BYRD: "he wasn't prepared to be president" (Salon Interview)

[nostamj]

In your book, you write that Bush doesn't have the character to run the country, or at least that's the impression I drew. Can you explain?

I'm thinking about the word "character." I would not use that word; it can mean different things. I would say that he wasn't prepared to be president. I would say that he has hurt this country's image, or our character -- I will use the word in this context -- as a nation. Are we honest? Do we use information from the government to the people in a way that twists it differently from reality? He has hurt this nation's character.

I know that he is appealing to various religious groups. That's all right. But the character of this country is not what it was when this administration came to office. Why do I say that? It has misused information. It has acted secretively, time and time again. The White House has tried to operate, and has operated, in a very secretive way. That hurts the character of the country. And this administration, it seems to me, tries to intimidate anybody who criticizes it. I have particularly taken notice of the Senate: It is cowed.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/07/24/senator_byrd/index.html

[papau]

1. Clear, truthful, concise - I wish our media editorial writers had his

talent and courage.

[Meldread]

2. While I respect Byrd...

While I respect Byrd for his stance on the Iraq War, he has left a bad taste in my mouth after he voted to support the Federal Marriage Amendment, and probably the Marriage Protection Act of 2004 as well. He has a horrible record on gay issues, and you would think he would have learned his lesson dealing with discrimination after he ended his association with the KKK.

As a gay man it is hard to support Senator Byrd, and I hope that one day he comes around and stops being so anti-gay.

[nostamj]

3. i agree

but, he didn't vote FOR the amendment and it's my understanding that he would not vote for it. this was a 'procedural' vote.

he's still one of the most eloquent critics of all things bush*

[goclark]

4. He does disappoint me in this area

However, if his point of view about BUSH can get out to Seniors and others maybe we can work to get BUSH out of the WH. Right now,because of BUSH, not Byrd, we have a Congress with a rope around its neck.

With BUSH and his crooks IN, we will never get justice for gay rights.

I'm with you all the way.