Posted on 03/31/2005 9:07:24 AM PST by JohnnyZ
Early Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., sent an appeal over the Internet urging people to contribute to the re-election campaign of Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va.
In less than 24 hours, more than 15,000 contributors gave $634,000 to Byrd’s campaign, according to the National Journal’s daily Internet publication “Hotline.” The average donation was about $42.25.
In Obama’s appeal, sent out by the MoveOn Political Action Committee, he wrote, “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?”
Obama told The Charleston Gazette on Wednesday, “Sen. Byrd has spent his career in the Senate standing up for the Constitution and putting principle over politics. The people of West Virginia are lucky to have such a distinguished and powerful advocate fighting for them who consistently delivers results.”
Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., said Wednesday, “I have no doubt that George Bush and Karl Rove will try to defeat him because they do not like Sen. Byrd. But I think they misjudge the character of West Virginians.
“They totally overlook the deep-seated respect West Virginians have for Sen. Byrd. I think West Virginia will embrace his re-election. It is to our benefit that his national reputation rallies supporters from around the country to contribute and to take notice of West Virginia,” Mollohan said.
Rove, a major political consultant to Bush, has run several political campaigns making harshly negative attacks on opposing candidates.
Steve White, a Charleston lawyer and former co-chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Party, said, “Robert C. Byrd has grown in stature with each succeeding year. He is respected and trusted by millions of people throughout this nation.
“Senator Byrd is a national figure and a desperately needed voice of reason in Washington. People throughout this country appreciate our senator and will be willing to do whatever is necessary to keep him in the Senate.”
Byrd was one of the first senators Obama met after coming to the Senate three months ago.
In his MoveOn appeal, Obama also said, “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.”
Mollohan said he was delighted, but “not surprised,” by the response to the appeal for funds.
“Last summer, I was at the Democratic National Convention in Boston and went to a church in Cambridge where Byrd was announcing the release of his book, ‘Losing America.’
“The place was packed with young people, middle-aged people and older people, reflecting the respect he enjoys nationally.”
Mollohan believes the White House already has Byrd “in their sights. Their approach is to use ad hominem attacks.”
“The thing the senator really has going for him is that West Virginians have known him for a long time. He has never let them down and his job is not yet done. Sen. Byrd wants to finish the Appalachian Corridor system and insure that West Virginia gets its fair share of government spending.
“We also need him to keep standing up for the constitutional rights of all Americans,” Mollohan said.
Wes Boyd and Joan Blades, husband-and-wife software entrepreneurs from the Silicon Valley — most famous for their “Flying Toasters” screensaver — founded MoveOn in 1998.
Originally, the group urged the nation to “censure Clinton” for his affair with Monica Lewinsky, then “move on” to more important business. Recently, MoveOn has become one of the nation’s leading fund-raisers that bought numerous political ads on television and in newspapers.
Obama closed his Tuesday letter by stating, “A Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate would mean a real change in the priorities of Washington, but more importantly, it would provide significant change for everyday people across America.
“Remember, in order to win back the Senate majority, we need Robert Byrd.”
What a bizarre world those people live in .....
LOL Sounds like BS to me.
April Fools Day isn't until tomorrow.
What a bizarre world those people live in .....
Perhaps a better way to describe it is: Pro-Al Qaeda Democrat Senator of Islamic background raises money for pro-Al Qaeda Democrat Senator with Muslim grandchildren.
"Boyz in the hood" supporting "Boyz in the hoods"? Hey, what do I know? Maybe Byrd is a post op Conehead!
EUtanase Bird!
Thanks, liberal (R)'s.
For....... Obama? Byrd? The Klan?
Everyone is talking--BUT Byrd. When he opens his mouth it is clear just how senile the guy is.
WVA and the nation needs to hear from Byrd himself unscripted.
Then the good people of WVA can decide is they must become a laughstock because KKK-bobby has no clue when to retire.
I feel terrible today. I was born in WV, and have spent 95% of my life here. I am proud to be a West Virginian, and have voted numerous times for Mr. Byrd. However, for the last two elections, I have not. He does NOT represent the mainstream of our citizens. What he does represent is the old-school Democrat party that has ruled over our state for many years, just as Alan Mollahan does. Many older folks here are just plain afraid of change on the local level, and find the reelection of Byrd and Mollahan as comforting. The greatest surprise I've gotten in years is that Shelly Moore Capito was elected to the second congressional district for a second term...not only a 'Pubbie in a traditionally strong Democrat district...But a woman to boot!
I feel the need to apologize to the rest of the nation for the actions of my senator, and many in my home state. We will try harder to elect someone else. But it's hard to find someone to run against the established party line, especially with the $$$ they have to spend. And if the 'Pubbies go out and try to raise that kind of money, we are portrayed as viciously going after the Democrat candidate. Sucks, don't it?
Oh, yeah, perhaps I ought to clarify a few things for those of you not closely associated with WV politics. First, the Charleston Gazette is the daily Democratic-leaning (read "Yellow Dog Democrat!") newspaper; second, Alan Mollahan followed his dad as first congressional district representative (he's a legacy!); and third, most of us DON'T have that kind of respect for Bobby B any more.
Is Byrd really going to seek re-election? He's 87 and such a foolish man. I know about Strom Thurmond but Byrd is really impaired in his judgment on things. It's time for him to do the right thing and step down and let someone better than him take his place.
Do you have a cite for that? It certainly helps to explain his affinity for "Sheets" Byrd.
;-)
"Senator Obama is a direct descendant of Jefferson Davis."
Sorry I have a better chance of being a direct descendant since my great grandfather came from Mississippi ( I believe that is where Jeff Davis lived after the war). I doubt it though.
How appropiate... A traitor is an descendant of an traitor..
In Obama’s appeal, sent out by the MoveOn Political Action
Committee<<<
Two more elected communists to help in taking over America.
I think we would be shocked if we really knew how many there are.
Umm, Johnny, your link doesn't say anything about Jefferson Davis (the brief biography of Obama doesn't even reveal Obama's mother's name). Did you post the wrong link?
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