Robert Byrd, Longest-Serving U.S. Senator, Dies at 92

Fox News ^ | 6/28/10 | Staff

[careyb]

Robert Byrd, Longest-Serving U.S. Senator, Dies at 92

Published June 28, 2010

| FOXNews.com

Reuters

Feb. 2009: Sen. Robert Byrd doffs his hat for reporters as he arrives at the Capitol in Washington.

Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, the longest-serving senator in American history, died Monday at the age of 92, a spokesman for the family said.

Byrd, a Democrat who served in the U.S. Senate since 1959, had been plagued by health problems in recent years and was confined to a wheelchair. He had skipped several votes in Congress in the past months. 

Jesse Jacobs, a family spokesman, said Byrd died peacefully at about 3 a.m. at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Va.

He was the oldest member of the 111th Congress.

The passing of Sen. Byrd will not affect the balance of power in the Senate. West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, a Democrat, will appoint a replacement senator to serve out the remainder of Byrd's term which ends in 2012.

[stevie_d_64]

Dag nabbit!!! The Sheriff is a...[GONG!!!!]

[Winged Hussar]

I read that he supported the coal interests, which probably would have meant a vote against cap and trade. I did not agree with him about gun control (and I found it surprising that anybody from WV would support it) but there were at least a few things he did or would have done right, like help stop cap and trade.

[nina0113]

Well, they`ve named virtually everything in W. Virginia after him, so I guess the only thing left is to name the state itself after him. I can see the signs now. Welcome to the state of Robert Byrd!

West Byrdginia!

[OrangeHoof]

Somewhere, ‘ol Billie is in mourning.

[buccaneer81]

I’ll give the devil his due - he loved his dogs.

So did Hitler (sorry, I couldn't resist.)

[Centurion2000]

CENSORED ...

[mojitojoe]

That’s a nice story and I feel no satisfaction regarding the death of Byrd but I feel no great remorse either. I rarely agreed with him but he did love the Constitution. After he wrote that letter to the dumbas* in chief, telling he that he was usurping the power of the executive office, he went way down on my list of liberals I detest.

[montag813]

Hoods at half-neck today, Grand Wizards!

[Political Junkie Too]

It could be argued that the remaining term will be the length of time from when the appointee is actually sworn in as opposed to when the actual vacancy occurred which would be at the death of Sen. of Byrd.

I'd say that the term belongs to the seat, not the person in it. That seat is a part of a class, and the dates of terms are fixed.

-PJ

[linn37]

Byrd at least knew what the damn rules were and that was the best thing I can say about him.

[montag813]

Well as the saying goes, we should not speak evil of the recently departed, therefore, I'll wait a respectful period--maybe a week or so?--before offering my opinion!

I have never understood this prohibition. Ted Kennedy was a despicable pig and a traitor, and I reveled in his death on this forum, as I would have any other criminal or traitor, the moment it was announced. Robert Byrd wasn't nearly as bad, but was a KKK leader and racist, and later one of the most corrupt Senators in the history of the union. I do not mourn his passing, and wretch in expectation of Manchin appointing yet another sleazebag to replace him.

[BattleHymn]

I’ll miss him for only one thing. He has provided my wife and myself with endless hours of entertainment with his gasbag oratory. Byrd is one of two people in the public eye that can make me laugh so hard I start crying.

[Jo Nuvark]

Perhaps Senator Byrd “served” for a while, but it might
be more appropriate to say Byrd “occupied” the senate -
as do most progressives once they get there.

R.I.P

[deport]

I agree that the current term for the seat has a fixed termination date, Jan. 3, 2013. All I’m saying is that when the replacement is named and approved the remainder of the term maybe less than the 2 1/2 years specified in the W VA code that requires an election. I have no idea how this will play out for the filling of the seat, just speculating on possibilities.

[Tailback]

As others have noted, the key date here is July 3 — next Saturday. Under West Virginia law, were a vacancy to be declared before then, an appointee would hold the seat through this November, when a special election would be held to fill the final two years on the term Byrd was elected to in 2006. The winner of that special election would presumably seek a full term in 2012. Were a vacancy to be declared after July 3, an appointee would hold the seat through the 2012 election, when the full six-year term would be up.

Can the GOP Senators call for a roll call or quorum or some such, and then noting the WV Senators absence move to declare vacant?

[doug from upland]

I doubt it. It seems to be the sole discretion of the governor.

[Brown Deer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJKFQLvLSvQ

[DoughtyOne]

The guy was a KKK leader. None the less he served the longest term in the history of the United States Senate.

And he served as a Democrat.

No, I won’t be allowing this POS to drift off into some dream state as Democrats will be want to do.

This man could not have served as a Republican in the Senate of the United States. The Democrats would have torn him to shreds.

Everyone is a racist, but a Democrat. That’s what they have been pounding into our brains in the 59 years I have been alive.

So no, I won’t be letting this racist prick off the hook.

If you’ve served as a leader in the KKK, you’re done. That’s something I don’t give second chances to get right.

Read about his record. He can go straight to hell, and not pass Go or collect his $200 dollars.

[Political Junkie Too]

I understand.

Usually, these things play out in the best interests of the Democrats because the Republicans aren't prepared for the audaciousness of the Democrats.

-PJ

[rdb3]

Everyone is a racist, but a Democrat. That’s what they have been pounding into our brains in the 59 years I have been alive.

So no, I won’t be letting this racist prick off the hook.

59? But you don't look a day over 58. ;-)

I understand your sentiment, but I'll keep my thoughts to myself.