Late Wednesday, Sen. Byrd announced his decision to put the brakes on Dr. Rice's confirmation, complaining through his spokesman: "The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has held two days of hearings. Senators should have a chance to review those hearings, read the transcripts, and think about their votes before casting them."

The Senate's Democratic leadership quickly fell in line behind the former Klansman's move, angering their Republican colleagues.

"If this is the kind of comity we can expect for the rest of the session, we are not getting off to a good start," Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona told the New York Times. "It is churlish."

Sen. John Warner echoed the sentiment, saying, "You want continuity in this country, and this is a senior Cabinet minister. This didn't win them any merit badges."

On Saturday the New York Post blasted Sen. Byrd, openly questioning whether the former member of the anti-black terrorist group was motivated by racism.

"They say a leopard can't change its spots," the paper editorialized. "Can a one-time Klansman change his, umm, sheets? The way Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W. Va.) acted this week, it's fair to ask."

Read more about Sen. Byrd's 60-year history of antipathy toward African-Americans.

Editor's note: