Aug. 6, 2006
 
Editorial: On the Subject of Byrd’s Aides: Tom Gavin
 
While it is true that the incumbent on the ballot this year for U.S. Senator is Robert C. Byrd, it is equally true that Byrd would be nowhere without his top staff. One staffer who has zoomed to the top of the heap in Byrd's office is Tom Gavin. According to those who have known him a bit in times past, Gavin is reasonably bright, ambitious, and more liberal than most West Virginians in either party.
 
This should come as no surprise. Many young liberals in D.C. who don't have the money to run themselves for office don't hesitate to gain a measure of power by being closely associated with a powerful individual. So Gavin is run of the mill in this respect.
 
What is notable is his extraordinary influence in Byrd's office, gained over years of the Senator's trust in him. How so?
 
After working for John Raese's West Virginia Radio Corporation -- yes, that's right, Byrd's opponent's company -- Gavin got a job as press secretary for Byrd and within just a few years was entrusted by Byrd with the most delicate and important of staffing assignments: Chief of Staff.
 
The Chief of Staff in a Senator's office not only helps hire staff, but they also have a lot to do in helping the Senator craft policy positions.
 
Even more important in this most key of positions is that Gavin is entrusted with knowing all of the Senator's secrets, weak spots, and other vulnerabilities. He has to know everything about the Senator in order to fend off criticism, to anticipate the opponent's next move during election time.
 
The only problem Gavin faces this year is that his influence on Byrd's policy decisions, drawing the Senator ever more to the left of his constituents back home, makes the job of getting his man re-elected this year somewhat more problematic.
 
Have you ever had that nightmarish situation where what you did so freely last week or last night has repercussions later? The man you were then has made life difficult on the man you are now.
 
Such may be the fate of Tom Gavin, who has enjoyed a great deal of power at an early age.