Is Byrd About To Be Promoted Into Oblivion?
If Politico is correct, it appears that the Democrats are looking to oust Senator Byrd from his position as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee:
A group of Senate Democrats has begun quietly exploring ways to replace the venerable Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, believing he’s no longer physically up to the job, according to Democratic senators and leadership aides familiar with the discussions.
Under one scenario being circulated in Democratic circles, the 90-year-old Byrd would be named “chairman emeritus,” and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) would become “acting chairwoman” for the remainder of the 110th Congress.Democratic insiders caution, though, that no decision has been made.
But there is broad discontent among committee members over the way Byrd has run the panel this year and the resulting problems in completing work on the fiscal 2008 spending bills, leading some members to privately push for Byrd’s replacement as chairman.
I happen to think that the Democrats do need to do this. I have long said that age limits should be placed on Senators and Congresspeople. Republicans should have gotten rid of Thurmond. Instead, they walked him into the chamber, literally held him up when necessary, and did his work for him. Byrd is 90 years old..thanks for your service, now go enjoy retirement.
Captain Ed points out a minor problem with Patty Murray as Byrd’s replacement:
The heir apparent, Patty Murray, may be more capable than Byrd, but she’s also the same Senator that extolled Osama bin Laden’s support for education — a poor choice for a spotlight leadership position, especially in an election year.
December 18, 2007 - 09:44 AM on December 18th, 2007
Byrd won’t let go of the pork barrel he has ownership of. The entire Federal Government hasn’t been moved to West Virginia yet, and that is Byrd’s goal.
Patty Murray should be expelled from the Senate if not tried for treason.
December 18, 2007 - 09:49 AM on December 18th, 2007
Imagine the nerve of these Democrites, trying to undermine their old KKK buddy! So Byrd isn’t competent anymore? Who among leading Democrats is competent, let alone honest and for America?
December 18, 2007 - 02:17 PM on December 18th, 2007
The political graveyard is full of the bones of people who have under-estimated Robert Byrd. Rush on in, fools…..