Aug 6, 2009 9:39am
Sen. Byrd to Make Rare Capitol Hill Appearance to Vote on Sotomayor
EmailABC News' Jonathan Karl reports: Senate Democrats are expecting Robert Byrd, the Senate's oldest and longest-serving Senator, to make a rare appearance on Capitol Hill today to vote on the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. I would expect Byrd, a Democrat, to vote in favor or Sotomayor, but, then again, he has long said he likes his judges conservative. Byrd was one of just four Democrats to vote in favor of Samuel Alito. Byrd has only appeared on the Senate floor once since he was hospitalized in May for a month. His last appearance was on July 21 and for only a few minutes, long enough to vote against a White House-backed measure to strip funding for the F-22.
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
He probably is trying to secure funding in order to get another building in WV named after himself.
Posted by: Huh | August 6, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
Bird represents the perfect case for term limits. Besides being nuts for years, he represents the worst of the bunch requiring roads to be built to no where and more.
Has anyone been to West Virgina? Go there and than tell me a man from this state should have so much power.
Only in America can be people like Bird and Frankin get elected to positions that way over their heads. God help us all.
Posted by: a citizen | August 6, 2009, 11:23 am 11:23 am
First, the correct spelling is Byrd not Bird. Second, senority matters. Just ask Republicans like Thad Cochran of Mississippi. Third, since you are such an expert on West Virginia roads, how about telling us just where all these roads to know where are located? May God help you!
Posted by: @a citizen | August 6, 2009, 11:44 am 11:44 am
I wonder if the Congress would be falling all over themselves welcoming a former Grand Wizard of the KKK if he happened to be a Republican.
Posted by: Bill | August 6, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
a citizen, I do believe it’s time for Sen. Byrd (the correct spelling is in the header) to step down, but I’m glad he will be there for this historic vote. How though can you make a judgment about Sen. Franken? Or did you vote for the two that graduated at bottom of their classes? From they way you spelled their names, guess that must be it.
Posted by: Try the truth | August 6, 2009, 11:54 am 11:54 am
I wonder if the Congress would be falling all over themselves welcoming a former Grand Wizard of the KKK if he happened to be a Republican. Bill | Aug 6, 2009 11:47:16 AM — Hey I’m not a fan of the man either, only thing I can say is, he was up front about it. Unlike some we have in there now on the Republican side.
Posted by: Try the truth | August 6, 2009, 11:59 am 11:59 am
There is obviously more ‘pork’ that needs addressing.
Posted by: LongT | August 6, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
Elected officials serving for their entire adult lives and nepotism are growing threats to American democracy. I predict it will become commonplace for state governors to appoint family members whenever a US Senate seat becomes open.
This already has happened (Lisa Murkowski) and her Governor father and she got away with it. Rod Blagojevich would still be in office if he’d also just gifted the Senate to his brother or wife, instead of trying to sell it.
Posted by: billp | August 6, 2009, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
try the truth,
umm…he’s up front and honest about it? he recently released a personal memoir that pretty much completely devoid of any mention of his KKK past. and ask yourself an important question about his membership. he was a member either because he believe what the KKK espoused OR he joined because it was politically expedient at the time. so, it’s either that he was a virulent racist member of one of the first terrorist groups in america, or he was willing to stand by while lynchings and rapings occurred because it helped him politically. either way, it’s dispicable. and no, he’s not “honest” about it at all. i lived in WV for several years and it’s an issue that WV residents don’t even like to bring up.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | August 6, 2009, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
trythetruth,
forgot to mention that when byrd does discuss the KKK in his book, he tries to explain that the KKK he was involved with was actually more like the Elks or Moose Lodge than the KKK most people know about. if it weren’t so blatantly false, it would be hilarious.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | August 6, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
If his appearances on Capitol Hill are so rare, why doesn’t he step down and let someone serve as senator who can actually be there and serve as the voice of the people of that state. He should step down if his age and health won’t permit him to serve.
Posted by: genlin | August 6, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
What did they do? Dig him up from the graveyard and take him in a hearse to the Capitol building? Good grief, term limits please!!!
Posted by: Terry | August 6, 2009, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm
Although I would agree with most who say that Sen. Byrd’s time to go has come, I oppose term limits. You limit the elected official but the lobbyists and life time bureaucrats stay on and their power and influence get greater since those who might have the experience and the memory of what happened are gone as a result of term limits.
Posted by: jim 234 | August 7, 2009, 5:24 am 5:24 am
I believe that even a little success in a campaign to NEVER REELECT ANYONE IN CONGRESS would move us a long way toward a revolutionary change in American politics, much like 1776. Some of the reasons in favor of this approach:
• Gives us a one-term, term limited Congress without using amendments
• It would be supported by 70% of the country who want term limits Congress
• It is completely non-partisan
• If repeated, it ends career politicians dominating Congress
• It opens the way to a “citizen Congress”
• It ends the seniority system that keeps freshmen powerless
• It doesn’t cost you any money. Just don’t vote for any incumbent
• It is the only infallible, unstoppable way to “Throw All the Bums Out”
• It takes effect immediately on Election Day
NEVER REELECT ANYONE IN CONGRESS.
Posted by: Nelson Lee Walker | August 8, 2009, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm