Posted on 09/02/2005 1:25:24 PM PDT by neverdem
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With a formal announcement set for next week, Republicans are already attacking the U.S. Senate's oldest member, Democrat Robert C. Byrd, for his intention to seek a record ninth term.
Ned Rose, chairman of the organization Friends of Robert C. Byrd, said in an e-mail to supporters that the 87-year-old will disclose his plans Wednesday at the state Capitol.
"Senator Byrd has always exemplified the courage, the strength and the leadership that defines a statesman," Rose wrote. "He has never flinched from a challenge."
Tom Gavin, a spokesman for Byrd, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the senator has "every intention to seek re-election. But I'm going to let the senator make his own announcement."
The Republican National Senatorial Committee has already launched ads attacking Byrd, and the senator has responded with his own television spot.
The Republican spot accuses Byrd of reversing positions on national defense, taxes and flag-burning since he was first elected to the Senate in 1958. The 30-second spot that ran nationally in July shows a picture of Byrd as a young man with a fiddle under his chin that alternates with a picture of the white-haired senator.
"Senator Byrd: We agree he's changed. But is it good for West Virginia?" the ad asks.
At least three Republicans plan to seek the nomination for Byrd's seat. But Republican U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, considered the GOP's best chance against Byrd, has not said whether she will challenge Byrd or seek a fourth term in the House.
Byrd, who won with 77.8 percent of the vote in 2000, hasn't lost an election since he ran for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1946.
Health was believed to be a factor in whether Byrd will seek re-election, both his own and that of his wife of 68 years, Erma Ora, who is seriously ailing.
West Virginians, do your job.
He needs contributions and blood transfusions...old coot.
For the love of crap! The man can't even walk without TWO canes now! It's time to put this man out to pasture!!!
The Klanster is running??? Wow...
That makes this his 64th term as Grand Poobah of the Klan, then, right?
He was a personal friend of Gen. N. B. Forrest.
I understand he was at the Sermon On The Mount, although he wore his robe over his head.
Bummer.
Only a Byrd brain would vote for him.
Any word on his dog, Billy?
These questions are simply for self education. Isn't West Virginia a quite safe Democrat sanctuary whether Byrd runs or some other Democrat? How close was it last time Byrd ran?
No wonder he thinks so highly of himself.......The voters in his state must vote with their eyes closed.
"He (Byrd)has never flinched from a challenge."
Should read:
"He has never flinched from a cross-burning or a lynching."
Ancient, shriveled up POS.
This is good news. I would not like to see the old bigoted bastard slink away without the beating he deserves.
Is it just coincidence that the article below this one is titled "Taking on the Looters"? Byrd is the biggest looter in the United States Senate!
If he wins, the Senate will enjoy 6 more years of this:
http://www.radioblogger.com/images/byrdesther.mp3
Its becoming more and more conservative, the governor there is a democrat, but is further to the right then most RINOs, if Byrd were to retire, this seat would be guaranteed GOP.
That said, Byrd hasn't had a close race in god knows how long....if ever.
He is the king of pork, and has one of the best constituent outreach programs in the senate.
Notice the `Intelligencer' has to get in the word "attacked" (by Republicans) twice.
Great, 6 more years of listening to this pompous windbag drone on. . . .
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