Reid eyes Byrd ouster
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Reid eyes Byrd ouster
By John Bresnahan
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AP Photo U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd clasps hands with Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden at a rally in Charleston last week.
Politico.com
WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is quietly preparing to ease 90-year-old Sen. Robert C. Byrd from his perch as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Democratic insiders tell Politico.
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200810280344
Gallery [+] Enlarge
AP Photo U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd clasps hands with Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden at a rally in Charleston last week.
Politico.com
WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is quietly preparing to ease 90-year-old Sen. Robert C. Byrd from his perch as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Democratic insiders tell Politico.
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200810280344
ziggy- Moderator
- Number of posts : 5731
Location : Jackson County, WV
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
I hope Dingy Harry didn't think Big Daddy would go without a fight.
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200810280570
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200810280570
Byrd slams Reid over report of removal
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Robert Byrd, the elderly Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized Majority Leader Harry Reid Tuesday over a news account that said Reid is plotting to oust him from his cherished post.
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Robert Byrd, the elderly Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized Majority Leader Harry Reid Tuesday over a news account that said Reid is plotting to oust him from his cherished post.
The inside-Washington newspaper Politico, citing anonymous sources, reported Tuesday that Reid, D-Nev., is planning to ease Byrd, the longest-serving senator in history, from the helm of the powerful Appropriations panel and would award the chairmanship to the next most senior Democrat, Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.
That provoked an unusually direct retort from Byrd, D-W.Va., who mentored Reid when the Nevada Democrat came to the Senate more than two decades ago. According to the Politico account, Reid has discussed the scenario with his advisers and with Inouye.
"I am disappointed that, according to press accounts, the Majority Leader is talking to others about the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee,'' Byrd said in a statement released by his office. "This is the sort of Washington back-room gossip which ill serves the Democratic Party in a year when Democratic unity should be paramount.''
Last year, Reid had strongly defended Byrd, 90, after doubts about his capacity to lead the committee resulted in a spate of stories by Capitol Hill publications like Roll Call -- also fueled by anonymous quotes from senators and their aides -- speculating that he might be eased out.
In fact, those anonymous leaks to the media about Byrd had the probably unintended effect of shoring up support for him as senators felt compelled to make vows of loyalty, both privately and publicly.
Byrd is increasingly frail and usually relies on a script. He's taken to a wheelchair since a fall last year and other health problems led to several hospital stays. Top staff have served as surrogates in many negotiating sessions with top lawmakers.
The rumor mill is now churning again, and Reid's office is taking a more ambiguous stance in addressing them, noting that Byrd's future as chairman is up to fellow Democrats.
Reid spokesman Jim Manley said Tuesday that "Unless something changes, Senator Byrd will continue to be chairman of the Appropriations Committee.''
Byrd has been campaigning in West Virginia for Barack Obama and for a former aide who's running for a U.S. House seat. He said he plans to help craft an economic stimulus measure when Congress reconvenes.
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
It could in fact backfire.
Sen. Byrd has tremendous respect in the Senate and deservedly so.
What will more likely happen is Sen. Byrd will pick a new majority leader.
Sen. Byrd has tremendous respect in the Senate and deservedly so.
What will more likely happen is Sen. Byrd will pick a new majority leader.
sodbuster- Number of posts : 1890
Location : wv
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
I've got a bacon samich that says by this time next year, Byrd's no longer the chairman of the committee and that Reid wins this battle.
Aaron- Number of posts : 9841
Age : 58
Location : Putnam County for now
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Well I figure Sen Byrd will be there long as he is sucking wind.
Unless maybe Anne Barth wins and he can get her appointed to his seat he might step down.
But I doubt it.
Unless maybe Anne Barth wins and he can get her appointed to his seat he might step down.
But I doubt it.
sodbuster- Number of posts : 1890
Location : wv
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Ann Barth is running for Congress.
Robert C. Byrd is a Senator.
Robert C. Byrd is a Senator.
Aaron- Number of posts : 9841
Age : 58
Location : Putnam County for now
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Yes I know.
sodbuster- Number of posts : 1890
Location : wv
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
So if Ann Barth wins a seat in Congress, you think Byrd would resign his Senate seat and give it to Ann Barth?
So does she get to pick who replaces her?
So does she get to pick who replaces her?
Aaron- Number of posts : 9841
Age : 58
Location : Putnam County for now
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
No but I think it reasonable to assume it will be worked out ahead of time dont you?
sodbuster- Number of posts : 1890
Location : wv
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
If Byrd has so much suck in the Senate how come he's not majority leader?
ohio county- Moderator
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Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
sodbuster wrote:No but I think it reasonable to assume it will be worked out ahead of time dont you?
I think you seem to be forgetting 3 prominent WV democrats, all of whom have led the state at one time or another and who have been rumored to have designs on the seat once it is no longer occupied by Sen. Byrd Sherman.
You're also forgetting that the person responsible for replacing Byrd before his next election in 2014 is one of those individuals.
Aaron- Number of posts : 9841
Age : 58
Location : Putnam County for now
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Because he can do more for us as appropriations chairman.
Plus he is too old.
Plus he is too old.
sodbuster- Number of posts : 1890
Location : wv
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
You mean he can bring home more bacon in the form of earmarks on the appropriations committee.
Tell me, do you really think it's fair that West Virginians spend $8,000 more per resident then we pay in taxes in federal money?
Tell me, do you really think it's fair that West Virginians spend $8,000 more per resident then we pay in taxes in federal money?
Aaron- Number of posts : 9841
Age : 58
Location : Putnam County for now
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
How many parking garages and bus stations do we need?
ohio county- Moderator
- Number of posts : 3207
Location : Wheeling
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Well I have said before the big prize would be a military base.
Everyone else has one, why not wv?
Everyone else has one, why not wv?
sodbuster- Number of posts : 1890
Location : wv
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Let's just hold onto that seat on the Appropriations Committee, eh?
ohio county- Moderator
- Number of posts : 3207
Location : Wheeling
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
I bet that is one way Obama could win wv is give Byrd a military base and announce over weekend...
sodbuster- Number of posts : 1890
Location : wv
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Okay. Although I'd say it is more likely they'll announce that Camp Dawson has been here for quite some time.
ohio county- Moderator
- Number of posts : 3207
Location : Wheeling
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Aaron wrote:sodbuster wrote:No but I think it reasonable to assume it will be worked out ahead of time dont you?
I think you seem to be forgetting 3 prominent WV democrats, all of whom have led the state at one time or another and who have been rumored to have designs on the seat once it is no longer occupied by Sen. Byrd Sherman.
You're also forgetting that the person responsible for replacing Byrd before his next election in 2014 is one of those individuals.
You mean in 2012, right?
ziggy- Moderator
- Number of posts : 5731
Location : Jackson County, WV
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
You mean they don't give Byrd 2 extra years? I thought once you reached 90 you got the seat for 8 years.
Aaron- Number of posts : 9841
Age : 58
Location : Putnam County for now
Registration date : 2007-12-28
Re: Reid eyes Byrd ouster
Yeah, I forgot about that.
ziggy- Moderator
- Number of posts : 5731
Location : Jackson County, WV
Registration date : 2007-12-28
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