Democrats Call on Ex-Klansman Byrd to Raise Campaign Funds
In their desperation to win back the Senate, Democrats have trotted out 88-year-old former Ku Klux Klansman Robert Byrd in an effort to raise money for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
The West Virginia senator, who himself is considered vulnerable this year as he seeks an unprecedented ninth term, sent an e-mail this past week to potential supporters stating: “The only way to confront the Bush administration’s egregious abuse of power is to elect a Democratic Senate . . .
“Contributing to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is such an important step in reclaiming our liberties.”
He asked for contributions of “$50, $75, or more.”
The former majority leader also declared that “in my long career serving this nation . . . I have known statesmen and scoundrels alike.”
During the Bill Clinton impeachment controversy, Byrd indicated where he would place Clinton among those two, saying he was “sickened” by the president’s behavior and had “no doubt” Clinton had given false testimony under oath and misled the American people.
In the end, however, Byrd toed the party line and not only voted against removing Clinton from office, but even introduced a motion to dismiss the charges.
Late last year Byrd’s former membership in the Klu Klux Klan was in the news again when Sen. Hillary Clinton threw a birthday party for Byrd at the home of civil rights pioneer Frederick Douglass. Critics charged it was outrageous that Douglass’ home would be used to honor Byrd.
Byrd joined the Klan in 1943 and rose to the level of Kleagle. He was also elected to the office of “Exalted Cyclops.”
Byrd claims to have resigned a few months later. But in 1946, he wrote to the Klan’s Imperial Wizard to express his support. "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth,” he said.
Byrd filibustered the 1964 Civil Rights Act for 14 straight hours, and in the early 1970s he pushed to have the Senate's main office building named after Sen. Richard Russell, a leading opponent of anti-lynching legislation who Byrd called "my mentor."
As recently as 2001, he used the N-word in television interviews.
And just last year, when he released his autobiography, Byrd failed to renounce the Klan – and even defended it, claiming it was largely a men’s social organization.
In their desperation to win back the Senate, Democrats have trotted out 88-year-old former Ku Klux Klansman Robert Byrd in an effort to raise money for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
The West Virginia senator, who himself is considered vulnerable this year as he seeks an unprecedented ninth term, sent an e-mail this past week to potential supporters stating: “The only way to confront the Bush administration’s egregious abuse of power is to elect a Democratic Senate . . .
“Contributing to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is such an important step in reclaiming our liberties.”
He asked for contributions of “$50, $75, or more.”
The former majority leader also declared that “in my long career serving this nation . . . I have known statesmen and scoundrels alike.”
During the Bill Clinton impeachment controversy, Byrd indicated where he would place Clinton among those two, saying he was “sickened” by the president’s behavior and had “no doubt” Clinton had given false testimony under oath and misled the American people.
In the end, however, Byrd toed the party line and not only voted against removing Clinton from office, but even introduced a motion to dismiss the charges.
Late last year Byrd’s former membership in the Klu Klux Klan was in the news again when Sen. Hillary Clinton threw a birthday party for Byrd at the home of civil rights pioneer Frederick Douglass. Critics charged it was outrageous that Douglass’ home would be used to honor Byrd.
Byrd joined the Klan in 1943 and rose to the level of Kleagle. He was also elected to the office of “Exalted Cyclops.”
Byrd claims to have resigned a few months later. But in 1946, he wrote to the Klan’s Imperial Wizard to express his support. "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth,” he said.
Byrd filibustered the 1964 Civil Rights Act for 14 straight hours, and in the early 1970s he pushed to have the Senate's main office building named after Sen. Richard Russell, a leading opponent of anti-lynching legislation who Byrd called "my mentor."
As recently as 2001, he used the N-word in television interviews.
And just last year, when he released his autobiography, Byrd failed to renounce the Klan – and even defended it, claiming it was largely a men’s social organization.