It amazes me how people still condem Byrd for a very old action that he has long since denounced. In fact when he denounced the Klan early in his political career, it was an act that almost got him defeated. He has never hidden this from anyone, not like Trent Lott who's slip of the tounge betrayed his true feelings and was followed that up with deny/deny. Anyways I never liked Byrd that much but come on his Klan membership ended in the 40s.
As for holding Condi's appointment - the Dems have only one way to voice it's opposition in the Senate and thats to screw with procedure - it gives them a platform in which to speak to the American people as any good opposition should. Rice has made some incredibly stupid statements over the last 4 years as needs to be held accountable. Mind you if the Dems push it much further than today they risk looking petty - so Rice gets the nod at the end of today.
