Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) Dead at 92

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Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) Dead at 92

Written By : Ed Driscoll

Dana Bash, CNN’s senior congressional correspondent tweets, “sad news this early morning. Senator Robert C Byrd, titan of the US Senate, has died at age 92.”

MSNBC is also reporting Byrd’s death:

Byrd, 92, was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1952 and served six years there before moving to the U.S. Senate.

In November, Byrd broke the record for congressional service that had been set by Democrat Carl Hayden of Arizona, who served in the House and Senate from 1912 to 1969.

Byrd has been in frail health in recent years and was hospitalized three times in 2009. He has been confined to a wheelchair, but was present and voted “yes” for final Senate passage of the health care reform bill in March.

Byrd has been the longest-serving senator since June 2006 and was elected to an unprecedented ninth term in November 2006. His colleagues have elected him to more leadership positions than any senator in history. He has cast more than 18,000 votes and has a nearly 98 percent attendance record over the course of his career.

A former member of the Ku Klux Klan, Byrd later became a champion of civil rights. He has also been a staunch supporter of his home state’s coal industry and more recently has spoken out about environmental and safety issues.

As you can tell by the fawning tone of the correspondents from both CNN and MSNBC, get ready for the mother of all narrative struggles. As that astonishing last paragraph in the MSNBC piece quoted above particularly highlights, the left will be eager to whitewash Byrd’s horrific legacy, which Michelle Malkin noted in a 2001 article for Capitalism magazine, whose every paragraph referenced Byrd’s ex-KKK past in the first sentence:

The ex-Klansman’s admirers praise his historical knowledge, mastery of procedural rules, and outspokenness. They refer to the Senate’s senior Democrat as the “conscience of the Senate.” They downplay his white-sheet-wearing days as a “brief mistake” — as if joining the Klan were like knocking over a glass of water. Oopsy.

This ex-Klansman wasn’t just a passive member of the nation’s most notorious hate group. According to news accounts and biographical information, Sen. Byrd was a “Kleagle” — an official recruiter who signed up members for $10 a head. He said he joined because it “offered excitement” and because the Klan was an “effective force” in “promoting traditional American values.” Nothing like the thrill of gathering ’round a midnight bonfire, roasting s’mores, tying nooses, and promoting white supremacy with a bunch of your hooded friends.

The ex-Klansman allegedly ended his ties with the group in 1943. He may have stopped paying dues, but he continued to pay homage to the KKK. Republicans in West Virginia discovered a letter Sen. Byrd had written to the Imperial Wizard of the KKK three years after he says he abandoned the group. He wrote: “The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth here in West Virginia” and “in every state in the Union.”

The ex-Klansman later filibustered the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act — supported by a majority of those “mean-spirited” Republicans — for more than 14 hours. He also opposed the nominations of the Supreme Court’s two black justices, liberal Thurgood Marshall and conservative Clarence Thomas. In fact, the ex-Klansman had the gall to accuse Justice Thomas of “injecting racism” into the Senate hearings. Meanwhile, author Graham Smith recently discovered another letter Sen. Byrd wrote after he quit the KKK, this time attacking desegregation of the armed forces.

The ex-Klansman vowed never to fight “with a Negro by my side. Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.”

If this ex-Klansman were a conservative Republican, he would never hear the end of his sordid past. “Ex-Klansman who opposed civil rights and black justices” would appear in every reference to Sen. Byrd. And even the “ex-” would be in doubt. Maxine Waters and Ralph Neas and Julianne Malveaux and Al Sharpton and all the other left-wing bloodhounds who sniff racism in every crevice of American life would be barking up a storm over Sen. Byrd’s latest fulminations. Instead, the attack dogs are busy decrying latent racial bigotry where it doesn’t exist, while the real thing roams wild and free in their own political backyard.

President Obama’s potential words of praise to a racial demagogue far worse than even Rev. Wright himself should be especially interesting to watch.

What happens next in terms of Byrd’s former senate seat? On Sunday, when news initially broke that Byrd was seriously ill, Doug Powers, guest-blogging at Michelle’s Website explored “A Brief Discussion About W. Virginia Senate Seat Rules.”

(Originally posted at Ed Driscoll.com)

http://twitter.com/tahDeetz Deetz

Don't forget the Fox news interview where he actually used the term “white niggers,” twice.

He apologized on the surface, yet his senility let his true feelings slip out.
Mr. EMT

Wow, I didn't think he would die.
What will his followers do now that their leader has passed away and left their racist oppressive group with out a face to bring them into the public eye in a respectable light?
Oh well, perhaps they can find someone to fill his seat before GOP scores another one.
W_R_Ranch

He was part of the problem…. no loss to working Americans at all.
billdalasio

I'll refrain from damning Sen. Byrd. He's dead now and I'm sorry he no longer has any hope of seeing the error of his ways. My condolences to his family.
Rose

An Era is closing.The deaths of Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd do mark the end of an era. The Dims will try to re-launch an even worse one, but it is ending.

Now those two are just beginning to see what they spent their entire life laboring towards.

God Bless America and protect her from all harm.
http://rhymeswithright.mu.nu RhymesWithRight

I wonder — when Fred Phelps dies, will Dana Bash or any other “mainstream journalist” refer to it as “sad news” on Twitter? And if one does, how long would they continue to be employed as a journalist?
StanW

My thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Byrd's Familiy in their time of sorrow.
http://conservativebootcamp.com Martin Hale

Any judging of Mr. Byrd is in the Lord's hands now. My God have mercy on his soul.

My condolences to his family and friends.
TheDickNixon

Klansmen and liberals will fly their white sheets at half staff today to honor this bigot.
baoxian

There's some good to be said about Byrd. He was a working class man before politics and obviously tried his best to get what he could for his state and its people. I'll stop well short of declaring him a hero or some sort of great man though. If anything he's a good example of showing that politicians are individuals no less flawed than any of us, and largely undeserving of the power and wealth they have access to.
http://www.cavalierx.com CavalierX

I can't think of anything good to say about a dead Klansman, except that he's now a good Klansman.
sabiticus

My, what a frickin' tragedy…
D-Vega

While Senator Byrd had horrible past, now is the time to take the high road and not speak ill of the dead. Speaking politically, he went way past his time as a politician.

May he rest in peace. His sins are now between him and his maker.

StanW

And as has become your standard line Vega, you admonish people the “take the high road” when tragedy befalls one of your Liberal heros. Interesting that your lecture was not posted on the thread about Dick Cheney being in the hospital.

Yeah, we all know what you mean by High Road!

D-Vega

I take the same position always. There are very few people I would criticize right after they die. On this site, that has included President Reagan, President Ford, Strom Thurmond and Jerry Falwell. I have been consistent always.

Whereas the right has taken every opportunity to piss on someone's memory before their body is even cold. That would include Teddy Kennedy and Robert Byrd.

Cheney is not dead, and I wish him well and a full recovery.

StanW

Do not start that sanctimonous crap here, Vega. You can't even be consistent in the same sentence.

Here, it is YOU are constent and YOU never say anything bad. But it is THE RIGHT that are running down Byrd and Kennedy.

If you are going to hold everyone on the Right accountable for the words of a few, then we are completely consistent in doing the same to you.

And again, you criticize the Right for what you either condone or are silent about on the Left.

For those keeping score…
High Road posts by Vega on the Byrd thread = 2
High Road posts by Vega on the Cheney thread = ZERO!

D-Vega

I don't hold everyone on the right responsible for the words of a few. I simply making an observation of things heard on this site.

People here have run down both Kennedy and Byrd IMMEDIATELY after their deaths.
StanW

And people on the Left… LOTS OF PEOPLE, have wished death on Cheney and Limbaugh, and laughed with glee at Republican deaths.

Yet you, pompous jerk that you are, always have to remind the Right to take the high road, while claiming that you yourself Never EVER speak ill of Republicans.

Get your own house in order befor you lecture us, Vega.
D-Vega

Not lots of people. AT ALL, Stan.

But if you only act and react based on other people's action and reactions, then that is your character flaw.

I would rather take the high road, as it does me no benefit to snicker at someone's sins and horrible mistakes while they lie in wake.
StanW

Are you serious, Vega. It is YOU lecturing US on taking the high road in Byrd's death (which we were already doing, BTW, had you bothered to read the posts). Yet you ignore that bile and virtrol that goes along with even the mention that somone on the Right might be ill or dying.

You shoudl learn when to shut up.
D-Vega

Stan, the author of the post isn't even taking the high road.

It was the same with Ted Kennedy. “Taking the high road” is not “speaking ill of the dead”.
StanW

Taking the high road is also not wishing pain and suffering and death on your political enemies. But you have shown you have no problem with that, so long as the target is someone on the Right.

You are a partisan hypocrite, Vega. And everyone here knows it!
D-Vega

What suffering and death have I wished on any of my political enemies, Stan?

I don't even have any political enemies. I am quite a likable guy.
StanW

And here it is again, Vega, your pathetic self-righteousness and abject pomposity.

With Byrd, it is “The RIGHT”. We are all pissing on his grave, we are all speaking ill of the dead, Blah-Blah-Blah.

But when we mention the abject hatred being thrown at Cheney, all you can say is “*I* didn't do that!”

You are pathetic, Vega!
D-Vega

I am pointing out what the thread topic is about.

How can you say you are not pissing on his grave when the AUTHOR of the this post immediately cites Malkin, where she calls him a Klansman in the first sentence of every paragraph.

Now she wrote the article way before he died, but there is no reason to cite it like that now, especially when no one here is not aware of his history.

Stay classy, guys.
StanW

Sure Vega, with all the lies being told about Byrd, many here don't know his record.

So once again, we are to be held accountable for things that Michelle Malkin or Rush Limbaugh says. But you are not responsible for anything said by the Left. Intersting double standard you have.

And for your ignorant information, Byrd was a Klansman. Nothing wrong with being historically accurate, is there, Vega?
D-Vega

I didn't hold you responsible for anything Rish or Malkin said. Pay attention.

THE AUTHOR is citing this information, so it's perfectly appropriate to point out how inappropriate it is to piss on a man's grave before he is even in the ground.
StanW

And I appropriately noted how the Left is doing the same with Cheney and did the same with Reagan, to which you replied “Well, I never did that.”

It is inappropriate to piss on a man's grave, just like it is inappropriate to use the event of a man's death to lie about his political opponents and revise history about the man's past.
D-Vega

I remember Reagan's death and funeral, Stan. And the nation mourned together as one.

Cheney is only in the hospital. And I figure you would be correct if he died. Because they are a lot of people who despise him. With good reason, but there is no need to piss on anyone's grave to make a point.
StanW

And what would that good reason be, Vega. Please give us the reason what your Leftist brethern are wishing Cheney to suffer and die.
D-Vega

I didn't say people had a good reason to wish death on him. I said they have good reason to dislike him.
StanW

Then tell us why!
TheDickNixon

“fuck sarah palin and her kids”
D-Vega

Yes, I said it. And apologized. Is that all you've got, Nixon?

Thought so.

UFKA_Smithwick

So it's ok to piss on Reagans and Fords graves for the unforgivable sin of . . .

But don't you dare mention that Byrd was a grand imperial whatever in the Klan, or the Teddy-boy murdered a woman in cold blood and got away with it. Show some respect.

I generally give the recently dead a pass for two reasons: 1) it's too easy, they can't defend themselves. It's like punching an amish person. And 2) even SOBs had families who deserve the right to mourn in peace.

I apply that equally to everyone. I'm not going to pretend he was a swell guy just for shuffling off his mortal coil. But I'm not going to go protest his funeral either.

What exactly did Reagan and the rest do that was so horrific that it made them worse than a klan leader and murderer?

D-Vega

No one is saying it has to be either/or. You don't have to praise him or condemn him.

If you want to talk about respect, then have some respect for a dead person and their families.

Next week you can go back to business as usual. The guy just died, for Pete's sake.
UFKA_Smithwick

“If you want to talk about respect, then have some respect for a dead person and their families.

Next week you can go back to business as usual. The guy just died, for Pete's sake. “

-D-Vega time point 1

“There are very few people I would criticize right after they die. On this site, that has included President Reagan, President Ford, Strom Thurmond and Jerry Falwell.”

-D-Vega time point 0.

What a difference an hour makes.
D-Vega

Ah, I see. You have misunderstood.

I meant that there are very few people I would criticize after they died. And those are the people who have died while I have been on this site.

But I have not criticized ANY of them in that way since they died. But especially if they just died.

I apologize for the misunderstanding.
mightysamurai

Careful there, D-Vega. You're backtracking so fast you're liable to slip and break your neck.
D-Vega

Not back-tracking. Explaining. If I meant something, I would stick to it.

I never backtrack. Because I think before I speak.
UFKA_Smithwick

Fair enough, if you meant something else then you meant something else.

Doesn't change the fact that many leftists DID piss on those folks' grave. Metaphorically of course.

UFKA_Smithwick

He is entitled to the same respect and deference that Reagan got from the left at his funeral.

Naw just kidding. I will refrain from dancing on his grave for a little while and actually let his fans mourn in peace.

D-Vega

There was very little, if any at all, of people pissing on Reagan's grave.

The right was actually surprised by the class liberals showed, because you guys were itching to put yourself on a high horse.

While you piss on Kennedy's and Byrd's graves.

StanW

There was very little, if any at all, of people pissing on Reagan's grave.

And there for all to see is the D-Vega we all loathe, the king of all liars!

D-Vega

It's true, Stan. I know it doesn't fit you excuses for pissing on someone else's grave, but true nonetheless.
StanW

You know, I'll try to give you the benefit of the doubt here, Vega.

You claimed that there were no protest in New York after the Rodney King decision because you didn't see them.
You claimed there were not 10,000 people at the protest for the mosque at Ground Zero because you didn't see them.
And now you claim that there were little if any people dancing on Reagan's grave because you didn't see them.

So either you are lying or you are simply willfully ignorant. And truthfully, I reaslluy don't care which.
D-Vega

“You claimed that there were no protest in New York after the Rodney King decision because you didn't see them.”

I never said anything of the kind, Stan. Please don't lie.

“You claimed there were not 10,000 people at the protest for the mosque at Ground Zero because you didn't see them.”

No, I said there is no way they had 10,000 people there from the footage that THEY PROVIDED. 1,000 maybe. There's a noticable difference between 1,000 and 10,000.

“And now you claim that there were little if any people dancing on Reagan's grave because you didn't see them.”

No, because it didn't happen. Liberals respected Reagan, even though they disliked him A LOT. And they had a great amount of respect for his family and the office of the Presidency.

You don't like that, as it doesn't fit your prejudice, but it's true.

If Cheney were to die, I don't know if I could make that same statement, as with Cheney the dislike is realy recent and A LOT more people despise him.

“So either you are lying or you are simply willfully ignorant. And truthfully, I reaslly don't care which.”

Don't be mad because liberals are taking a higher than you, Stan. It happens all the time.
StanW

Yep, I was correct, you are willfully ignorant.
“Liberals respected Reagan”? I cannot believe you were able to type that without your keyboard bursting into flames.

So when do you plan to lecture the Left on taking “the High Road” on the Cheney thread, Vega?
D-Vega

Yup, it's true.

It is because though Reagan made some drastic changes fiscally, he led the country as a traditional Conservative Democrat, rather than a very Conservative Republican.

He probably would be chased from the party if he was a Republican and alive today as a Senator. He would be treated like McCain is by the base.
StanW

Save the revisionist history for the Byrd thread, Vega. The fact that Reagan was able to reach across the aisle and work with both side, thus creating the Reagan Democrats, does not mean he was a Democrat, or that we would chase him from the party.

Your historical knowledge is as accurate as your mind-reading.
D-Vega

“Reach across the aisle” like McCain has done, right?

Compromise, like Republicans are chastised for all the time here on RWN.

Reagan would have some one trick pony like Hayworth running against him if he were in the Senate. Teaists would be calling him a traitor like they do with Lindsay Graham.

That's not revisionist history, that's current events.
StanW

You know nothing of the Tea Party, Vega. And your historical knowledge of Reagan is nearly invisible.

You should stop talking and let your stupidity stand on its own.
D-Vega

It's obvious, Stan. Reagan was a man of principles, but also a pragmatist, not an idealogue.

If he were in the Senate today, he would be a target of the Teaists, just like any other moderate in the Senate who works with the other side.

The fact that you cannot refute it speaks volumes.
StanW

Refute it? The only proof you have given is “It's Obvious” and “Because I said so”. If I had simply said “Naa Ahhh!” I would have refuted your idiocy.

Reagan was a Conservative Republican, not a Democrat. The fact that you tried to compare him to McCain is all the refutation needed!
D-Vega

Reagan governed like a conservative traditional democrat, Stan.

He expanded the role of gov't, blew a huge hole in the budget, raise taxes several times, expanded abortion rights, signed an amnesty bill and appointed a liberal to the Supreme Court. That doesn't even included the huge amount of liberal legislation he signed and issues he opposed as CA governor.

That's why he was great. Today he would be scorned by the rightwing base, in favor of the Yahoo of the Month.
StanW

…and the bullshit continues!
D-Vega

Such bullshit that you cannot refute one iota.

Face it, Reagan was not the man you guys worship him to be. He was not an idealogue. He was a traditional Democrat. After all, he WAS a Democrat at one point.

He was great, true. Because he was a moderate.
StanW

A Traditional Democrat? Right Vega. Just like the people that opposed the 1964 Civil Rights act were Conservatives.

You've revised enough history for today. It's time for you to run away!
D-Vega

I still await you refuting anything I said.

Of course you cannot, because it's true.
StanW

All you've said is “Reagan was a Democrat because I said so”.

So “Bite Me”. Thetre, you're refuted!
mightysamurai

Reagan governed like a conservative traditional democrat, Stan.

How dare you accuse Ronald Reagan of supporting slavery and segregation!
D-Vega

You're right, the Conservative Democrats did support slavery and segregation.

Luckily, Liberal Democrats and Liberal Republicans were greater in number.
mightysamurai

Liberals respected Reagan

Wow. That is the biggest load of bullshit you have ever shoveled, D-Vega.
D-Vega

They didn't like him, but they did respect him.

It's why he was able to get so much passed with a Dem congress.

And because he was willing to compromise on a host of other issues.

But when he died, we all mourned together, because he was our President.

Why does it make you guys so upset that liberals took the high road and respected his life when he died? Oh, that's right. Because it's contradicts your caricature of what a liberal is.

UFKA_Smithwick

Bwhahahahahahahah!

Oh, you're serious? Let me laugh even harder!

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ELCWV5ANDUEJ5D5PB35FL2LZ6Y Bildo

Some people do not deserve decency, even upon death. Tyrants, murderers, and Grand Wizards have earned the scorn of civilized men. I will not excuse the evils of his life after his death.

To hell with him.

StanW

Bildo, Byrd was a Kleagle in the KKK. That is a recruiter. As far as anyone knows, he was never the Grand Wizard. He is only responsible for the people he recruited and the damage and death that they caused.

There is much to disagree with about Byrd, but we must stick with the truth.

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ELCWV5ANDUEJ5D5PB35FL2LZ6Y Bildo

I was using the term metaphorically, and was not intending to deceive in any way. Having said that, point taken.

He was an open bigot who, along with men like him, did a great deal of harm to this country, and we are still paying a dear price for institutional racism that men like him supported. His rank in the Klan is irrelevant. His membership isn't.
Fail_Baby_Fail

Klansmen and liberals will fly their white sheets at half staff today to honor this bigot. “by a Dick named Nixon”

He also backed Obama dont forget that. Yes he was in the clan. He also backed a Black president. That dosent get him off the hook for the clan no. But he tried to make in roads.

A truly awful person died today. I can think of nothing nice to say about him except that he is now no longer able to do any more harm. UFKA_Smithwick…..

Now if a liberal said the same thing about Cheney when he kicks the bucket, would you look at that as an attack?

Now stan he was in the clan and if you only hold him to what he did 60-70 years ago. He was a very bad person. Again he also backed a black president, what would of the clan done to him back then. Im guessing pretty bad stuff. Can I hold anyone that came from a slave owning family to the same standard.

StanW

First, it is Klan, not clan.

Second, Byrd also voted AGAINST both black candidates to the Supreme Court.

Third, Liberals are saying that about Cheney AND MORE and they are doing it now that he is just ill.

Fourth, were you ever held as a slave? Then NO, you can't say anything to people that never owned slaves!
mightysamurai

Now if a liberal said the same thing about Cheney when he kicks the bucket, would you look at that as an attack?

It says a lot about you that you don't see a difference between people who disagree with you politically and members of the Ku Klux Klan.
TheDickNixon

blah blah blah, and we already have examples from Saturday night of the fine folk at DU, Ko$, and Huffpo calling their hearts our praying for cheney to die.
UFKA_Smithwick

So it doesn't bother you that he was a high ranking klansmen?

Christopher_Taylor

Yeah those congressmen really hang on don't they? In office until death, really can't the voters at least show some dignity if they can't?

unclebillt

A departed Senator Byrd flies high
As a transplanted Rockefeller
waves
“Bye Bye”;
While tax-free lumber and coal mine owners
Hope a Succesor pulls no boners.

Poor old West Virginia; R.I.P.
UFKA_Smithwick

A truly awful person died today. I can think of nothing nice to say about him except that he is now no longer able to do any more harm.

That being said he is dead and thus no longer able to defend himself. So I suppose his friends and family deserve some peace and quiet to mourn their friend.
Pork_Soda

I just wanna see a compiled list of all the things in his state he got named after himself. I list of Byrd pork would be nice too. :)

mightysamurai

I'm not sure the site has enough bandwidth to support a list like that.

Seeker

If Robert Byrd were an ex-Klansman and a Republican, not a peep would have uttered about his past. It's only the fact of his being a Democrat that suddenly makes his past so relevant. That the late Senator somewhere between 76 to 113 years ago was a memebr of the Klan is at best a sidebar story. But to Michelle Malkin, the Tracy Flick of American letters, it's the main event.

UFKA_Smithwick

Really? That's an interesting take.

During Bushs term we were reminded on a regular basis that Prescott Bush may have had some business ties with the nazis.

We also heard about his service during the war and drug use.

We have heard virtually nothing about Byrds klan days or Kennedy murdering a girl.

You have the right idea, just the mirror image of what it should be.
TheDickNixon

“If Robert Byrd were an ex-Klansman and a Republican, not a peep would have uttered about his past. “

What is frightening is that you may actually believe this drivel.
StanW

If Robert Byrd was a Republican we would not be talking about this because he would have been run out of office YEARS AGO by a Liberal press that would not ever let him apologize enough for being in the KKK.

The main event is that Democrats lying claim to be the party of Civil Right yet they have as their leader a Klansman.

Evilbookworm

God be with his family. I wish them the best of hopes and sympathies in this time of sorrow.

As a west virginian, I'm rather curious to see what will happen now that there's 2 senate seats in my state, rather than one seat and a carved throne.

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