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Byrd spokesman defends senator's Hitler remarks
Thursday, March 3, 2005 Posted: 8:01 AM EST (1301 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Robert Byrd's description of Adolf Hitler's rise to power was meant as a warning to heed the past and not as a comparison to Republicans, a spokesman for the West Virginia Democrat says.

Two Jewish groups and two GOP politicians chastised the senator on Wednesday, including one who recalled Byrd's Ku Klux Klan membership as a young man. Byrd's comments, which he made Tuesday in the Senate, came during his speech criticizing a Republican plan to block Democrats from filibustering President Bush's judicial nominees.

"Terrible chapters of history ought never be repeated," said Tom Gavin, spokesman for Byrd. "All one needs to do is to look at history to see how dangerous it is to curb the rights of the minority."

Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, the Senate's No. 3 Republican, called for Byrd to retract his comments, saying they "lessen the credibility of the senator and the decorum of the Senate."

Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, called the remarks "poisonous rhetoric" that are "reprehensible and beyond the pale."

The storm was the latest twist in the battle over Senate GOP efforts to free 10 nominated judges that the chamber's minority Democrats have blocked during Bush's first term. The Senate confirmed 204 others.

In his comments Tuesday, Byrd had defended the right senators have to use filibusters -- procedural delays that can kill an item unless 60 of the 100 senators vote to move ahead. He is a long-standing defender of the chamber's rules and traditions, many of which help the Senate's minority party.

Byrd cited Hitler's 1930s rise to power by, in part, pushing legislation through the German parliament that seemed to legitimize his ascension.

"We, unlike Nazi Germany or Mussolini's Italy, have never stopped being a nation of laws, not of men," Byrd said. "But witness how men with motives and a majority can manipulate law to cruel and unjust ends."

Byrd then quoted historian Alan Bullock, saying Hitler "turned the law inside out and made illegality legal."

Byrd added, "That is what the 'nuclear option' seeks to do."

The nuclear option is the nickname for the proposal to end filibusters of judicial nominations because of the devastating effect the plan, if enacted, would have on relations between Democrats and Republicans.

Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said Byrd's remarks showed "a profound lack of understanding as to who Hitler was" and that the senator should apologize to the American people. He called the comparison "hideous, outrageous and offensive."

"With his knowledge of history and his own personal background as a KKK member, he should be ashamed for implying that his political opponents are using Nazi tactics," said Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Byrd has repeatedly apologized for his Klan membership. Now 87 and the Senate's longest-serving member at 47 years, he prides himself on his knowledge of history and makes historical references frequently during debates.

Brooks also attacked as "disgusting" Byrd's remark that "some in the Senate are ready to callously incinerate" senators' rights to filibuster. The comment came amid several references by Byrd to the "nuclear option."

"There is no excuse for raising the specter of the Holocaust crematoria in a discussion of the Senate filibuster," Brooks said.

In my opinion, for someone not to see how Sen. Byrd's remarks (some not all) accurately describe the way this country is headed - would have to be pretty complacent.

I wonder if there are more Democrats who have Confederate Flags, or Republicans. Gee that's so hard to figure out.

That's funny coming from Rick Santorum

Because Republican rhetoric and campaigns are completely poison free, right?

I agree.

...Which is completely relevant <_<

Did you know a German government official described Bush's tactics as "Hitler-like"? (I heard it on a radio commercial)

Something Republicans can barely do considering that they still repeat the montra "we're for smaller government" when Reagan's very large government size has only been surpassed by Bush's. And guess who got it to a record low size? Clinton. Byrd can remember history but Republicans can't even remember the present.

To say that phrase was very bad judgement, and in my opinion insensitive.

Good for Sen. Byrd :clap: As a resident of the GREAT State of West Virginia I gotta say I LOVE THIS GUY! He says what he feels and stands by it! I wish more DEMOCRATS would follow suit! :good:


Ya'all have a wonderfull weekend............Andrew Paul

Thank you, West Virginia, for having given Robert Byrd to the world! I just have to say how much I have admired Sneator Byrd all my life. I really wish he could have been President! Of course, coming from West Virginia, who knows? You guys are pretty tough, having survived everything you've been put through. Say, some of the rest of us have noticed the mysterious way you guys got cut out of so much of the economic prosperity of the post-Civil War century (that wouldn't have had anything to do with your state's brave birth in an awesome act of conscience, would it?). We have also noticed how really gutsy and resourceful you all have been! And it really is a beautiiful place!

:clap: Cool!!! RAGING MODERATE :P You know, we also have another outspoken and "most excellent" Senator by the name of Jay :clap: :clap: :clap:



Yes, he could also be an excellent choice for PRES. ;)


Have a great easter.................Andrew Paul

If you are talking 2008, forget it, no way. AL GORE is the only hope, where's your loyalty??? :?:

Not to worry AGIML :) I was referring to RAGING MODERATES comment that Bob Byrd would have been a fine PRES.

I don't think Jay Rockefeller has ANY disire to run for that office...........but still it's a thought and close to my heart.

Al Gore is STILL the best for 2008.................Andrew Paul