Now Let's All Forget About Robert Byrd

Robert Byrd was one of those Democrats with a bit of an odd past that Republicans like to bring up when they need something shady sounding to smear Democrats in general. Like Ted Kennedy, who, whenever he did something that Republicans didn't like -- which covered practically everything he did -- would be reminded of that time he got into a car accident at Chappaquiddick that ended up killing the girl in his passenger seat (even though you never hear an elected Democrat bring up the fact that Laura Bush killed a guy -- that's right, Laura Bush killed a guy), Robert Byrd could never live down his membership in the KKK, his opposition to desegregation, and the fact that he filibustered against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Also he was getting really old and every speech he made sounded increasingly senile and non-sensical. While he may very well have helped out with some decent legislation here and there, he was kind of an embarrassment, and now that he's dead I'm relieved that I'll no longer have to hear Republicans whine disingenuously about his personal history.