Trent did this.
Frankly he besmirched the memory of Thurmond, who in his 100 years travelled and changed as much as Byrd, in many ways.
To focus a man's 100 year legacy only onto the evil he did when he has demonstrated he moved past it, is to hurt that person.
Trent did that.
The damage he has done to his legacy and the party he serves is substantial.
He may get past it, but my guess is he will serve a bit more as leader and then move on to a much lower profile.
But I also know he is a man of strong character and he may favorably surprise many.
As someone who grew up in the south and who has seen first hand the evil and corrosive effects of the racist culture that was institutionalized here, what he said deeply offends me.
As someone who has known Trent for many years, I am deeply disappointed in him for this. I don't think his public record reflects what he said.
I hope the strength of his character surprises me as favorably as his very poor choice of words offended.
Ed