I like Senator Byrd... But..

[JeremyWestenn]

He's 90 years old. I think it's time he throw in the towel either during this term or, certainly, after it. I think he's done a great service, and he is a great man that's made up for his wrongs(I.E. his racist past), but he certainly is reaching that limit. Does it kinda make anyone else pause when someone is this old and still in office? Senator Helsm comes to mind. That mans in diapers now and I couldn't think of a better way for him to be sent off.

Edit: Most of us were probably watching the House coverage on C-span but I forgot to say that after he got sworn in he nearly collapsed I heard.

[Monkeyman]

1. Yep

[MADem]

2. I like him. He waves his Constitution and yells at his colleagues to not forget about it.

More of them should do the same. After all, that is the document that Porgie said "Fuck the constitution, stop throwing it in my face--it's just a goddamned piece of paper" or words to that effect. Porgie would as soon wipe his ass on it as read it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmc60JmaLbE

Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Olbermann interviews Jonathan Turley a constitutional law expert who rips Bush a new asshole, pointing out how many of his cronies are former criminals who have no respect for the law or the Constitution of the United States

Byrd's wife is dead. If he goes home, he dies. I would like to keep him on for awhile yet, I don't care how old he is. Even if he falls asleep every now and again, it's what he says while he is awake that is important...

[pacalo]

10. Sweet perspective & I agree.

[ReadTomPaine]

13. I like Byrd as well, there's a place for him yet even at 90.

In fact, it's his later years as a lawmaker that are his brightest moments and have helped to cleanse the marks on his record from the 60's and before. His current stature as a statesman is largely due to his actions in this late stage of his life, and in a way make these his best years in politics.

[keopeli]

3. It's about so much more than just that he's falling down and frail.

He can't help that he's aging and, as long as he chooses to serve, we have a secure voice in Congress and the wisdom of age. Byrd has been around a long, long time. All that knowledge is still there. There will be others to take his place when the time comes. But, today, he's being a hero.

Peace.

[Webster Green]

4. I like it when he whips out his copy of the constitution..

He makes a lot more sense than most senators do.

Hope he's in the Senate till he passes on. :patriot:

[Monkeyman]

5. Yep

[JeremyWestenn]

6. I do like him a lot though!

I suppose I'm quite concerned about his health more then anything. I don't wish him gone or whatnot, I'm happy for him. Not many people get to live a life as full as that!

And I love that comment! He can fall asleep every now and then, it's what he says while he's awake that's important! lol!

[ellisonz]

7. Byrd is healthier than Thurmond or Helms.

He's still fully capable of doing his job and I think you need to read the news write up about the "collapse."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3041900

[JeremyWestenn]

8. Seems to say he collpased. Was he just light headed or stood up to long? NT

[ellisonz]

18. He's old.

But he was sure having fun...and I'm sure has excellent medical care.

[seriousstan]

9. Byrd is the king of pork. Every road,building and bush in WV is named Byrd.

[JeremyWestenn]

11. Call me a noob but what on earth is pork? Sounds like food to me. nt

[tkmorris]

14. OK, you're a noob

To answer your question though, pork is riders and other add-ons attached to bills they usually have nothing to do with, which fund projects in the Senator's home state. The Senate is famous for this sort of thing, and being able to get your state's pet projects the federal funding needed through this sort of tactic is what gets you re-elected oftentimes, even if you're an ass.

Lieberman won his seat over Lamont because of all the pork he brings home to Connecticut, I am certain of it.

[MADem]

15. He brings home the bacon, and that is good for his state

They return him every six years because he gets results.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. Thats up to his constituents to decide and I doubt that he'll run after this term

[BlueStater]

16. The man loves his job

If I'm ever fortunate enough to live as long as he has, I hope my life continues to be active as it possibly can.

[donheld]

17. Can't disagree with you

I love him too, but there comes a time when it's time to kick back and take a rest. I can't understand working right till you're on deaths door. Especially when you have plenty of money.

[JeremyWestenn]

19. Someone mentioned...

That his wife is gone and if he went home he'd probably die soon to. I hate to say something like that, or agree with something like that seeing as how I do not know the man but I think this is an ingrained part of his life. It is my belief that Senator Byrd will die in office. Power to him if that's how he'd like to go.

Just not happy about his FMA vote... :(

[donheld]

26. I hear ya, I'm certainly not happy with that and a few other votes of his

Some people just would rather work. They wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they didn't. It gives them a reason for living.

[Rhythm]

20. i suspect he'll retire after the '08 election, once the Dems hold the White House again.

WV will likely have Dem governors for a decade or more to come (the occasional Repug always turns out to be corrupt, and never gets a second term), so there will be a Dem in the Gov's mansion to appoint his replacement.

Who that replacement might be remains to be seen... I can see Alan Mollohan (WV 1st) being picked to serve the remainder of Byrd's term, but whether or not he could carry the rest of the state in an election remains to be seen. He'd stand a better chance than the other Dem House rep (Rayhall- WV 3rd), or the Repug in the 2nd dist (Capito), either.

[Lasher]

21. Senator Byrd coasted to re-election in a state that went for Junior twice

If he had decided not to run for re-election, a Republican - probably Shelly Moore Capito - would likely have taken his place. In that case you would not have just enjoyed watching a Democratic takeover in the Senate. If Byrd dies while in office a replacement will be chosen by Democratic Governor Joe Manchin.

Physically he is frail but not as much as you might think. His participation in his re-election campaign was quite vigorous. Mentally he is still sharp as a tack. About a year ago he had a 1 on 1 debate on the Senate floor with Catkiller, who left the chamber with his tail between his legs. This prompted Byrd, who was still delivering a rebuttal, to say, "Where is my adversary?"

Every single one of you should be grateful he chose to continue serving.

[Rhythm]

22. the fact that Byrd WAS running is why Capito didn't...

She knew that she didn't stand a chance, and the Repugs knew better than to dump a lot of cash on a race they couldn't hope to win. Fine with me of Raese wanted to waste some of the family fortune on a pointless enterprise.

Hi down there, btw... Morgantown bids you good morning!

[Lasher]

24. Good morning!

Are the couches still ablaze?

[flordehinojos]

23. my father is 97 years old, and he still works, drives himself to the grocery store,

washes his clothes, fixes his dinner (if he doesn't like what is being served at his ACLF) and generally doesn't seem to be ready to give up on life yet.

why should senator byrd give up on his life, just because his pace may be slower, his speech sometimes age old slurred but always to the point, or because he may be in need of one aide or two to keep him on track?

the pope kept at it until just scant hours before his death. i think itwas two or three days before his death he was blessing people from his window either at the hospital or from the papal residency in rome.

my son knows a 94 year old woman who goes to church and is part of a prayer group.

and ... arthur rubinstein was playing the piano and living his life, even if with the help of aides, until he was well into his 90s.

come on people ... what if it is the fate of anyone of us to live well into very advanced years. should we give up on life just because ..... ?

[Poll_Blind]

25. Byrd is more eloquent than Harlan Ellison in a maudlin mood. n/t

PB