posted 06-28-2010 08:30 PM                  

Monday, June 28, 2010

How Two Veteran Senators Were Portrayed at Their Death | Special Report

With: Bret Baier

Historical Perspective

Two late senators with controversial histories on the issue of race were given different treatment in news stories following their deaths.

The New York Times headline on Monday read, "Robert Byrd -- Respected Voice of the Senate-- Dies at 92."

Back in 2003, The Times' obituary for another senator read -- "Strom Thurmond -- Foe of Integration -- Dies at 100."

The Associated Press lead today did not mention Byrd's past membership in the Ku Klux Klan, or his opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The West Virginia Democrat later renounced his actions in both cases.

The AP lead for Thurmond in 2003 referred to the South Carolina Republican as a "one-time Democratic segregationist." Thurmond later moderated his position on race.