Will Robert Byrd step down soon?

[k_jerome]

given his physical condition and his past, I certainly wish he would.

[ProSense]

1. Why don't you write him and ask him? n/t

[DesertRat]

2. Why don't you ask him

http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

[hlthe2b]

8. The OP posted repeatedly in that thread. against Byrd.

so he is fully aware of that previous discussion.

Apparently the OP is on a tear to get rid of Byrd...:shrug:

[DesertRat]

11. OP should go after some of the Republicans

Like my 2 warmongering Senators (Kyl and McCain) instead of Sen. Byrd who fights to defend our Constitution and Stop the war.
:shrug:

[KingFlorez]

25. Somehow, I don't think the OP is worried about those types of Senators

[PresidentObama]

3. I would hate to see his go.

He's a powerful voice for our cause, but watching him sometimes I wish he would step down.

[k_jerome]

17. i happen to think his racism is a bigger problem than his health...

but if he steps down due to illness or age, i would not mind.

[PresidentObama]

24. I'm not fully familiar with his 'racism', I know about his past.....

But Senator Byrd is a valuable voice in the Senate, and has been a great Senator. His health is very concerning.

[k_jerome]

26. he seems to have a problem with the coloreds....

but he's against the war, so all is forgiven.

[PresidentObama]

27. All isn't forgiven.

Obviously you're proof that many take issue with Senator Byrd. I personally don't, because all I've been exposed of him is the many issues of importance he's leaded on. I haven't studied or examined his past, but I'm aware of some of his statements. And yes, in that respect he is wrong.

[welshTerrier2]

4. Only one man stood in their way.

I hope you take the time to read the following article from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/18/AR2007011802176.html

This past January, with the Democrats' big ethics bill on the table, there was huge pressure on Reid to cave in to the republican demand to give bush a line item veto. Reports indicated that he almost went for the trade to get the ethics bill passed.

Say this out loud to yourself as many times as it takes until it sinks in: giving any president the line item veto will destroy our system of checks and balances and give virtually unlimited imperial power to the executive branch. lather, rinse, repeat!

One man stood in the way of what would have been a death blow to American democracy, the balance of power between the Congress and the executive branch, and the Constitution itself:

For nearly two days, Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) -- who jealously guards the Senate's prerogatives on spending matters -- single-handedly blocked efforts to come to an accord on that line-item veto vote.

Byrd is not a well man. He is old and very feeble. His presence in the Congress this past January may have saved our democracy. I, for one, regardless of how old and infirm he may be, greatly appreciate his presence there. Instead of making a case about his "physical condition", you would need to make a case that he is no longer "mentally competent". The standard you apply is totally unacceptable.

[k_jerome]

14. he did that same thing on some vote in the 60's. tenacity. nt.

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. Actually, he is not "old and feeble"

He has so much to contribute as evidenced during the Senate debates on Saturday. His voice was powerful and moving. He may be not as physically strong as...let's say, McConnell, but his mental capacity and his integrity put him in a league far above most who spoke on that Senate floor.

[hlthe2b]

6. Didn't you post this earlier this week?

and weren't the comments universally supportive of Byrd, who despite his many infirmities is mentally intact and fully dedicated as a Democrat to getting us out of this war and to reversing the attacks on civil liberties that the Repugs have pushed through?

Byrd lost his wife of decades just recently. I have no doubt that the only thing keeping him going is his dedication to the US constitution and his duty to the Senate.

Unlike Strom Thurmond, who was just a wheel-chair bound vegetable, or the Senator from KY, who demostrably has lost mental acuity, whether from senility, Alzheimers, or whatever, Byrd is functioning AND serving.

So, why do you keep questioning this. Do you have a problem with ageism? :shrug:

[k_jerome]

53. no, i did not....

i have no "problem with ageism", just racist homophobes in my party.

why don't you have a problem with that?

[buff2]

7. Oh No.........Not another Byrd bashing thread

I got off the computer last night because I was so pissed at the FReeptard shit being thrown at Byrd. This place needs cleaning up,it's gotten to be almost unbearable in here anymore.

[hlthe2b]

10. this thread is a continuation of the OP's comments on an earlier

thread.... Links appear in posts upstream...

[Monkeyman]

9. No I think they will carry him off the floor. He will die fighting

[countingbluecars]

12. What? One active Byrd bashing

thread is not enough for you?

[partylessinOhio]

13. The Impostor is going to break out a war in Iran and you're worried about Byrd?

Bush is the problem, not Byrd.

[KingFlorez]

15. Why should he?

The people of his state just sent him back and if he still thinks he has work to do in the Senate, he should remain there. As for his past, that's irrelevant.

[k_jerome]

16. of course it is. nt.

[jonnyblitz]

18. I , for one , won't miss the bible clenching old homophobe.

I will never forget him railing on and on about the evils of homosexuality during the DOMA debates in the 90's, bible in hand.

[k_jerome]

20. i am with you....

his use of racial slurs as recently as 2001 convinced me that he has not changed, just gone "underground"

[jonnyblitz]

28. that doesn't matter to most people here, you are more apt to

get a "STFU' from everybody. pathetic.

[k_jerome]

33. i see that. i guess its ok if his racism or homophobia does not affect you...

'cause he's against the war.

[niyad]

31. citations, please

[niyad]

30. citation, please, because I don;t remember that

[k_jerome]

32. link to video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7FcrUu-_Vg

thinks we talk about race too much. even has his office's issued apology.

[MonkeyFunk]

19. I doubt it

nor should he. He seems to be fully in control of mental faculties. His hands shake and his voice wavers, but he's still sharp as a tack.

[k_jerome]

21. i hold no illusions that he will step down any time soon.....

just wish he would...for reasons other than his health.

[Daylin Byak]

22. He is just as strong as you Jerome

Mentally atleast. I am predicting this now, Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) WILL DIE IN OFFICE. Mark it on your calendars/

[k_jerome]

23. unfortunately, i think that is a good prediction. nt.

[MonkeyFunk]

34. well

there probably 60 Senators I'd like to see go before Byrd does.

[Ninja Jordan]

29. I wish the person in your avatar would step down soon.

We don't need posers representing us.

[Hippo_Tron]

35. Senator Byrd isn't actively hindering advances in civil rights or homosexual rights...

He hasn't been the deciding vote on any of these issues and his statements don't represent the party as a whole, only himself.

However, his courage and wisdom on matters of the constitution and the war are essential to preserving our democracy as this crucial point in history. You can call it a necessary evil if you want, but Senator Byrd is necessary.

Also if Byrd steps down, given the GOP trend of West Virginia it is very possible that any Democrat that Governor Manchin appoints will go down in an special election in 2008. So then you will have someone who actively supports the racist and homophobic policies of the GOP and is also a warmonger and in favor of shredding the constitution.

[k_jerome]

36. thats funny. his racism and homophobia aren't hurtin' nobody...

what a reason. what a defense.

[Hippo_Tron]

38. I stick by my defense

His wisdom on matters of war and peace and the constitution are valuable to us at this point in time make him a necessary evil given where we are as a country. And while he may personally still be a racist, he isn't actively hindering the cause of civil rights anymore. Given the fact that our constitution is in danger of being obsolete and we're at risk of being in a perpetual state of war, I'm willing to make sacrifices like this.

Furthermore, he isn't enabling the Republican Party that is guilty of the true racial atrocities of the 21st century like the failures of FEMA in New Orleans. Any Republican that would be elected in his place would be enabling such atrocities.

[k_jerome]

40. fair enough. nt.

[Daylin Byak]

42. I think your dead wrong on the politcs of WV

If you run a conservative Democrat in a statewide election in WV he will win, those are the only Democrats that can get elected in that state these days.

[cali]

44. OMG

I was going to stay out of this thread, but your rationalization of out and out bigotry is so extraordinary, it should be strongly denounced by more than one person.

Oh, and Manchin would probably appoint himself and he's very popular.

[Aussie leftie]

37. There was one person who stood head and shoulders above all the rest

When Bush and his fellow war criminals were advocating war Robert Byrd spoke up loud and clear against it. He stands out in my memory more than any other opponent. The Democrats need straight talking people, not poll driven pretenders.

[k_jerome]

41. some of us remember...

his filibuster of civil rights legislation...or his homophobic remards...or his racist slurs a few years ago. but, he's against the war...

[Aussie leftie]

54. Unfortunately we dont get to see all the news that happens in the US

I can well understand how you feel about his views on racism and homophobia, I dont have time for people like that either. What ashame though, that more democrats didnt speak up against the war like he did.

[fujiyama]

39. What is the point of your thread?

You claim to "hold no illusions about him stepping down".

Then why the hell do you start this thread? He just got reelected a few months ago. And he doesn't seem interested in leaving anytime soon. If he's healthy enough in six years, I'm sure he'll run again and win. I don't approve of Byrd's homophobic slurs and his racist past, but he has seemingly put the latter behind him. As for his homophobic nature, it's tough to change some people's notions on certain things.

Hopefully in time he'll improve on that issue. He's been an effective speaker on certain things related to the constitution, but considering his votes for the bankruptcy bill and Alito...I don't have the undying praise as some do for him here...

[last_texas_dem]

43. I hope not

He may not be in the best physical health, but mentally he's much more "there" than most members of the Senate, who are all younger than him.

Additionally, he seems to be getting more liberal with age; plus, he's an institution in WV, and doesn't have to worry as much as most politicians about pandering on the issues. He's likely the most popular politician in his "red"-trending state. If he retires, he's likely to be replaced with a more conservative Democrat or a Republican; why the rush to move the Senate to the right?

Why not post a thread about the need for Jim Bunning to retire? He's an incompetent member of the opposition party; unlike Byrd, who, overall, is still representing our party quite well.

[lonehalf]

45. I've heard that as soon as they ...

...name a bridge, building, library or post office after
him he will retire. :sarcasm:

[theboss]

46. My folks live in WV

This question has been asked every year since 1988. My guess is, Byrd leaves the Senate when Byrd leaves this mortal coil.

And I think he will live to be 116.

[Dinger]

47. And Then What? (nt)

[k_jerome]

48. a non-racist, non-homophobe is appointed...

to put the white folks in a tizzy.

[Dinger]

49. Appointed By Whom? (nt)

[k_jerome]

50. the governor of WV. nt.

[Dinger]

51. Well, At Least He's a Democrat

Joe Manchin

[Freddie Stubbs]

52. He will probably keep serving as long as (or perhaps longer then) he is physically capable