W. Virginia Sen. Byrd endorses Obama

[Blaq Dem]

Source: The Hill

Byrd endorses Obama

By Sam Youngman
Posted: 05/19/08 01:26 PM

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) announced Monday that he is supporting Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) even though his state voted overwhelming in favor of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) last week.

Byrd's endorsement is yet another sign that the long nomination battle between Clinton and Obama is nearing an end.


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Read more: http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/byrd-endorses-obama-2008-05-19.html

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I'm shocked! I'd expect Sen. Byrd to throw Hillary a bone.

[charlie and algernon]

1. alright!! YES WE CAN!!

[notfullofit]

2. I guess he

wants to end his career from a different place than when he started it.

[Muttocracy]

3. and maybe that's a nice symbol of American progress itself nt

[notfullofit]

7. He's a perfect example. nt

[Blaq Dem]

5. Mmmm hmmm, we know where he started

[lisa58]

4. Wow...

...that's a big one.

[BunkerHill24]

6. K&R

Thank you Sen. Byrd

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. Strategically brilliant!

He knew exactly what he was doing, emphasizing Obama's faith, Christianity and patriotism. The last reelection contest for Byrd was brutal. The Republicans went after him very dirty. He still won but I think it may have taken a lot out of him. Being the eldest stateman, he can barely stand or talk. I think he will die in office. Perhaps before he dies, he wanted to reconcile his KKK past by doing the right thing. As a woman of color, I can respect and appreciate that, but I do think he sincerely believes in Obama. He didn't have to endorse anyone, really; or, one could argue that he should be obligated to support Hillary because of her big win.

Byrd bravely stood up in the Senate chambers while his cowardly Democratic colleagues were voting to go to war against Iraq. I will never forget his speech. He basically cried on the floor of the Senate, begging the Senators to at least have a debate on the issue before rushing to war. It was one of the most heart-wrenching moments in Senate history.

ETA: I'll look for the YouTube video of Byrd's speech. It will make you cry but it was so moving and brilliant. Everyone should see it if they can.

[Pastiche423]

9. Don't you mean

speeches?

He spent a lot more than one day standing all alone on the senate floor, holding his copy of our Constitution in one hand, as he begged his fellow senators not to authorize whistle ass' plan for pre-emptive war. Our Bryd Watch threads are in the archives.

I would have been shocked if he had voted for Clinton.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. I stand corrected.

Love that pic in your siggie!

Where's Al???

[Pastiche423]

11. Al's been kind of busy

You can usually find him in some corner of our planet, teaching people how to better stewards of the land.

My sig line will remain up until a Dem candidate is selected, which could mean until the second, third, forth or twentieth vote at the convention.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. Sad, indeed!

Randi Rhodes frequently says that she speaks to Al and that he is emphatic about not wanting to reenter politics. He has had it with political life and enjoys the life he has now and the work he is doing outside of the political domain.

[Stevepol]

15. I saw this speech too, and I also thought it would go down in history.

It had the ring of something from ancient Rome or some of the famous speeches in American history. It was the right speech at the right time and should have shamed his Democratic colleagues into showing a little courage for once.

Unfortunately, the legislative Dems as a whole, except for Kucinich and a couple others, were still playing triangulation politics, taking no chances, and had about as much courage as squirrels darting through traffic to get back to their burrows.

[galledgoblin]

13. thank you senator! (n/t)

[JeanGrey]

14. He's dead to them now.

[bullwinkle428]

16. It would have been nice if he had done this two weeks ago

when it really could have made a difference in the WV primary - residents of the state consider him to be a god of sorts, and I think that could have swung the numbers significantly.

[Blaq Dem]

17. It may help in the general election.

There was another W.V. superdelegate Obama picked up. I can't recall who he was.

[MJJP21]

18. KKK

I believe Byrd is an ex KKK member and this speaks volumes for tomorrows primary in Kentucky.

[Petrushka]

19. KKK?

Kentucky Koal is King?








:hide:

[GetTheRightVote]

20. I would like to see and hear the speech Senator Bryd made, please link ?

:D