The 2006 battle for political power in Washington, D.C. is already underway.  The following e-mail from liberal political action group MoveOn.org shows just how vulnerable some of the major Senate Democrats are in the upcoming elections. 

One such man is 87-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV).  He has been a staunch Bush hater since our president came to office in 2000 and MoveOn.org correctly labels him as a target of Republicans in 2006. 

Even Senate rookie Barrack Obama (D-IL) is trying to help poor Sen. Byrd hang on to his fledgling seat in the U.S. Senate with his attached letter.  But Byrd and other aging Senate Democrats are a part of a dying breed in Washington. 

It seems that Byrd will soon find out (just as former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) did in 2004) that obstructionist tactics and vitriol hatred of Bush and anything Republican will not lead to reelection. 

And that's exactly why MoveOn.org is worried that Byrd will fly away after the 2006 election.  It could and probably will happen as the American people continue to chip away at what used to be a Democratic stronghold on the legislative branch of the federal government.  Thanks to newly informed and consciencious voters, those days are over now.

So who else are Republicans targeting in 2006?  Feinstein.  Kennedy. Nelson.  Among others.  Stay tuned.

HERE'S THE E-MAIL FROM MOVEON:

A Message about Senator
Robert Byrd from Barack Obama

"Senator Robert Byrd has spoken out passionately against a Bush foreign policy that has alienated our allies throughout the world. Today, he is fighting an attempt by Republicans to ram federal judges through the Senate. . . In 2006, Senator Byrd will be the target of Republicans because he stands up for what he believes. Will you join me in supporting Senator Byrd's campaign for re-election, before a critical deadline this Thursday?"

— Senator Barack Obama

Dear MoveOn member,

Below, I've attached a note from Senator Barack Obama about the key moment Senator Robert Byrd faces in the next few days. But before we get to the note, here's why Senator Byrd is so important to us:

Two and a half years ago, when Congress was voting on the use of force against Iraq, Senator Byrd from West Virginia stood on the Senate floor and delivered a fiery speech. He told his colleagues that, "I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation which is over 50% children is 'in the highest moral traditions of our country.' This war is not necessary at this time." For those of us who opposed the war, he became a hero. And he's remained one, on many issues: just last week, Senator Byrd joined us at a MoveOn PAC rally to make a passionate appeal against the Republican plan to seize total control of judicial nominations in the Senate.

Now the senator needs our help. He's up for re-election in 2006. Because of his courageous stands, Republicans in the Senate have made him a primary target. They're already raising money to defeat him. And a critical deadline is coming up: on March 31st, Senator Byrd will report his campaign expenses to the FEC. He needs to show the press and public that he's got strong support.

Can you chip in now to support Senator Byrd?

You can give online at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/byrd.html?id=5282-3010668-UrecuybJM29qklnkWzqjOw

Thank you for everything you do,

--Eli Pariser
  MoveOn PAC
  Tuesday, March 29th, 2005

Here's a letter from Senator Barack Obama:

Dear MoveOn member,

I'm writing today about a senator who needs your urgent support. Senator Robert Byrd was one of the first senators I met with when I came to the Senate 3 months ago. Senator Byrd understands the history, the importance and the role Senate plays in our government--at 87 years old, he's the most senior senator.

He has spoken out passionately against a Bush foreign policy that has alienated our allies throughout the world. Today, he is fighting an attempt by Republicans to change the 200-year old rules of the Senate that would allow Republicans to ram federal judges through the Senate with no regard for what others might say. Above all, Robert Byrd understands just how sacred the Constitution of our country truly is and fights every day to protect it.

Now he needs our help. In 2006, Senator Byrd will be the target of Republicans because he stands up for what he believes.

I want to be sure Robert Byrd is here fighting for us in the Senate. Will you join me in supporting his campaign for re-election, before a critical deadline this Thursday?

You can give online at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/byrd.html?id=5282-3010668-UrecuybJM29qklnkWzqjOw

I hope you will give generously to help send Robert Byrd back to the Senate for another term to fight for the Constitution and the freedom of speech we all enjoy.

I don't have to tell you how important every Senate seat is right now. Just last week, the Senate voted 51-49 to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling and Republicans now threaten even more drastic measures such as privatizing Social Security.

Last fall, I had the privilege to write and ask your help to support candidates and help us take back the U.S. Senate. And your response was nothing short of amazing--you raised more than $1 million for seven Senate candidates, providing them with much-needed resources at the end of their campaigns. I'm happy to be part of these efforts again.

A Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate would mean a real change in the priorities of Washington, but more importantly, it would provide significant change for everyday people across America.

Remember, in order to win back the Senate majority, we need Robert Byrd.

The work you do is extremely important--you and millions of others, working through MoveOn, have helped change the way politics works in this country. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.