Dems consider ousting Byrd as appropriations chair

[robcon]

Source: The Politico

"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...

...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.

His physical condition has been slowly deteriorating for years, and he cannot walk now without the assistance of aides. Byrd has difficultly running committee hearings, and he relies heavily on staffers for guidance."



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7446.html

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Byrd's not up for reelection until 2012. It seems the Senate has to do something about him.

[AndyA]

1. I can think of a few others the Dems need to replace... n/m

[crikkett]

3. Lieberman comes to mind n/t

[AndyA]

6. Yes, he does. He's real high on my list of replacements. n/m

[NMDemDist2]

2. actually "Chairman Emeritus" sounds good, he doesn't need to do the day to day

stuff and Patty could take that off his shoulders.

poor Mr. Byrd has really gotten frail since his wife died a few years back.

[Lasher]

4. Almost like they'd be doing him a favor, huh?

Wonder how Byrd feels about that.

[TheDebbieDee]

7. I just love, love, love your signature picture!

I laugh a mile a minute everytime I see it.........

[Lasher]

13. Why thank you.

Lurking Paulards don't seem to like it much.

[NMDemDist2]

12. I'm thinking he'd still have lots of imput, but the day to day chores

would be taken up by the vice-chair.

I've dealt with lots of older folks who are stubborn as hell, but once they give it up they realize how much it took out of them to fight so hard and were relieved and actually got a 'second wind' and enjoyed their lives a lot more

[LakeSamish706]

5. I agree with post #1 ... There are a hell of alot of others they need to be...

more concerned about and Reid would be one of the first that comes to mind.

[ejbr]

8. Is anyone considering ousting Pelosi? n/t

[SoFlaJet]

9. Nancy Pelosi is in the House ej

the discussion here is about the senate-one disaster at a time-and yes there are a LOT of us democrats unhappy with Mrs. Pelosi

[ejbr]

17. Sorry, she just pisses me to my core...n/t

[ananda]

10. Sheesh. Why not out Harry Reid?

Priorities you know.

[GodlessBiker]

11. Harry Reid is gay?

[CreekDog]

14. This is a red herring (typical of the Politico)

staff does most of the work anyway and everyone knows that Byrd or someone else, the delay in appropriations was because of the President, not Byrd.

Don't feed the "trolls" at Politico.

[Truth2Tell]

16. Exactly

Although I suspect this is coming from a conservative DLC Dem source, not a Republican source. This is part of an underhanded attempt to place blame for the budget cave-in on Byrd and push it away from leadership. Byrd has been a strong reliable progressive as Committee chair.

Another give away is that the piece suggests that Tom Harkin, Barbara Mikulski or Herb Kohl - the three most likely next Committee chairs - "may be controversial" as replacements to Byrd. Huh? Only controversial if you don't like progressives. Murray has good friends in high Hillary places who would love to see her in that seat.

[devilgrrl]

18. It annoys that anyone here cites politico period.

If you're going to post bullshit, stick with drudge you jerks!

[Exultant Democracy]

15. Sad that it will probably kill him, seems like all he has left these days.

Everywhere else he is a frail old man, but for a few hours a day as chairmen of the Appropriations committee he is one of the most powerful men on the planet.