Robert Byrd's, 2006 Senate Race Options

[Gabrielle]

Robert Byrd versus an, as yet, undecided Shelly Moore Capito. Do the people of WV think Byrd is too old to reelect him? Could we lose this senate seat?


The Republicans Poll; Democrats Plead

Byrd is running as if Capito were only 10 points behind
Thursday April 14, 2005

West Virginians know why Democrats brought in Barack Obama to raise money for Bob Byrd's bid for a ninth term.

Byrd is acting scared.

He is a legend. He never won a Senate race by less than 30 points. West Virginians put him right up there with Sears and Carter's liver pills.

But times change, and whatever my disagreements with Byrd may be, he is a masterful politician.

Byrd taught Ted Kennedy how to count votes in a 1971 upset over the No. 2 post in the Senate. Kennedy miscalculated.

Byrd continues counting. He might see himself falling a few votes short this time.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee did a telephone poll of 500 likely voters on March 15-16 and found Republican Congresswoman Shelley Capito is within 10 points of Byrd.

Byrd was ahead 52 percent to 42. The margin of error is 4.3 percent, meaning that in 19 out of 20 cases, the numbers for the two would fall between 48 and 56 for Byrd and 38 and 46 for Capito.

The days of the 30-point wins may have passed.

Now that is one poll, by Republicans no less. Democrats are not releasing their poll results, but their reaction is curious. They sent in a rookie senator to raise money for their longest-serving senator.

Shouldn't that be the other way around?

"In 2006, Senator Byrd will be the target of Republicans because he stands up for what he believes," Obama said in a computer message to members of MoveOn.org.

In reaching out to the far left for help, Byrd is not only going where the money is, he goes where his political heart is.

Calling for help this early looks like panic. Well, Republicans did knock off the Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, last year.

But Republicans tried to target Byrd for defeat when he was Senate leader in 1982 by running Cleve Benedict against him. Bringing up Byrd's Ku Klux Klan past failed as miserably then as it did in his first congressional race in 1952.

Byrd taught Republicans, too, how to count votes.
Democrats hold 17 of the Senate seats up for grabs next year. West Virginia is not yet on the Republicans' list of top 10 targets -- once bitten and all that.

Hiram Lewis is the first announced candidate. He announced on a Saturday afternoon, not a good time to get coverage -- particularly when it is the last day of the Legislature. The only thing worse would be if WVU were playing a football game.

Lewis also is treasurer of the state Republican Party, which is like holding a ticket for the Titanic's return trip. The party is broke.

A poor Republican outgunned 2-to-1 in voter registrations hardly should pose a threat to an eight-term senator with more than 30 public projects bearing his name.

But Byrd knows how to count votes. He knows that unknown Brent Benjamin beat Warren McGraw by 47,000 votes, the first time a Republican knocked off an incumbent Democratic statewide officeholder since before the Great Depression.

Byrd also knows that Benjamin won thanks to an independent campaign financed by coal magnate Don Blankenship.

Byrd knows that Lewis drafted off that campaign to come within 6,000 votes of toppling the other McGraw brother on the ballot, despite no money, no name recognition and no particular skill in campaigning.

If a name like McGraw can struggle against two unknowns, so can the name Byrd.

Republican Betty Ireland beat his fellow Democratic legend, Ken Hechler, by 29,000 votes.

Hechler, 90, said his age beat him. Hechler said too many people over 65 thought he was too old to serve.

Byrd turns 88 this year. He has never lost an election.

Capito may be within 10 points of breaking that streak.

Don Surber may be reached at donsurber@dailymail.com.

This post has been edited by Gabrielle: Apr 24 2005, 01:56 PM

[Gabrielle]

WV-SEN: Time to Hang Up the Sheets?
Many of you probably thought I was crazy for suggesting that Robert Byrd could be beaten. Well, a new poll out (ours, to be sure) shows that re-election won't be walk in the park for West Virginia's senior Senator. (Via the Hotline.)

An Anderson Group ® poll; conducted 3/15-16 for the NRSC; surveyed 500 likely general voters; margin of error +/- 4.3% (release, 4/8). Tested: Sen. Robert Byrd (D) and Rep. Shelly Capito (R-02).
General Election Matchup
Byrd 52%
Capito 42
Undec/Oth 8


Given Byrd's past re-elect numbers (after 70%, you stop keeping track), these are horrible numbers for this early in the cycle, and a long, strenuous campaign with a tough, even-tempered opponent does not favor Sen. Byrd.

[heritage]

This is payback to Shelly Moore Capito- R-WV who is running against Byrd in 2006.
She voted for CAFTA.

This really shows how dirty they play.

GOP Puts Up First Senate Campaign Ad

Updated 6:43 PM ET July 28, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...8bklv68a&src=ap

By WILL LESTER

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans accuse West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd of sharply changing his priorities over the last five decades in the first television ad purchased by either of the campaign committees in a warmup to the 2006 congressional campaign.

The Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee announced Thursday it has spent "tens of thousands" of dollars for an ad that will start Friday and run on network and cable television in the Charleston, W.Va., market. The final amount spent and length of time the ad will run have not been settled, said Brian Nick, a committee spokesman.

The ad shows a picture of Byrd as a brown-haired young man with a bow tie and a fiddle under his chin that alternates with a picture of the white-haired senator, who is now 87. Byrd entered the Senate in 1958 and is in his eighth term. [Are republicans supporting age discrimination???]

"Byrd voted for soldiers in the 50s, but he voted against body armor in the war on terror. Back then, he stood with working families ... today he votes for higher taxes for the middle class." The first claim refers to a 2003 bill providing money for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the second refers to Byrd's votes against President Bush's proposed tax cuts.

Ned Rose, chairman of Byrd's campaign committee, said Byrd is working to save the Air National Guard base in Charleston and improve health care for veterans. Byrd has fought GOP budget cuts for Medicaid, education, health care and job training, Rose said.

Byrd hasn't formally announced he will run for re-election, though aides say they expect him to run. The GOP field is uncertain, though Republican activists hope Rep. Shelly Moore Capito challenges Byrd.

Byrd's seat is one of 33 Senate seats up for election in 2006.

[heritage]

Byrd Replies to GOP Ad With Own Spot

Updated 3:45 PM ET August 3, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...8bohtl00&src=ap

By LAWRENCE MESSINA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Eight-term Democratic Sen. Robert C. Byrd has responded to a Republican ad criticizing his record by putting out his own spot that says the GOP commercial is false and misleading.

The West Virginia lawmaker has yet to announce that he will seek a ninth term in 2006. More than a year before the election, the National Republican Senatorial Committee already has begun showing an ad that assails Byrd for his votes against President Bush on national security and taxes.

The 87-year-old Byrd ran out a 30-second commercial in response.

"Their agenda? Privatize Social Security and tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas," Byrd's ad says.

The spot also features Iraq war veteran and West Virginia University graduate Jared Towner, who praises Byrd for "bringing jobs to West Virginia, funding schools and hospitals, protecting our flag and supporting our troops."

Ned Rose, chairman of Byrd's campaign committee, said it is spending about $50,000 to air its ad. The Republicans say they are spending tens of thousands but would not provide specifics.

Both ads have appeared only in the state's Charleston-Huntington television market in the southwest part of the state.

National Republicans are hoping that three-term Rep. Shelley Moore Capito will challenge Byrd in a state that has grown more Republican; Bush got 56 percent of vote in 2004 to John Kerry's 43 percent. Capito has said she would not decide until next month.

[heritage]

Byrd Likely to Seek Ninth Senate Term

Updated 11:27 AM ET September 2, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...8cc6ug80&src=ap

By ERIK SCHELZIG

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - With a formal announcement set for next week, Republicans are already attacking the U.S. Senate's oldest member, Democrat Robert C. Byrd, for his intention to seek a record ninth term.

Ned Rose, chairman of the organization Friends of Robert C. Byrd, said in an e-mail to supporters that the 87-year-old will disclose his plans Wednesday at the state Capitol.

"Senator Byrd has always exemplified the courage, the strength and the leadership that defines a statesman," Rose wrote. "He has never flinched from a challenge."

Tom Gavin, a spokesman for Byrd, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the senator has "every intention to seek re-election. But I'm going to let the senator make his own announcement."

The Republican National Senatorial Committee has already launched ads attacking Byrd, and the senator has responded with his own television spot.

The Republican spot accuses Byrd of reversing positions on national defense, taxes and flag-burning since he was first elected to the Senate in 1958. The 30-second spot that ran nationally in July shows a picture of Byrd as a young man with a fiddle under his chin that alternates with a picture of the white-haired senator.

"Senator Byrd: We agree he's changed. But is it good for West Virginia?" the ad asks.

At least three Republicans plan to seek the nomination for Byrd's seat. But Republican U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, considered the GOP's best chance against Byrd, has not said whether she will challenge Byrd or seek a fourth term in the House.

Byrd, who won with 77.8 percent of the vote in 2000, hasn't lost an election since he ran for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1946.

Health was believed to be a factor in whether Byrd will seek re-election, both his own and that of his wife of 68 years, Erma Ora, who is seriously ailing.

[heritage]

Sen. Byrd Delays Re-Election Announcement

Updated 12:30 PM ET September 6, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...8ces8go2&src=ap

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The U.S. Senate's oldest member, Democrat Robert C. Byrd, has postponed his re-election announcement, saying the timing was improper in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Byrd, 87, had planned to make the announcement for a record ninth term during a news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday.

"Considering the events unfolding in the Gulf States and the heroic efforts still under way to save lives _ efforts that include our own West Virginia National Guard _ this is not the time for political announcements," Byrd said in a statement released by his office.

The senator also noted that U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist's funeral is planned for Wednesday.

Byrd was first elected to the Senate in 1958 and won his recent re-election bid with 77.8 percent of the vote. He hasn't lost an election since he ran for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1946.

Byrd's office did not say when he would reschedule his announcement.

[heritage]

Sen. Byrd to Run for Record Ninth Term

Updated 12:56 PM ET September 27, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...8csnjng7&src=ap

By LAWRENCE MESSINA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Eighty-seven-year-old Democrat Robert C. Byrd announced Tuesday he will seek a record ninth term in the Senate.

Using the Capitol Rotunda as a stage, Byrd told supporters he was "ready to go. Another round."

"I have the best job in America because I represent you, the people of West Virginia. And I want to keep this job," he said.

Byrd has 47 years in the Senate and will become the longest-serving member in its history in June. He previously served six years in the U.S. House, and before that terms in both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature.

"I've given most of my life to serving the people of West Virginia, and it began here 59 years ago," Byrd said to chants of "six more years, six more years."

The Republican Party has made unseating Byrd a top priority. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has already aired television ads questioning whether he remains in step with West Virginia voters.

Yet, polling by Survey USA suggests an upswing in Byrd's stature with West Virginians, particularly when compared to President Bush. Byrd's approval rating increased from 56 percent in May to 65 percent on Aug. 15 _ before the 130th Air National Guard Airlift Wing in Charleston was spared the loss of its eight cargo planes with help from Byrd in the fight over military base realignments nationwide.

Bush's approval rating has remained around 44 percent, with more than half of those surveyed disapproving of his performance.

At least four Republicans have filed or announced plans to run for Byrd's seat in 2006, but national GOP officials are pinning their hopes on Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, who has yet to announce her plans.

Supports say Byrd showed the power of his stature last month when he helped derail the Pentagon proposal to strip the 130th of its planes. He also has seen his profile rise beyond the state's borders as he has clashed with the Bush administration over Iraq and other topics.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Byrd said he was ready for another campaign.

"Show me another 87-year-old man who's got the energy that I've got, and I'll eat your hat," he said.

[heritage]

I heard last week that Shelly Moore Capito, republican congresswoman from WV will NOT run for senate against Byrd. The republicans will have to come up with someone else who can beat Byrd.

[Gabrielle]

I heard last week that Shelly Moore Capito, republican congresswoman from WV will NOT run for senate against Byrd. The republicans will have to come up with someone else who can beat Byrd.

Byrd will win. He is an icon in this state. I hope his health is good! Who else could they get from this state to run against Byrd and beat him?