"But he is one of the craziest."
I'm not even sure about that. I'll take Byrd over Kerry, Kennedy, Boxer, etc. any day.
I agree. Everyone acts like he is the anti-Christ, but he is actually a social conservative. He carries a copy of the Constitution with him and has demonstrated many times that he is a strict constructionist. If I recall correctly, he was the only ranking dem that harshly criticized William Blythe Clinton. Most here hate him merely because he has alot of power. IMHO, his reverence for the constitution beats a dozen Chafees, Snowes, Specters, McCains & Liddy Doles.
Too bad he isn't GOP. If he were, nobody here would tolerate anyone criticizing him.