Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, Ex-Klansman

This interesting article from Michelle Malkin, especially poingant in light of his disapproval of Condi Rice. Hit link above for entire piece.


"The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth in West Virginia... It is necessary that the order be promoted immediately and in every state in the Union. Will you please inform me as to the possibility of rebuilding the Klan realm of W. Va?" Byrd's letter to the Klan's Imperial Wizard, 1946.

Byrd on "race mongrels." "[I will] never submit to fight beneath that banner [the American flag] with a Negro by my side. Rather would I die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds." 1947 letter by Robert Byrd. (Source: "The Democrats' Lott," Wall Street Journal, 23 December 2002.)
Byrd also filibustered the 1964 Civil Rights Act.