I totally agree w you. I don't know anything about WV politics, but IMHO it's because he's been an incumbent since Moses and he brings home LOTS of PORK!!! I also wonder if he's had any serious challengers in past years (I'm thinking probably not). Looks like he will this year, and, my guess is that if folks in WV watch any debates, they're going to have to take a second look. Also, IIRC WV was a primarily blue state until the last several years. I think that Pres Bush won the state in 2000 and that was the 1st time an R had since Reagan (but could be wrong on that).
In case you didn't see this:
Wealthy Businessman to Challenge Byrd
Associated Press ^ | Jan 25 | LAWRENCE MESSINA,
Posted on 01/25/2006 8:31:11 PM PST by george76
A multimillionaire businessman entered the GOP race to challenge Sen. Robert C. Byrd on Wednesday, hoping to deny the 88-year-old incumbent Democrat a record ninth term.
John Raese, 55, said he would campaign on a platform touting free enterprise ...
a rebirth of capitalism...
The National Republican Senatorial Committee heralded the filing by Raese, a former state GOP chairman who has sought office before.
Though four other Republicans are running in the party primary, the GOP committee called Raese "the first financially credible opponent Byrd has faced since 1982."
Raese's last major foray into election politics came nearly 18 years ago.
With narrow losses each time, he ran against Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., in 1984 and challenged then Gov.-Arch Moore in the 1988 GOP primary.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1565155/posts
More ad hominem attacks on Judge Alito--
the disabled in this country will be at the mercy of
the Supreme Court...libraries will not have wheelchair access, puleeeeeze.
Ohhh, and he DARES say this:
"I am deeply concerned Judge Alito will not be on the side of
*ALL* Americans' civil rights"
ABORTION BAD, TOM!! ABORTION BAD!!
Google the reasons why, D'oh!!
Great news. It's way past time to rechristen several bridges in WV.
http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_byrddroppings
Words of wisdom from the
King of Pork
Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.)
Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee
Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam
Byrd Aerospace Tech. Center
Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope
Byrd Industrial Park
Robert C. Byrd Drive, from Beckley to Sophia (Byrd's hometown)
Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center at Wheeling Jesuit University
Robert C. Byrd Highway
Robert C. Byrd Federal Correctional Institution
Robert C. Byrd High School
Robert C. Byrd Freeway
Robert C. Byrd Center for Hospitality and Tourism
Robert C. Byrd Science Center
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia
Robert C. Byrd Cancer Research Center
Robert C. Byrd Technology Center at Alderson-Broaddus College
Robert C. Byrd Hardwood Technologies Center, near Princeton
Robert C. Byrd Bridge between Huntington and Chesapeake, Ohio
Robert C. Byrd addition to the lodge at Oglebay Park, Wheeling
Robert C. Byrd Community Center, Pine Grove
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships
Robert C. Byrd Expressway, U.S. 52 near Weirton
Robert C. Byrd Institute in Charleston
Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing
Robert C. Byrd Visitor Center at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse
Robert C. Byrd Academic and Technology Center
Robert C. Byrd United Technical Center
Robert C. Byrd Federal Building (there are two)
Robert C. Byrd Hilltop Office Complex
Robert C. Byrd Library and Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center
Robert C. Byrd Rural Health Center
Robert C. Byrd Clinical Addition to the veteran's hospital in Huntington
Robert C. Byrd Industrial Park, Hardy County
Robert C. Byrd Scholastic Recognition Award
Robert C. Byrd Community Center in the naval station, Sugar Grove
Thanks. Here's hoping this Byrd flies the coop!
Excellent news. I hope West Virginians are ready for a change.