Ex-Klansman + Obama: Strange Political Bedfellows

So this is on the record. It's not a hoax, like the Klan's fictional support of Barack Obama we saw earlier this year.

Apologetic KKK alumni Sen. Robert Byrd has endorsed Barack Obama, saying:

I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and to lead our nation at this challenging time in history.

Byrd has long since apologized -- and been forgiven -- for his past membership in the Ku Klux Klan and opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. But, how one "apologizes" for being a recovering racist and member of an American terrorist organization is beyond understanding. Obama's cool with it. So there you have it.

Indeed, armed with a letter signed by Obama, Moveon.org Political Action Committee was the top contributor to Byrd's 2006 reelection campaign. Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows.

In his announcement, Byrd pointedly made note that Obama is a "noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian." This will help lay to rest rumors that Obama is a Muslim. Additionally, Byrd's endorsement should help Obama pull some additional votes in today's primary in Kentucky, which borders West Virginia.

Obama will need all the help he can get in the Bluegrass State, where Hillary Clinton has a commanding lead. He attributes his expected loss to FOX News and a misinformation campaign:

Part of it is because there have been these e-mails that have been sent out very systematically, presumably by various political opponents, although I don't know who. And there are a lot of voters who get their news from Fox News. Fox has been pumping up rumors about my religious beliefs or my patriotism or what have you since the beginning of the campaign.

Obama will likely swing and miss in the home of the Louisville Slugger, he is expected to hit a homerun in Oregon, where 75,000 turned out for a campaign rally at Portland's Waterfront Park. Byrd gets zero credit for this.

Another primary day, another split decision.