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Sen. Robert Byrd Endorses Obama
Barack Obama has just received a Senate endorsement with layer upon layer of symbolism: Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), who called Obama "a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian," who "has my full faith and support."
The endorsement comes less than a week after Obama lost the West Virginia primary by a landslide, with many observers seeing race as a factor -- thus making the endorsement by Byrd, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan, all the more potent if the Obama campaign is to argue that they can reach out to white Appalachian voters.
As Ben Smith notes, the Byrd endorsement "is a note of reconciliation that underscores Obama's message."
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Comments (100)
Wow! Did not see that one coming.
Really awesome. Good for Obama.
May 19, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good for Obama.
Bad for Democracy.
Bad for the Democratic party.
May 19, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stay in school kids. Stay in school.
May 19, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
How is this bad for democracy and for the Democratic Party?
May 19, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
You expect an intelligent response?
May 19, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, THIS is bad for democracy: hundreds of thousands face disenfranchisement with new proof of citizenship requirements.
May 19, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, a supporter of the only candidate seeking to thwart the will of voters in order to win the nomination is calling an endorsement "bad for democracy"?
This is reaching the level of performance art.
May 19, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Voters taking away Clinton's nomination is bad for democracy... got it.
May 19, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent move. A real statesman. The numbers speak for themselves.
The Democratic Party has more pressing concerns
Kumbaya time is here
May 19, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
No great surprise, really. Byrd's KKK days are well behind him, but he remains a staunch advocate of the Constitution and was positively heroic in his opposition to the AUMF.
May 19, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
More BS after getting crushed in his State.
This is not democracy.
What a load of crap.
Pathetic.
So much for the will of the people.
Total BS.
May 19, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cry more.
May 19, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL.
May 19, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I look forward to reading more of your illuminating views on political topics in the latest edition of GoatLife.
May 19, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're having circulation issues. The distribution team has been caught eating the magazines.
Meheheheh.
May 19, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're so cute!
May 19, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol, really? this coming from a supporter of someone who's entire campaign strategy revolves around subverting the (national) will of the voters via a superdelegate coup, and now you are complaining that a superdelegate exercised "independent judgment", which is exactly what Hillary has been calling for them to do for months now?
You are pathetic. Go away, you are a disgrace to the Democratic Party. The Republicans love that sort of hypocrisy, why don't you go hang out with them, you'll fit right in.
May 19, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect that Getalife was hanging out with the Republicans long before coming here and posing as a Hillary supporter, in order to divide our party...
Goes to show what a bunch of softies we are here on the left, we even love our fake dem trolls.
May 19, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Goiterlife is a Republican. It scoffs when Democrats have won recent elections. This is no Clinton supporter... just a troll (R) here to stir up some nonsense.
May 19, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
More haiku! You're a TPM classic, GotALife.
May 19, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
HEE! We should totally do haikus for Gotalife!
Hillary is losing
No wait - she already lost
so leave already.
Votes, states, delegates,
Superdelegates - all say
Guess what, it's over.
What is the sound of
one Clinton yapping? ...sounds like
irrelevancy.
May 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just takes a little bit of re-ordering:
What a load of crap.
This is not democracy.
Pathetic BS.
May 19, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sage of the party,
West Virginia's Robert Byrd:
"I like Obama."
-
Obama/Byrd '08!
May 20, 2008 1:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Riiiiight... this superdelegate's for Obama, so it proves that the system is BS - but Hillary should win the nomination through superdelegates after losing the pledged delegate count, losing the popular vote, and losing in the majority of states.
What a paragon of consistency you are, Gotnolife.
May 19, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now this is the gotalife we know and razz.
Thank goodness. The other stuff you were posting was a little wan.
May 19, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here in Washington state 38 of 39 counties gave their pledged delegates to Obama by large margins, but Sen. Murray and Cantwell still maintained their endorsement of Hillary.
Par for the course.
Don't worry, Chelsey is next in the Clinton dynastic succession. She will be running in 2016. You can vote for her then.
The great news it that a man once upon a time might have lynched an 'uppity @#$@%#$' like Barrack will now endorse him for the President of the US says we have come a long, long way. We're not there yet, but yes, I have hope!
May 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God she won't be eligible at that point.
May 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, she will. She is a natural born citizen has resided in the US for more than 14 years and will be older than 35. Those are the only requirements. At 36 she would be the youngest president ever but eligible she will be.
May 19, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you want to cry for democracy, see http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/05/confirmed-19-states-have-votin.php. Then get off your snivelling butt and do something about it.
May 19, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't feed the...oh, never mind.
May 19, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Poor Gotalife.... He means so much for the "Will of the Working, Hard-working Americans, White American" People.
May 19, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish he would have done this before hand, people were calling for it, but whatever, better late than never. Maybe better later than early, because Byrd's endorsement probably wouldn't have changed much anyway, but now it serves to counter Hillary's fallacies that Obama has some kind of "white problem"
May 19, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Probably agreed not to do it before so that it wouldn't make Bryd look ineffectual. It will help with the general election though.
May 19, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know he's older than dirt's grandmother, and I really did admire his lonely oratory against this war ("This chamber is ominously silent...."), but "humble Christian"? The man who prides himself on being the Guardian of the Constitution is implying a religious test?
As I type, I decide to chalk it up to combatting the Muslim rumors.
May 19, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm impressed! A little chagrined that Byrd didn't do it before the WV primary, but still... powerful stuff. I would love to know what the discussions surrounding this one were.
May 19, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wonder what the rationale for waiting until the week after the WV vote was:
1. Clinton would've won anyway, making Byrd look
ineffectual?
2. Held off to show that time for unity is at hand, whatever prior primary results?
3. Wanted to let WV voters have say without trying to push them?
4. Something I can't think of?
In any case, a great get for Obama. Time to close this thing out.
May 19, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yikes.
This is certainly symbolic.
And bittersweet, too.
May 19, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS
May 19, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
IS
May 19, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
IS
May 19, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT
May 19, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
NEWS!!!
May 19, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR
May 19, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR
May 19, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
HILLARY!!!
May 19, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR DEMOCRACY!
May 19, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
NEWS
May 19, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Total BS.
May 19, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
IS BULLSHIT
May 19, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just cry, stamp your feet, let it out.
May 19, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is election fraud, pure and simple.
May 19, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, he's just exercising his independent judgement. As Hillary pointed out, that's what the superdelegates are there for.
May 19, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hahahahaha! How is a Superdelegate coming out and endorsing a candidate election fraud?
Oh, gotalife, you are so adorable.
May 19, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
An endorsement from a respected Sr. Senator is election fraud?
You're sipping silly juice, GotALife. Here, have some Kool Aid. Mmmmmm...refreshing!
May 19, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
THE MOST SENIOR Senator, for that matter...
May 19, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're supposed to use a smiley face :-) when you use sarcasm in post. That way we know when you're joking. Some people thought you were serious. Ha, Ha, HA. I get it!
May 19, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
ROFLMAO!
Election fraud - that is such a neat trick where there was no election.
How dey do dat?
May 19, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly Gotalife - I think you would agree with me that any election that doesn't yield the results we want is completely bullshit. We need a little more Myanmar in our "country".
This cool aid stinks of bs (shit of bull!).
Btw - Gotalife - did you hear that sushi place we've been eating at has higher than normal mercury levels? That probably explains your problem at the children's museum puzzle zoo this weekend.
May 19, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
GotALife missed you this weekend. He just hasn't been himself.
Welcome back!
May 19, 2008 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!
OK, now onto to what I really meant to say: Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
This is just too funny...
May 19, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to say, the symbolism behind this endorsement is huge. To me, it doesn't really matter that he didn't endorse before the WV primary, and I don't think it has to do with him looking ineffectual. Rather, I think his endorsement wouldn't have held as much weight -- it would have been overshadowed by the primary itself. At this point, now, on the eve of Obama securing a majority of Pledged Delegates... That, I think, carries more power.
May 19, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is a sign of party honchos circling the wagons for the presumptive nominee. Just like JE's endorsement, this carries more weight post-primary than pre-primary.
A brilliant move by BO camp.
May 19, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
All these pathetic Senators going against their own voters are up to no good.
You get what you vote for and they will all go corporate and let you down as usual.
Blind trust for these Senators is ignorant.
May 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd take the day off on Wednesday if I were you - there are going to be a whole lot of superdelegates rewarding Obama for getting wholloped in KY.
May 19, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
We should declare an all-gotalife day here Wednesday. Don't post or comment, unless you're replying to gotalife. Let gotalife fully explain why it just isn't fair.
May 19, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please take your own advice:
May 19, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now you're just stringing random words together. I'm starting to suspect you're nothing but a sentence-generating program. Fitter, happier, more productive...
May 19, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with Gotalife - if anyone knows about being up to know good it is him (Gotalife).
Btw - gotalife - Fogu has the # for the "special doctor" (proctologist) you needed. How the hell did you manage to do that? Kind of incredible.
May 19, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yummy! Barack-a-berry Blast! My favorite flavor! It's taste-a-licious!
May 19, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please help us bring Danielle Inouye and Barb Mikulski and Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell around to your way of thinking!! Hillary should reject these endorsements!!
May 19, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Breaking;
Goatshite, The Cat Lady From Vancouver, hurls some of her feral cats at Senator Robert Byrd.
May 19, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
How dare you imply that goatlife is anything other than "with it"? I mean, just look at these clear-eyed analyses from a couple of weeks ago-- We're talking "FlyOnTheWall" levels of insight. No cat lady, this one.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/04/hillary-clinton-will-be-the-ne.php
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/04/hillar-clinton-will-be-preside.php
May 19, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
this makes 299.5 Super Delegates for Senator Obama.
Here is the summary
he won the pledged delegates battle
he won the number of states battle
he is winning the popular vote battle
he raised more money (we will know tomorrow the month of April)
So the Super delegates are just looking at who has won...
And the winner is: SENATOR OBAMA
This is very simple...
Obama 08
May 19, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is history, a true symbolic page turner.
May 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is history, a true symbolic page turner.
May 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very very nice.
w00t!
May 19, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
GMTA!
May 19, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
HILLERY!!!!
May 19, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
On a serious note:
Senator Byrd's endorsement, after Senator Clinton's margin of victory in West Virginia, will provide cover for elected representatives from Clinton strongholds to also support Obama.
Since Senator Byrd showed a profile in courage, and exercised independent Super Delegate judgment, it will make it easier for others to do the same.
May 19, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Senator Byrd's endorsement along with Kerry, Kennedy and Richardson will give any superdelagte the perfect cover to endorse Clinton as well under the fact that they don't have to vote the way their constituents do because of the above. What is acceptable for cross endorsements going to Obama should mean that claims of vote stealing coming from the Obama campaign because the state didn't go that way will no longer be worthy of anything. They can be totally ignored.
May 19, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not one to spam or play Chicken Little, but the sky IS falling.
May 19, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
and the latest gallup poll:
55% Senator Obama - 39% Senator Clinton.
This is the widest margin for Obama, another good news for Senator Clinton...
The sky is falling over her head
Obama 08
May 19, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, over all of our heads. Hundreds of thousands stand to lose right to vote with new proof of citizenship requirement.
May 19, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
An endorsement long overdue.
May 19, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love this.
It's time to thank Hillary for her dedication and hard work and ask her to step aside. it's time to focus on winning this fall!
http://www.HillaryStepAside.com
May 19, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am 110% right behind you Gotalife - breathing heavily (because it is so hard to keep up!)
Seriously - to all of you all fools drinking kool aid - if anyone here knows BS (bull's shit) - it is Gotalife!
I am #1 fan! Accept no imitatons!
May 19, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
The elegant symmetry displayed in your, umm...stack, is breathtaking.
May 19, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is great news for Obama! Woof! Obama sure knows how to roll out these supers in good time. I loved that huge rally in Portland yesterday, the pictures of it. I couldn't make it. Prior engagement.
May 19, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
um, excuse my stupidity, but what is that avatar supposed to be on gotnolifefan?
May 19, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a pile of shit. Isn't it awesome?
May 19, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like Senator Byrd is really listening to his West Virginia electorate!
May 19, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome.
May 19, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
and welcome the 300.5 SD, DNC from Kansas Larry Gates.
Also Warren Buffet is endorsing Senator Obama.
What a great way to start the week for Senator Obama.
Obama 08
May 19, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Warren Buffet said he would endorse whoever the democratic nominee was, since his ideals were not matching up with he republicans.
He did not endorse Obama per se but the democratic nominee
May 19, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
"a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian," who "has my full faith and support."
For those of you who have never heard Southern spoken well,,,,,,,,,,,, that's what it sounds like.
Byrd pulled out the stops on that, and it will resonate throughout the Southland - and the message is very, very clear.
May 19, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Byrd is one of the few who can pull of such elegant language. And it says exactly what Obama wants those folks to hear.
May 19, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
At a boy Big Daddy.
May 19, 2008 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really love Senator Byrd, having listenined to some of his floor speeches. Gosh, the guy has palsy, but nothing stops him from speaking his mind, and pulling the Constitution out of his pocket to remind his colleagues of what the Senate is supposed to be about. He is a true elder.
A few years ago, I accompanied a friend to Charleston, WV who had to attend a medical meeting for three days. I spent my totally free time walking the city each day. In that capitol city, Senator Byrd's name is everywhere. So, I went to his local office and spent time with his secretary, telling her how much I appreciated her boss. She showed me a wonderful origami creation made of hundreds of paper doves put together into a large mobile. It had been made and sent to Senator Byrd by Japanese school children who wanted to honor him.
I had read that Senator Clinton put herself under Senator Byrd's care and tutelage when she arrived at the Senate. Knowing that fact makes Senator Byrd's endorsement of Obama even more significant.
May 19, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oops, make that 'listened'
May 19, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
test
May 20, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink