Byrd was Democratic leader of the Senate from 1977-1988

[WI_DEM]

He was Senate Majority Leader from 1977-1981
Senate Majority Leader from 1981-1987
and Majority Leader again from 1987-1988.

My question, How effective was he? He is such a wonderful statesman of the Senate now--was he this eloquent and effective when he was leader of the Democrats in the Senate?

[w4rma]

1. I didn't know that. Big media never mentions that he'd been Senate leader

for 11 years during Carter and Reagan. But they *always* mention a certain negative aspect about his life from over 50 years ago.

[liberalpragmatist]

2. You mean MINority leader 1981-1987

nt

[dsc]

3. It has been a long time ago but I think he was reasonably effective

He was horrible on gay issues though and not good at all on the enviroment. He was very good at stopping judges and other outrages that Reagan tried to accomplish.