Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

nkpolitics1212

(8,617 posts)
Thu Oct 21, 2021, 02:03 PM Oct 2021

What type of US Senators were Byrd and Rockefeller?

Were they right of center or left of center Democratic US Senators of WV?
Byrd and Rockefeller probably would have gotten re-elected in 2012,2014,and 2020. Byrd would be death before the 2018 election. Byrd and Rockefeller did not have to behave like Republicans in order to get re-elected.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

viva la

(3,785 posts)
1. Byrd was the 'king of pork"
Thu Oct 21, 2021, 02:15 PM
Oct 2021

Always getting federal $ for his state. I remember he managed to get a big FBI branch moved there, and it was considered quite a coup, as it was completely the wrong place to have a bunch of pre-internet law enforcement agents. But no matter how much tax money he funneled into WV, it stayed quite poor. He was pretty beloved, I think-- centrist, but more about shovelling pork than progressive politics. Dealing as he did with a very poor state, he was able to support LBJ's progressive policies because back then, poor white people voted for those who helped them out (rather than for, you know, McConnell).

Rockefeller was pretty weird-- rich family, New Yorker, elite, uncle was GOP vp, another uncle was GOP governor. But he was well-liked, as I recall. Back then, the mineworkers union (though often horrifically corrupt) was quite powerful and tended Democratic.

Byrd (good ol' boy) might get elected now, but I don't know about Rockefeller. He was kind of a moderate corporate-style Democrat, but back then, that brought labor support.

nkpolitics1212

(8,617 posts)
4. Here are the Democratic US Senators from wjc and djt states.
Thu Oct 21, 2021, 02:40 PM
Oct 2021

AR-Dale Bumpers and David Pryor(Mark’s father) would not get re-elected in 2010. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor lost re-election badly in 2010 and 2014.
LA- Bennett Johnston and John Breaux.

doc03

(36,713 posts)
3. I liked Byrd he saved our jobs by getting our company
Thu Oct 21, 2021, 02:28 PM
Oct 2021

a guaranteed loan to build a new electric arc furnace. The company paid back 100% of the loan. The furnace is actually located on the other side of the Ohio River in Ohio. I believe he had the headquarters for the Coast Guard built in landlocked WV??????

nkpolitics1212

(8,617 posts)
6. I brought up Byrd and Rockefeller to let you know that
Thu Oct 21, 2021, 02:43 PM
Oct 2021

these men were much better US Senators than Joe Manchin.

doc03

(36,713 posts)
7. Both were far better than what they have now. The
Thu Oct 21, 2021, 02:46 PM
Oct 2021

Republicans always tagged Senator Byrd with Robert KKK
Byrd now they support the KKK themselves.

Walleye

(35,774 posts)
5. I think the political right and left are terms that no longer apply
Thu Oct 21, 2021, 02:43 PM
Oct 2021

We’re at the point where we are divided into right and wrong, truth and fantasy, moral and immoral ethical and on ethical. Not right and left, we can fight that out after we solve this

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Democrats»What type of US Senators ...