When did the Times say any lefty was extreme? To them Stalin and Mao were only slightly left of center.
Read Hugh Hewitt's Article: "Byrd Droppings" at www.hughhewitt.com.
Byrd himself, when Majority Leader, spoke out FOR rule changes to benefit his party. It is in the Congressional Record for 1979, according to the article. Byrd further traced the history of rule changes, showing that such changes have been done since the inception of Congress. So he got his changes! Now, the shoe is on the other foot.