I'm thinking this way: No one has pushed him in a long time and he is increasingly fragile both physically and mentally. If presented with an aggressive and well funded republican - Bryd is very likely to self destruct, either by showing his befuddlement or in melting down, reverting to the N-word or its equivalent.
Exactly Wally! You know, in the last 6 months or so Byrd has started sounding really confused and befuddled. It reminds me of the second to last time I flew out to see my grandmother in Florida. The last time I saw her (year or so later) she didn't know who I was. I think Byrd's deterioration is well underway. A year or so is an awful long time for dementia to progress. A good strong debate will end him.