To Form a More Perfect Union
Barack Obama, in his powerful speech on race relations given in Philadelphia on March 18, said, "Working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and ... in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union."
Gromer Jeffers, in The Dallas Morning News Trailblazers blog, marks Byrd's endorsement of Obama by recalling his days in the Ku Klux Klan and declaring the times they are a-changin'. Whereas Byrd's endorsement will have little impact on the outcome of the race for the Democratic nomination, it is heavy with symbolism of the progress our country is making towards a more perfect union. These quotes from Byrd's long career show just far one man, and our country, has come in this Senator's long political career:
"Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled
in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours
become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen
from the wilds."
Robert C. Byrd, 1945
"I know now I was wrong. Intolerance had no place in America. I
apologized a thousand times... and I don't mind apologizing over and
over again. I can't erase what happened."
Robert C. Byrd, 2005
"Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he
has my full faith and support."
Robert C. Byrd, 2008
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