STATE REPUBLICAN CHAIR CALLS BYRD "Old, Out Of Touch Man"

(02/17/2004)
Kris Warner, the chairman of the state Republican Party, says West Virginia voters view US Senator Robert C. Byrd as an "old, out of touch man" because he opposes President Bush's foreign and domestic policies.

Warner says the Bush administration is in line with average West Virginians on issues like tax cuts and the Iraq war.

Warner later back-pedaled his comments, but says he stands by his contention that Senator Byrd is largely out of touch with most West Virginians, especially regarding Iraq, and that the 'anybody but Bush' mentality is taking over some of the Democratic leadership.

Byrd has said the best thing for America and for the country would be for the president to be given a one-way ticket back to his ranch in Crawford, Texas.