[The Citizen Soldier]

Meaning no disrespect, there should be some mechanism for retiring a Senator who cannot physically meet the (very limited) challenge of the office.

Last week I watched a clip of Byrd blathering incoherently, possibly drunk or medicated.

Another recent clip showed him sound asleep directly behind another Senator who was speeking at the time.

Get well, but get gone. Please.

[tflabo]

Man you are soooo right. Time for the old geezer to retire and enjoy the few remaining years of his life (or less)
away from the clamor of Washington, DC.

[ReignOfError]

Meaning no disrespect, there should be some mechanism for retiring a Senator who cannot physically meet the (very limited) challenge of the office.

Something like that?

There are several informal mechanisms: Friends and family can prevail on a Senator to step down. Party leaders can quietly nudge behind the scenes. The Senate can expel a Senator they consider unfit, but no one wants to be seen doing that to a poor old man. But if the old dude is that stubborn, you just let him go through the motions and don't trouble him with details he won't remember anyway.

You can't pin this on the Dems alone, either. Strom Thurmond stuck around the Senate long after he ceased to know what was going on.

[presently no screen name]

I agree. THEY do take care of their own, don’t they. But it is our fault - we allow it by silence. Let us ALL try that at our jobs and then they can watch the unemployment figures go up.

[CDHart]

I wish they'd all just go to sleep. They'd be far less dangerous that way.

Carolyn

[LYSandra]

I really think that 90 is way too old to be making decisions in the Seante. Our Sen-Baucus has been there for 36 years!!! WAY too long. Listening to Byrd speak makes me queasy he is in charge of decisions that affect our lives. I think term limits are in order for jobs like that. Byrd has been out of it for a long time. JI wish him well but hope he retires NOW!

[Turret Gunner A20]

Meaning no disrespect, there should be some mechanism for retiring a Senator who cannot physically meet the (very limited) challenge of the office.

It's called a polling place or voting booth.

[steve-b]

I watched a clip of Byrd blathering incoherently

If blathering incoherently were a disqualification, the halls of Congress would be empty.