Apparently, Robert Byrd is feeling the heat.

Today, WV Blogger and Charleston Daily Mail columnist Don Surber noted that the Republican National Senatorial Committee has determined that the usually safe Byrd seat is in play, and launched a statewide commercial (backup here)aimed at softening Byrd’s support in anticipation of fielding a viable Republican candidate in 2006.

Byrd’s expected opposition, Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, was recently trailing Byrd by only 46-43 in a statewide poll. While other polls gave Byrd a much more comfortable lead, as a WV native and lifelong resident, I can tell you, this is a big deal.

Recently, Sen. Byrd has moved to reposition himself as more moderate, signaling tepid support and singing the praises for Bush’s SCOTUS nominee, John Roberts, joining the so-called “Gang of 14,” and stepping up his fundriasing activites (with a little help from some friends, including freshman Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill)).

As the state has gone GOP in the last two Presidential elections, this is not surprising. However, the most telling statement about Byrd’s vulnerability might be this latest action by some of Sen. Byrd’s ‘friends’:

The National Republican Senatorial Committee plans to inaugurate its 2006 advertising campaign today with a West Virginia spot accusing Democratic Sen. Robert C. Byrd, who is up for reelection next year, of having grown too liberal for the Mountain State.

"We all agree he's changed," the ad said. "But is it good for West Virginia?"

Republicans said they believe they have a shot at finally knocking off the longtime senator, pointing out that President Bush twice won the state, the last time by 13 percentage points. The GOP has not settled on a candidate but is hoping that Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) will run.

Byrd, 87, hasn't taken less than 60 percent of the vote since Dwight D. Eisenhower was in office. Byrd has not announced whether he will run for what would be his ninth term, but spokesman Tom Gavin said the lawmaker has "every intention" of seeking reelection.