Is Senator Byrd being a little selfish by not resigning?

[LovinLife]

Doesn't WV have a democrat as governor? WOuldn't he appoint another democrat? Does the guy do anything in the Senate? Ted Kennedy seemed to at least be involved in strategy the last couple of yrs. Even while battling cancer. So I do think he and Byrd are different.

[jefferson_dem]

1. Oh, get a grip.

n/t

[LovinLife]

4. I don't think any politician, or supreme court judges should be allowed to stay as long as they

can breathe. I think this is a big part of the problem with our nation.

[Gman]

2. Unless you live in WV

it's none of your business. If you do live in WV, why didn't you vote against him the last time he was up for reelection? Or did you? Are you a Democrat?

[LovinLife]

6. I live in California, but that's not the point. Maybe there is a young energetic liberal

in WV that could be a loud voice for real reform. But this guy is just holding on till he can't hold on anymore. Even Bobby Bowden was forced to retire.

[Tanuki]

The likelihood of a "young, energetic liberal", succeeding in the general election in

West Virginia, even if appointed to finish Byrd's term, is slim to none in the current political environment. The senate seat would most likely be won by Shelly Moore Caputo, currently a Republican congresswoman.(I grew up in West Virginia, still have family there and follow events there with great interest).

[Gman]

24. Byrd is a known quantity in WV

and (believe me, I have friends and relatives there), WV is quite happy with Byrd. I know he's ill and I don't think is likely to see the end of next year, but I would not look for a "young energetic liberal" to replace him as those types don't exactly grow on the trees in WV.

[CBGLuthier]

57. bullshit on that argument

Every senator has a national impact.

Are we not allowed to slam Lieberman and Nelson for being asshats?

It most assuredly is ALL of our business who gets elected to the senate.

[Gman]

64. If you don't live in WV, you ain't got a vote in that election

so that makes it none of your business.

[wndycty]

3. It depends is the West Virginia Governor a Republican or a Democrat

:kick:

[LovinLife]

18. I googled, and he's a Democrat. NT

[babylonsister]

5. Hw do you know what Byrd has or hasn't done? That's right, you don't. nt

[SoFlaJet]

9. You know Babylonsis

I just want to thank you for always fighting for democratic ideals through this past decade. There are certain people here who I always look for with their threads, you're one of them. We've seen a lot of people come to DU and pretend to be true democrats but they always end up showing their true colors in time, and you are always there to fight them or call them out on their bullshit.

[babylonsister]

31. Hey, thanks, and nice to see you this X-mas Eve.

I hope your holidays are merry! :toast:

[SoFlaJet]

39. It's a great day

Everyone is happy and healthy thank God and we were able to buy presents for our 3 children and all 5 beautiful grandkids-and this morning a prayer was answered.

[saltpoint]

7. Having read and re-read your post a couple times now, this observer

wonders if you know what the fuck you're talking about.

Byrd is a U.S. Senator, rightly elected by voters in his state.

As another DU poster pointed out this morning, while Kentucky's Jim Bunning skipped the vote this morning, the advanced-aged Robert Byrd showed up. On time.

[LovinLife]

13. If Jim Bunning is too old and unable to perform duties, he should be forced to resign too. U all are

taxpayers right? Why on earth would u see good in someone holding on to public office until they die. That seems really selfish. I don't care if he was elected. Bush was elected 2wice, doesn't make it right.

[saltpoint]

20. Turns out, though, they have like, elections, and the voters vote

for representatives and stuff.

If you don't like the way things are done, move to a remote desert at once.

[LovinLife]

22. Some people need to be saved from themselves. NT

[saltpoint]

23. And you are going to be doing this saving? Wendell Berry is a

Kentuckian.

If you haven't read him, you should.

[onenote]

25. why don't you go ahead and call for the reinstatement of the poll tax while you are at it

The sad thing is that I don't think you have a clue how offensive your post was

[LovinLife]

27. How was it offensive? This isn't about all old people, just old people who aren't able to contribute

Ted Kennedy had pep. Even McCain has a little fire. I don't know how this is offensive.

[onenote]

29. its offensive to suggest that one's electoral rights should somehow be tied to education

If you don't get what's wrong with suggesting that "some people" should be saved from themselves (presumably other people -- people you consider yourself better than) you really are clueless

[LovinLife]

30. Bill Maher agrees w/ me? Look at Palin supporters. They really should have some of their rights

taken away.

[onenote]

35. I was right. You are clueless. And undemocratic. And Maher's a comic. You're not Maher

[LovinLife]

U do realize it's undemocratic to call someone undemocratic becuz they disagree w/ u.

It's democratic of me to speak my mind, rather u or anyone else agrees or not.

[onenote]

65. you're not undemocratic because I disagree with you

You're undemocratic because you think that an individual's right to participate in the process of deciding who represents them should not apply equally to everyone.

[shraby]

54. Last I looked, Byrd has been contributing..heard him give

a dandy speech on the floor of the senate about last year. His head is on straight and he contributes now with a vote in the right direction.
There are many senators who don't do that..2 or 3 seem to be bucking the party like Baucus who is much younger than Byrd.

[dgibby]

63. There's a group led by Sen. Coburn (R,pos)

who are actively praying for Bobby Byrd's imminent death. Perhaps you'd like to join them in their endeavor since he doesn't seem to want to accommodate your wishes. People like you make me want to:puke:

[Tanuki]

26. What a bigoted and condescending statement. eom

[LovinLife]

28. OK I take back what I said about WV and KY. Forget the statistics, they're all geniuses.

[saltpoint]

33. Abraham Lincoln was a Kentuckian.

He did pretty good for himself, seems to me.

[LovinLife]

36. They're exceptions. Jerry West is from WV. I was speaking from statistics. nt

[saltpoint]

37. Your point, though, is codswallop.

Actually, every point you've made in this thread is codswallop.

[saltpoint]

41. Plus, we're all exceptions.

Zip code does not determine exceptionality. Being born alone covers it.

And seriously -- you should read Wendell Berry.

[LovinLife]

43. You're getting too deep. I'm still sleepy. I must prepare for Santa. Merry Christmas. Peace to all.

[saltpoint]

45. After you've taken a dump in the lobby IMO you should stay and clean it up.

[FrenchieCat]

8. You're still here?

[lamp_shade]

11. I was thinking the same thing.

[SoFlaJet]

12. and like I just wrote about babylon

I also want to thank Frenchie cat for ALSO always fighting for the true democratic ideals. Merry Christmas and thanks for being here.

[FrenchieCat]

15. We Dems have to stick together, or we will fall that way!

Merry Christmas!

[SoFlaJet]

19. and just like we had to do during the primaries

we must always call out the pretenders who come here to disrupt and TRY to make it seem like there is division amongst us.

[LovinLife]

16. It's too early for your crap. Please don't start. NT

[FrenchieCat]

53. You started this crap thread, not I.

I find you offensive, and I will tell you so as often as possible.

[countingbluecars]

10. Senator Byrd's words from today

"Mr. President, this is for my friend Ted Kennedy. Aye."

[LovinLife]

14. Powerful...........SMH

[lamp_shade]

17. Ope... here I go again.

[CreekDog]

49. Wow how selfish, the OP is right!

:sarcasm:

[Undercurrent]

21. Stick a sock in it.

n/t

[GoCubsGo]

32. No.

His constituents are not calling for him to resign. Their opinions on this are the only ones that matter here.

I am from South Carolina. I wish 80-something Fritz Hollings was still my Senator, rather than his replacement, the "young and energetic" Lindsay Graham.

[dgibby]

60. Amen to that!

I'm in SC, too, and as far as I'm concerned, we have no representation (except for Clyburn).

[blogslut]

34. Robert Byrd cast 20 votes in the Senate this month alone

Sounds pretty vital to me.

Correction Byrd cast 29 votes this month.

[saltpoint]

38. +1

[NatBurner]

40. he's staying to piss you off personally

just you and only you

he told me that himself

"piss on that ijit internet dork lovinlife; get to lovindeeznuts" is how he put it

the old man can still turn a colorful phrase, can't he?

[LovinLife]

42. Tell him I can chew hard candy. NT

[saltpoint]

44. Get the kind with more sugar, then.

[NatBurner]

46. ok i told him. he said u can chew on "these vanilla salty balls"

whatever those are

he's in a mood today, apparently

[firedupdem]

67. LOL!!

You're killing me! Is this the same poster that referred to us as the 'democrat' party recently? Sometimes you just have to laugh! :rofl:

[AspenRose]

69. You are so bad

Merry Christmas :-)

[CreekDog]

50. wow, you are really being an ass with that comment

:wtf:

[jefferson_dem]

47. Byrd: 'He Who Has Health Has Hope' (Statement)

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) issued the following statement following final Senate passage of health care legislation:

"An Old Arab proverb says, 'He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.'"

"I believe these words to be true. Such words have driven me throughout my long career to improve the state's health-care infrastructure and delivery system. We all know too well that while sources of distinctiveness and pride, the remoteness and ruggedness of much of West Virginia has resulted in the state's consistently ranking high in incidences of disease, injury, and poor health behaviors. In my continued quest to give substance to my vision of better health care for all West Virginians, I proudly cast my vote in support of this bill."

"I have long advocated for expanding access to affordable, basic health care services for all West Virginians, regardless of income. This bill furthers that goal. It will expand coverage to West Virginians who otherwise could not afford insurance. It will reduce costs for families, particularly drug costs for seniors, and insurance costs for small businesses. It will provide cost savings that more than pay for these initiatives in the decades to come. It will help to reform unfair health insurance practices, so that insurance companies cannot escape their responsibilities when West Virginians need their health insurance most. I believe that in the decades to come, Americans will look back on this legislation, as they do on the Social Security and Medicare programs, as fundamental government services deserving broad and bipartisan support."

"And my best wishes for a joyous and healthy holiday season to all."

Footnote: Today's vote on health care was Byrd's 18,609th vote during his Senate career.

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/byrd-he-who-has-health-has-hope.php

[CreekDog]

48. well, there's no guarantee what the new guy will do and Byrd provided critical votes three times

for the healthcare measure.

so "selfish" is the very last word that comes to mind for me.

as for your post --is it possibly the worst timing ever?

sometime after the Senate votes on the conference report, perhaps your point might be considered, but now --what a crank.

[TheCowsCameHome]

51. Yeah, it's not like he was elected by the people or anything.........

Sheesh.

[camera obscura]

52. I'm sure WV's gov is prepared

for an appointment in case of Byrd's death. Until then, he has been elected and he deserves to serve as much of his term as he likes.

[LiberalFighter]

56. I think it would be more accurate to say...

prepared in case of Byrd's resignation or death.

At this point I think he will die while in office. I can't think of the last Senator to die in office before Kennedy. They are more likely to not run again, resign or lose an election.

[LiberalFighter]

55. The replacement of a Senator when there is a vacancy is not conducted the same in each state.

[RoseMead]

58. Hey, I just logged in especially to say

Bite me! That's on behalf of myself, my senator and my state. :hi:

[Forkboy]

59. Damn your posts tend to suck.

[AspenRose]

68. Verily they doth sucketh mightily

:hi:

[Arkana]

61. Not really...I know full well that some Repube moron

would just be elected to serve in his place, given the current political climate in WVa.

[Jamastiene]

62. Uhm, no. Just no. n/t

[Tippy]

66. He has earned the right over the years to decide when it's time to

Take his leave..Thank you Senator Byrd....