$817,403.76 collected for Senator Byrd in two days.

[madfloridian]

From MoveOn:

SNIP..."If you had asked me, a few days ago, to guess how much MoveOn members would give to support Senator Robert Byrd, I would have told you that we'd be lucky to reach a couple of hundred thousand dollars. After all, it's early in the cycle, folks are busy, and you've been so generous recently on our Social Security and judicial campaigns.

But as I write this email, only about two days after our email went out, 19,214 of us have given $817,403.76 to support Senator Byrd. It's a whopping amount in electoral politics—more than MoveOn members have given in support of any other Senator—and at this early stage, it'll make a tremendous impact. This could be a knock-out blow for Republicans who are considering running against the Senator...."

[vademocrat]

1. YAY! We little people with our $5, $ 10, $15 can make a difference-n/t

[Carolab]

2. Oh, yes, we love our Byrd!!!

This is GREAT!

[BlueIris]

3. Byrd is MY HERO. Love him.

Glad to hear it's going a bit better for him in the fundraising department.

[WI_DEM]

4. Is this an indication that Byrd will run for a 9th term?

[GreenPoet64]

5. Defender of the constitution . Go Byrd! n/t

[DemGirl7]

6. Am I the only one who thinks MoveOn.org supporting Byrd is alittle weird?

I mean not to insult Sen. Byrd, but he's not what one will think of when one thinks of a Ultra-progessive PAC like MoveOn.org. especially given his recond in certain areas. I'm not saying that would rather have a Repuke in his place, or that I don't like him at all, I love the job he does defending the constitution, and that he was one of the few who spoke out against the war in Iraq. But there are some things that do bother me about him. I know like all humans, he has faults, but it just seems alittle weird to me this support from MoveOn.org.

[adwon]

10. Yeah it's ironic as hell

Robert Byrd and MoveOn. The irony and the niceness about it just bring a smile to my face.

[MollyStark]

11. No I do not think it is weird

Byrd is one of our greatest Senators. He is a social conservative and he doesn't always vote the way I would like him too, but he is a great Statesman and a valuable player. Progressives and liberals can appreciate that. We also appreciate his impassioned fight against the Iraqi War Resolution and against the Patriot Act.

[pstans]

7. Wow

that is a lot of money. Bryd was outspoken against the War in Iraq and the # of donors and the amount of money is such a short amount of time shows that there is a lot of people who are upset with the current situation.

[JackD76]

8. What is going On?

I must have missed the email, what is up with byrd?

[Auntie Bush]

9. A Byrd is in our hand and not in the Bush!

[JackD76]

12. Is Byrd Dying or something? Why are we helping him?!

[madfloridian]

13. His re-election next year...he is only 87, I think.

This is great.

[madfloridian]

14. Here is the letter from Obama and MoveOn the other day to explain.

The fundraising link is dead, but this will explain.

Dear MoveOn member,

Below, I've attached a note from Senator Barack Obama about the key moment Senator Robert Byrd faces in the next few days. But before we get to the note, here's why Senator Byrd is so important to us:

Two and a half years ago, when Congress was voting on the use of force against Iraq, Senator Byrd from West Virginia stood on the Senate floor and delivered a fiery speech. He told his colleagues that, "I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation which is over 50% children is 'in the highest moral traditions of our country.' This war is not necessary at this time." For those of us who opposed the war, he became a hero. And he's remained one, on many issues: just last week, Senator Byrd joined us at a MoveOn PAC rally to make a passionate appeal against the Republican plan to seize total control of judicial nominations in the Senate.

Now the senator needs our help. He's up for re-election in 2006. Because of his courageous stands, Republicans in the Senate have made him a primary target. They're already raising money to defeat him. And a critical deadline is coming up: on March 31st, Senator Byrd will report his campaign expenses to the FEC. He needs to show the press and public that he's got strong support.

Can you chip in now to support Senator Byrd?

You can give online at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/byrd.html?id=5282-1340845-tCS2OglFj3jPBXTYVCHDYQ

Thank you for everything you do,

--Eli Pariser
MoveOn PAC

A Message about Senator
Robert Byrd from Barack Obama

"Senator Robert Byrd has spoken out passionately against a Bush foreign policy that has alienated our allies throughout the world. Today, he is fighting an attempt by Republicans to ram federal judges through the Senate. . . In 2006, Senator Byrd will be the target of Republicans because he stands up for what he believes. Will you join me in supporting Senator Byrd's campaign for re-election, before a critical deadline this Thursday?"

— Senator Barack Obama


Donate to Support Senator Byrd Now!

[slor]

15. LOL...so much for the rethug, "he was a former KKK..." crap! n/t

[quaoar]

16. $800K is a shot across the bow

to anyone thinking of running against Byrd.

Perhaps we should try to immunize other incumbents targeted by the Repubs.

What about Jeffords?

[madfloridian]

17. Jeffords has Dean, Leahy, and Sanders, plus Vermont DFA behind him.

That is a good start. I love this idea though of using Obama to get money for Byrd. It worked.

Dean and Jeffords in an impromptu joint appearance.