 'camel jockeys and I'll be interested. His respect for those people has won their respect, and that's good enough for me.

Interesting that all three of your 'problems' with Byrd are the current rightwing talking points!! Actually they are the only talking points they seem to be able to come up with regarding this great man, flawed, yes, but willing to correct any mistakes he has made.

[WildClarySage]

7. But, the GOP doesn't try debating the issues. That's the problem

but most people in WV won't buy the crap. Byrd's done too much for us to get suckered that way.

[Deb]

5. Bless his heart and good on West Virginians!

I haven't always agreed with Sen Byrd over the years but the Senate just wouldn't be the same without him. His fight against the Patriot Act and Iraq war vote were all that kept me from going Green.

[lumpy]

15. His vote is valuable

and he knows it. More power to the man.

[stlsaxman]

14. Way to go, sir!

Strength and long(er) life to eighty-seven-year-old Democrat Senator Robert C. Byrd!

:yourock:

[Triana]

18. Support Senator Byrd!

https://www1165.ssldomain.com/byrd2006/donate/secureNew.cfm

[Gyre]

19. Way to hang in there Bob!

You got what it takes!:toast:

Gyre

[Arkana]

20. Insert Peter Griffin laugh at the Bushturds here.

Byrd will win no problem.

[Genki]

21. You're right

We love him here~