Comments on: Democrats May Push Byrd From Chairmanship

By: Don

Don — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:50:56 +0000

The next thing you know, they'll be
Liebermanizing him!

By: Byrd to be pushed out? | BitsBlog

Byrd to be pushed out? | BitsBlog — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:01:44 +0000

[...] ----James Joyner: Robert Byrd has been in the United States Senate since 1959, well before I was born, and has paved over the state of West Virginia with federal highways and monuments to himself. Now, though, his colleagues are trying to push him aside. Democrats May Push Byrd From Chairmanship Senate Dems are quietly exploring ways to replace venerable Robert Byrd as chairman of Appropriations Committee. Photo: AP 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. [...]

By: floyd

floyd — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:34:39 +0000

James;
"Geriocracy" has a nice ring to it, but what do ya think of combining your term with McGehee's to come up with "GERIATRIC PARK"
Now, does conjure up images or WHAT??

By: McGehee

McGehee — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:29:03 +0000

Knowing the GOP couldn't get rid of Ted Stevens without authorizing a tactical nuclear strike on his office, Democrats are looking to embarrass them and maybe -- just maybe -- rid themselves of their own Jurassic Pork.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:54:53 +0000

Two things: First, democrats are racists and want to keep fellow former klansman racist Byrd in power as long as possible. Racists love other racists so why not? Plus, dems have done great at their goal of keeping the black population down, with Byrd playing a major role. How would it look getting rid of one of their longtime leaders?

Secondly, Byrd is too feeble and decrepit to be effective. Much like the congressional democrats in this recent year of power. Why give up on their chairman?

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:35:58 +0000

A mandatory retirement age would be ... legally dubious....

Right, it'd have to be done by Constitutional amendment - a statute or rule would fall afoul of Powell v. McCormack.

By: DavidL

DavidL — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:35:11 +0000

If the elected senator from West Virgina, Bobby Byrd, is not running the Senate Finance Committee then just who is? Do have a representative republic form of goverment, or not.

Don't expect Dirty Harry Reid to take any action. Better to uphold the tradition and comity of the Senate thnn actually function to do the People's business.

By: vnjagvet

vnjagvet — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:13:26 +0000

A quick reaction:

This is a trial balloon that is not going to happen. Byrd is at least as sharp as centenarian Thurman was, and managed to retain his chairmanship.

By: Bithead

Bithead — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:25:05 +0000

Look, let's call this what it is.
Byrd is a man whose party wants to move even farther left than he's been infamous for doing, and they'll find it hard indeed to do with him still in place,particularly after they've spent the last 20 years lionizing him.

By: Richard Gardner

Richard Gardner — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:17:35 +0000

However, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) states she knows nothing about this,

Sen. Patty Murray is denying a published report that she and other Democrats are looking to replace West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. The Politico newspaper reported Tuesday that under one scenario being considered, the 90-year-old Byrd would be named "chairman emeritus," and Murray, D-Wash., would become "acting chairwoman" as soon as next month. The Washington, D.C.-based newspaper said some Democrats believe Byrd is no longer physically up to the job. Murray, a member of the Senate Democratic leadership, denied any plan to replace Byrd, adding that she has not been approached by any colleague with such a proposal. "As far as I'm concerned, there is no truth to this story," Murray said Tuesday. "I will continue to work with Chairman Byrd and other members of leadership to pass spending bills that reflect the priorities of the American people."

Despite the denial this could be an interesting one to watch over the next month. I doubt Sen Murray would pass up on the opportunity to become Chairwoman.