Posted on 04/16/2008 2:32:28 PM PDT by jazusamo
Even though the topic on the agenda for Wednesday’s Senate Appropriations Committee hearing was Iraq war funding, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) grasped from the moment he arrived that he was the day’s most important subject — and he was ready to make his case. He arrived on time, wore a crisp suit and entered the room smiling. When he left, after two hours, “Shut up” were the only words he had for his critics. He seemed to pass the test, convincing three Senate Democratic leaders that he’s fit to continue as chairman.
Byrd knows that he is the most closely watched senator on Capitol Hill. He is aware that he’s the subject of whispers, private meetings and even a possible coup. Yet he kept his words short after chairing his first Appropriations hearing since September and being twice hospitalized this year. While many showed up to see if Byrd was up to the job, he focused on President Bush’s $108 billion supplemental funding request for the Iraq war during the hearing.
For now, his appearance seemed to staunch a flow of speculation about his ability to handle the upcoming appropriations season. Shortly after the hearing’s completion, he received the backing of the three top Democratic leaders.
In brief comments after the meeting, Byrd told reporters he is “doing fine,” laughed off a question about his health and said those who question his capacity to lead the committee should “shut up.”
Byrd’s performance was followed by comments from Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.).
“Today was a good sign,” said Schumer. “Everybody wants Sen. Byrd to recover and get back to running the Appropriations Committee.”
Durbin even lashed out at reporters, calling the attention surrounding Byrd “macabre.”
“This ought to stop. This is not fair. It really isn’t,” Durbin said. “This poor man is working himself as hard as he can, and all you can do is kind of boil the pot a little.”
Reid told reporters that he spoke recently with Byrd and that Byrd assured him that "he's feeling strong" and will be "back to his old fighting self."
"We'll wait and see how that works out,” Reid said.
what a gang of disgusting a55clowns
Are these the same clowns who insist McCain is too old?
Macabre farce indeed.
As someone else said (Wish I could take credit for it), he just needed a bit of rest. It’s tough burning the cross at both ends.
Yes but throw in Murtha with them, he has experience with senile.
Should the unthinkable happen, Byrd is third in line for the presidency right? Cheney...Pelosi...Byrd
Someone should ask Obama how he gets along with Sheets.
“Shut up,” he explained.
That’s right and it’s scary.
Who is this "everybody" that Chucky is referring to? I'd really like an answer to this question.
If that's fact, then the klan kleagle and exalted cyclops will outlive the Sun.
He's definitely outlived his welcome...
* The Vice President Dick Cheney
* Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
* President pro tempore of the Senate1 Robert Byrd
* Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
* Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson
* Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
* Attorney General Michael Mukasey
* Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne
* Secretary of Agriculture Edward T. Schafer
* Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez2
* Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao3
* Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt
* Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson
* Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters
* Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman
* Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
* Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake
* Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff
Everybody wants him to recover. Nobody wants him to get back to running the appropriations committee.
Saved....thanks.
You’re right, I doubt even many Dems want him running the committee.
Thanks for posting that, SV.
The United Senate is where the toxic treachery is mixed with senility.
That is what makes him a typical ‘rat.
Thanks for posting that. I didn’t realize he’s that bad off but last time I saw a video he didn’t look good. Him going off on rants like that should spur the Dem leadership to get him off that committee.
Ridiculous old fool - objectively true. Scary that you know that he smells, though.
The head on this pic needs to be updated! He looks very healthy in this pic.
the the POS can't reach room temperature fast enough for me...
Was his islamic son in law in the crowd cheering I wonder?
Robert Byrd: poster boy for term limits.
With all of the Federal money he has sucked into West Virginia, the least the West Virginians could do is send us all a card at Christmas.
I have two words for Sheets Byrd, and they are not “shut up”.
Yeah, sure. If given the choice, Schumer, Durbin, and many others couldn't get him buried quick enough so they could fight over who would get his cherry assignment as the head of appropriations. The Democrat Gov. of WV would appoint a Democrat to replace him, one that would go to the bottom of the ladder, and there would be nothing to lose for any of them and someone would claim the prize of his Chairmanship when the smoke cleared.
He’s clearly feeble and incompetent. I think of Strom Thurmond when he was Byrd’s age (90) back in 1993 and Thurmond still had all his faculties (not until he was about 98 was when he went downhill). There have only been, IIRC, two others to have served past 90 in the Senate besides Thurmond, and that was AZ’s Carl Trumbull and RI’ Theodore Green. Byrd served with all of them, and they were all far more competent.
I had to turn off his opening statement after the “Dead, dead, dead” foolishness because I thought I was going to throw something at the tv. He needs to be removed from any position of authority. Seeing AK’s Ted Stevens a few seats over from him (who is up for reelection this year and stands a very good chance of being beaten by a Dem if renominated) reminded me once again that these senile idiots have no business being near the halls of power. The two ought to be in a retirement home arguing over the tv clicker and whose farts smell worse.
Isn’t the average age in the Senate about 78? Its like the Supreme Court where they have the position for life.
I have no idea what the average age is but that seems a little high. There are definitely too many that have been there too long.
Yet the democrats two year long "Death Watch" on Sen. Helms and a couple others, hoping they would die and give them a majority was perfectly fine.
Must be pretty well...Obama campaigned for Sheets in 2006.
If everyone is in Washington D.C. when it gets nuked, I guess we’re on our own, huh?
Whatever publicly supported health plan the Sinators have is clearly too much. It in no way reflects the level of care the commoner will have when we are shackled with womb to the tomb socialized medicine and restricted from seeking private practice providers.
Term limits are necessary.
Sorry, Senator, I’d prefer to believe my lying eyes, thanks very much.
Bob Byrd is not a well man. It’s not a partisan smear, it’s not even just my opinion, it’s the simple, observable truth. It’s time for him to retire before God retires him.
Exactly, Byrd should retire. It would be best for him, the senate and our country.
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