(Senator) Byrd would win, say analysts

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Byrd would win, say analysts

GOP ready for battle should W.Va. senator seek re-election
 

By RAJU CHEBIUM - Gannett News Service

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Robert Byrd, 87, says he’s young in spirit and has the physical and mental stamina to continue serving in the Senate. But he hasn’t announced whether he’ll seek re-election to a ninth term in 2006.

Whether Byrd seeks to return to the Senate, where he has spent 47 years, is a crucial question for West Virginia and the nation.

If he doesn’t run, a seat that Democrats easily have held for decades comes into play.

If he runs, the race promises to be bitter and nasty because national Republicans vow to campaign hard to dislodge one of President Bush’s harshest critics. Byrd is often seen as a spokesman for the liberal wing of the Democrats.

more at:
http://hdonline.com/2005/April/04/LNtop1.htm

---
and in a related story today:

Rep. Capito could
be in a tough spot

Brad McElhinny
Daily Mail staff

President Bush’s stump for Social Security reform in Parkersburg this week might put Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito in a tough spot.

Capito has been the president’s biggest backer during his many trips to West Virginia, but she is officially on the fence about Social Security reform, a tough issue where she risks drawing the ire of the AARP in a state with one of the country’s oldest populations.


Her only declared opponent in the 2006 election, Democrat Erik Wells, says the president’s visit to West Virginia to promote Social Security changes does put her in an awkward spot.

“Publicly, she’s on the fence, but privately she’s squarely behind privatization,” Wells said today. “She’s brought up privatization every campaign, and you don’t constantly bring it up unless you support it in your heart.

“She won’t say it publicly because she’s more interested in challenging Senator Byrd than telling the voters of the 2nd district where she stands.”

more at:
http://dailymail.com/news/News/2005040420/

[toymachines]

1. do you think they would "off" byrd?

god knows he is a spur in "their" thigh. they could really use that senate seat, they have killed for less, and the man is old. a little switcheroo on the meds there... i think this guy is the best politician in all of america right now, too bad he cant run for president. but seriously, i hope he is protected.

[napi21]

2. I doubt they stand a chance of beating Byrd!

When I lived in SC, I kept asking the locals why they kept voting for Thurmond. That was 15 years ago, and he wasn't a capable Senator them! The response was always the same. Strom did a lot of good thing for SC, and he wants to stay a Senator, so we'll help him as long as he wants us to.

I'd bet the people from W Va feel the same way, and Bob Byrd HAS done a LOT of good thing for them.

Let the PUbs tie their shorts in knots over this one. They don't have a chance!!!

[AuntiBush]

3. Family in WV say Dont touch out SS!

And that ain't all. They're done in by their own party, admittedly.

[Dancing_Dave]

4. He would probably win for President too...

I don't really expect him to go for it at his age, but Senator Byrd may be the most widely trusted Senator left in this nation!;-)

[xchrom]

5. go byrd!

i hope.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

6. still don't take it for granted - for three reasons

1. capito is one of the biggest bush bootlickers. rove would love her as senator and if she runs, he'll employ the same shit against byrd that he did the great max cleland

2.the GOP plans to run an unprecedented negative campaign through "3rd party" groups - dr dobson, etc-while capito will do as she always does-run a phony "above the fray" facade

3. the so-called "democratic" governor of wv had actively campaigned for the GOP in the past (for republican cecil underwood as recntly as '96) and is very tight with the capito family - don't be surprised to see a republicrat "democrats for capito" group to form

[saltpoint]

7. I'm not a Robert Byrd Democrat ordinarily, but --

-- when he stands on the floor of the United States Senate and tells this president that his notion of assaulting a sovereign nation are ill-advised and poorly-conceived and morally wrong, I BECOME a Robert Byrd Democrat, at least on this issue.

If he runs, I hope he kicks the sorry ass of whichever right-wing monster the GOP nominates.

[natrat]

8. they dont got diebold yet?