July 24, 2006
 
Editorial: Playing Senator
 
Many political observers across West Virginia in both parties have noted U.S. Senator Robert Byrd's leftward drift in recent years, both on social issues and foreign policy. This raises the question of why Byrd has changed so much, sometimes 180 degrees, on so many of his formerly conservative positions.
 
This observation has some wondering just who we would be electing to power if Byrd gets another six-year term. One thing is for certain: it's not just Byrd. It's also Byrd's staff, particularly the ranking staffers, who may have much different agendas than the average West Virginian.
 
Therefore, it is a legitimate line of inquiry to look further into the men and women surrounding Byrd. For example, a U.S. Senator's chief of staff wields enormous power, even in the best of circumstances.
 
Byrd's capitol staff may have only the best of intentions and may be perfectly in tune with the beliefs and aspirations of most West Virginians. But while many Byrd fawners are bound to say that the Senator is "still his own man," it certainly appears that the Senator is leaning on somebody with a decidedly leftward bent lately, in issues ranging the gamut from abortion to foreign policy.
 
There must be a reason for Byrd's change over the past few years. Men in their late eighties do not usually have "Road to Damascus" experiences and change their minds on so many core convictions.
 
If those around Byrd wish to make policy, they should run themselves instead of using the famous man's reputation for their own liberal agendas.
 
Slowly but surely, West Virginia is waking up to realize that this is not their father's Oldsmobile. One can't say with a straight face that Robert Byrd has simply "grown" or "matured" in so many of his views. Rather, his voting record of late indicates an influence that has changed him 180 degrees in many respects.
 
And no radio ads from Byrd quoting scripture is going to erase this obvious shift from conservative to liberal in the Senator over the past several years.