West Virginians: Will Sen. Byrd campaign for Kerry in the state?

[bluestateguy]

I know that Byrd is very parsimonious about who he chooses to campaign for, but I was always under the impression that he is very loyal to his colleagues, especially on his side of the aisle. Byrd seems to really hate Bush, whereas he seemed to just mildly dislike Clinton, and Kerry is a colleague of almost 20 years. It could be invaluable to Kerry if Byrd would stump for him in West Virginia. Do you folks know anything?

[davidinalameda]

1. he's one of his campaign chairs in the state

as much as Byrd hates Bush, I would say he'll campaign for Kerry

[Crachet2004]

2. I read in the 'Charleston Gazette', our major newspaper, I believe last...

week, that Byrd and Rockefeller were going to help Kerry, and do so early. I hope they do, as he may need all the help he can get in WV, the issues of guns, God, and Gays being what they are here.

Especially guns. A lot of people feel like they got burned on that last time though, so we will see.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Of course Byrd disliked Clinton

Byrd is very old school, and guards the old traditions of the Senate like a junkyard dog. It is the nature of the Presidency to try to wrest power from the legislature. This gets Byrd riled up.

An example was recess appointments of federal judges. Republicans in the Senate were blocking Clinton's judicial nominees. Clinton responded by temporarily appointing some judges while the Senate was not in session. This angered Byrd, as he saw it as an infringement of the Senate's right of advice and consent.

I'm sure that he will support Kerry's election, and will butt heads with him once he is in office.

[McDiggy]

4. Yes.

I'm "in the mix" so to speak and am on some interesting grass roots email lists. VERY reliable stuff. A quote from an email I recieved yesterday:

"I spoke with one of my primary internet contact who has
helped me in the past - in Chstn. - and she told me who
is now staffing the Kerry effort. Apparently both senators have loaned
their first stringers in the state to the campaign. Sen. Byrd has let
Ann Barth go to the Kerry campaign."

[cap]

5. yes...

in his booksigning at B&N in NYC Byrd answered a question about this. Yes, WV will go for Kerry and Yes, Byrd will help Kerry.