Byrd 'seriously ill'

Politico ^ | 06/27/2010 | JOHN BRESNAHAN

[OldDeckHand]

Sen. Robert Byrd, the longest serving senator in U.S. history, is in serious condition in a Washington area hospital, according to aides to the West Virginia Democrat.

According to a statement from Byrd’s staff released Sunday afternoon, the senator “was admitted to the hospital late last week suffering from what was believed to be heat exhaustion and severe dehydration as a result of the extreme temperatures. He was expected to remain in the hospital not more than a few days.”

The statement added: “However, upon further examination by his doctors, other conditions have developed which has resulted in his condition being described as ‘serious.’”

Byrd’s office did not say which hospital he was in, although Byrd’s doctors described his condition as “seriously ill.”

[OldDeckHand]

While of course I hope for the best possible outcome for the current Sr. Senator from West Virginia, and former Klansman, I can't help but wonder what the replacement protocol is in WV. Is it gubernatorial selection, or special election, just in case, of course.

[GeronL]

He is 92 years old. A cool draft could kill him at this point.

[buccaneer81]

heat exhaustion and severe dehydration as a result of the extreme temperatures.

He's too stupid to stay inside with the A/C? No shock from a 'Rat Klansman...

[snarkbait]

Um.. Boo Hoo?

[johnthebaptistmoore]

No mention of his KKK history. Oh! He’s a Democrat.

[jospehm20]

He’ll be hard to replace. There are not too many KKK politicians available today.

[Clintonfatigued]

I’m no fan of Byrd, but I hope he gets better. He really should have retired.

[Pontiac]

If Byrd is unable to complete his term, under West Virginia law, Gov. Joe Manchin (D) would appoint his replacement. That person would finish Byrd's Senate term, which ends in 2012.

From the article

[MattinNJ]

I am hoping West Virginia continues their Republican trend and gets two GOP senators.

[buccaneer81]

If he kicks, one of these two losers becomes fourth in line...

Daniel Inouye of Hawaii or Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

[pallis]

He has the best healthcare taxpayer money can buy.

[Reily]

Where's the other one coming from? (Assuming this opening leads to a GOP’er!)

[oldbill]

Governor appoints interim, and an election (depending on time window) is held for the rest of the term, depending on the timing.

WV is a rare blue state turning red. It would have done it sooner except for the pork brought in by Byrd and to a lesser extent, Rockefeller, who is as dumb as dirt and would have been a nobody if he didn’t come out of the right womb.

[politicalmerc]

I'll light a cross for him.

I mean a CANDLE FOR HIM.

Sorry.

[upchuck]

Prayers for Senator Byrd. Although I must say he should have retired 10 years or so ago.

[Farmer Dean]

Don’t worry,there are plenty of redneck racist a-holes in the Democrat party.Finding a like-minded POS will be easy for them to do.

[fwdude]

The white bedsheets will be apropos.

[OldDeckHand]

Thanks. I actually did not see that last paragraph.

[oldbill]

In Byrd’s case, the timing for the election would be 2012.

[FrdmLvr]

At 92, my grandpa beat up a guy in the nursing home for calling him a son-of-bitch...my grandpa said the guy insulted his mother.