Sen. Byrd released from hospital

[SpartanDem]

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) was released from the hospital Thursday following a 48-hour stay for observation.

Byrd was taken to the hospital Tuesday after a fall at his Northern Virginia home.

The longest-serving senator in U.S. history was treated for a spike in his white blood-cell count, as a precaution against infection. A staph infection caused the senator to be hospitalized for several months this past spring.

A statement from Byrd's office said the senator will continue receiving antibiotic treatments and recover at his home.

The statement quoted Byrd, 91, saying he is "looking forward to engaging in the upcoming debate and votes on healthcare reform — one of the most critical issues facing this Congress."

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/60203-sen-byrd-released-from-hospital

At this point I'm favor of the party putting the guy in a bubble, whatever it take to make sure we have 60 votes.

[tekisui]

1. I am glad he is out.

He should resign.

[global1]

3. What Happens In WV If He Resigns Or Passes.........

how do they fill his seat? Fortunately the Gov of WV is a Dem - but does the Gov appoint or do they have to hold an election?

And if I was Byrd - I wouldn't shake hands with or take anything from any Repug. They probably are trying to pass some bacteria to him knowing that his immune system isn't very robust.

[Staph]

6. When a Senate seat is vacated in West Virginia,

the governor names a replacement, and then the seat goes up for election during the next Federal election.

The current governor is Joe Manchin, who would dearly like the seat for himself. His term is up in 2012, as is Senator Byrd's.

If Byrd's seat must be filled before 2012, and the new election held in 2010, the Republican candidate will be Shelley Moore Capito, currently the Republican Congresswoman from West Virginia's second district. And the odds are very high in her favor that she will win that seat.

So stop trying to force Robert Byrd out of office! It drives most of us West Virginians crazy, because we don't want Shelley Moore (my daddy was governor for eight years and then spent three years in the federal penitentiary for accepting bribes) Capito as our next senator.

[sabbat hunter]

9. can the governor

nominate himself to fill the senate seat, then resign as governor?

[Cha]

2. Bless his heart for hangin'

in there.

[Muttocracy]

5. yes,

agreed

[mgcgulfcoast]

4. i will pray for him!

[rasputin1952]

7. Glad to see he's out...

at 91, an infection by almost anything can bring on pneumonia, and that would not be good at all.

[bigwillq]

8. When is he going to retire?

If I were 91, first of all, I would've been pushed out of my job a long, long time ago. Second, I would never be able to miss as much time as he has.

I love Byrd, think he's a great man, and great legislator, but it's ridiculous in politics how people can continue to serve until they're so old and sick, or take 10-12 months off to run for president, like many did this last cycle.


Get well, Byrd.

[sabbat hunter]

10. I think

he wants to try and outdo Strom Thurmond but I do not think his health will allow that to happen.