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WV-Sen: Robert Byrd Passes Away

by: Crisitunity

Mon Jun 28, 2010 at 10:58 AM EDT


Nine-term Senator Robert Byrd died early this morning at the age of 92.

He started his political career by running for the state House of Delegates in 1946, while working as a butcher and welder. He won a seat in the House of Representatives six years later, was elected to his first Senate term in 1958 and won his ninth in 2006, three weeks shy of his 89th birthday....

In November 2009, two days before his 92nd birthday, he passed Arizona Democrat Carl Hayden's record to become the longest-serving member of Congress.

Our condolences to his family and his many, many friends.
Crisitunity :: WV-Sen: Robert Byrd Passes Away
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WV-Sen: Robert Byrd Passes Away | 45 comments
I echo all kind words
While recognizing he was a complicated man who changed for the better over time. RIP.
Well stated
Senator Byrd's personal and political transformation when it came to issues of race mirrored the transformation of especially rural America probably more than any other public figure.  His Klan activities will always be mentioned in the first paragraph in any biography, and he said many times this was the worst mistake of his life.  But his long, public life also is a roadmap for the possibility of redemption -- and that especially when it comes to social justice, the direction you're heading is more important than the direction you came from.

He was a remarkable self-made person that I'm afraid wouldn't be possible today -- earning law and political science degrees while serving in the Senate, recording an album, chairing probably half the committees in the Senate and becoming its foremost expert on the Constitution.  He truly rose to the level of Clay and Webster in the history of the Senate.

[ Parent ]
Degree
My favorite JFK speech is the June 1963 American University Commencement Address. It starts...

"President Anderson, members of the faculty, board of trustees, distinguished guests, my old colleague, Senator Bob Byrd, who has earned his degree through many years of attending night law school, while I am earning mine in the next 30 minutes..."

[ Parent ]
Hear, hear.

[ Parent ]
R.I.P Byrd. And Capito vs Manchin
R.I.P. Robert Byrd, he was on of America's great senators.

In terms who will replace him, Manchin already said he wouldn't appoint himself (a smart move). When the next election for the seat will be is not clear now but it seems that it will likely be in 2012 during the date of the regularly scheduled election.

I will say (as many others have stated in the Morning digest) that Capito won't run against Manchin. Capito is far and beyond the strongest Republican for statewide office, but Manchin is really popular, even now with the trouble that many incumbents are having. Maybe we will get some polling soon, but my bet is that Capito would be behind Manchin by 10 points at least and while she would win her own congressional district easily, she would really struggle in WV-01 and WV-03 which are traditionally Democratic. Remember that there is a very strong union presence in WV, which is much different from a state such as Arkansas.

Rather, if Capito wants to run for statewide office, she would run for the governorship (Manchin is term limited anyway) and would have an excellent shot at winning.

Nate is hearing
That at a 4:30 press conference, the WV SoS will announce no special election for Byrd seat until 2012.  
[ Parent ]
It's not clear to me that politically
it would be better for Manchin to wait until 2012 to run than to run sooner. President Obama's coattails while presumably running for reelection may be negative in WV.

Of course, whoever wins the seat won't replace the accumulated parliamentary wisdom and old-school dignity of Senator Byrd - and whoever eventually replaces that, if anyone, may come from a different state - but the state of West Virginia does need strong representation by a person who can get funding for so many desperately poor people there.

"I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!"
--  Will Rogers  

[ Parent ]
Im not sure if is a smart move

I would understand if he appoint himself. And I think very much people can understand if the reasons are well explained.
[ Parent ]
He
has already said he will not appoint himself.  

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  
[ Parent ]
Byrd's Replacement
If Manchin wants to run in 2012, he will have to appoint a "caretaker," i.e., someone who promises not to run in 2012.  What kind of bench do we have in WV for a caretaker or otherwise?
There's Almost Nothing But Democrats
True, a lot of those Democrats wouldn't be recognized as such beyond the borders of WV, but Democrats dominate the state. Aside from Rep. Capito, Betty Ireland, and perhaps the Warner family there are few recognizeable Republicans in the state.
[ Parent ]
How about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K...  (If special election is in 2010)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H...

Chief of Staff or aide

Some state legislator

There should be plenty of Dems

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  

[ Parent ]
Oh My God
When I read he was ill yesterday I did not think a lot of it as I fully expected him to make a recovery. He was a fighter but at least he is not in pain anymore, I hope he did not have to suffer. I knew when he ran for re-election in 06 that this could happen but I really did not think it would. He was an amazing Senator, I will not lie his early career was not the greatest but I honestly think he has evolved his views and his endorsement of Obama in the primary proves that. He led an amazing career, he has been in Congress longer than I or most people on this blog have been alive. And it is so close to Kennedy and Murtha as well. I will not lie I did shed a few tears this morning, and I wish his friends and family well.  

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  
He's a neighbor of mine, and my wife said he was on his feet a few days ago......
Byrd lived in our neighborhood, 4 blocks away, and his house was on the main drag where no one can go without passing by it.  We were driving home a few days ago when my wife claimed to see him standing outside his house.  I was driving and couldn't look, so I didn't see myself.

It's surreal that he's gone so suddenly, but NOT a surprise.  This was a long time comin'.  He missed most votes and never appeared in the Senate except for the occasional must-have vote, and that made it very obvious his days were numbered.  Anyone in that condition at 92 years old is never going to recover.

I'll be curious what I see at his house on the drive home tonight and going forward, if there is anything to indicate his passing like a flag at half mast or a ribbon or anything else.  I'll pass by it with a feeling of sadness.  I never met him or spoke to him, he was a stranger, but still as a neighbor I feel a certain sadness.

43, male, Indian-American, Democrat, VA-10

[ Parent ]
Perhaps
you can leave flowers by the gate, that is what we did when Governor O'Bannon died (I live in his town).

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  
[ Parent ]
Extraordinary career
Yes, his career will long be studied and remembered as emblematic of the many changes that took place during his lifetime. But I did expect him to pass away during this term of office, so I really am not the least bit surprised, although I would not have wished it.

"I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!"
--  Will Rogers  
[ Parent ]
Hopefully
this is not too early but are we for sure that Manchin will run? I mean, everyone thought Beau Biden in Delaware would run and I am just wondering if this is a hundred percent. Who runs if he declines?


Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  
The difference here is Manchin controls the situation
If Manchin wants to run in 2012, then he appoints a caretaker like former Gov. Bob Wise.  If he doesn't want to run, then he appoints someone who he thinks can win in 2012.  
[ Parent ]
Wise
left in disgrace didn't he? A sex scandal or something I think.  

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  
[ Parent ]
Just looked him up on Wikipedia and you are right
I mainly meant someone like a Wise-type figure--former high ranking official who wouldn't run for re-election.  
[ Parent ]
I think Politico said that he set up a Federal PAC
Because of that I'd say it is all but guaranteed that Manchin will run. Even if there was no PAC, the circumstances make it much more likely he would run than Beau Biden.

First of all, Manchin is term limited in 2012 as Governor and presumably he wants to continue in some type of political office. Biden was only in his first term as attorney general and he could run again.

Second, Shelly Moore Capito, the strongest Republican in WV, is no where near as formidable as Mike Castle. She only represents 1/3 of the state and the other two congressinal districts are heavily Democratic (not at the presidential level but definitly at the state and local level). She has not announced yet (unlike Castle who did announce although it wasn't right away). She wouldn't scare Manchin away as Castle did for Biden. Rather I think its the other way around: Capito will only run for the Senate if Manchin skips, otherwise she will likely run for governor.

Third, Manchin is older than Beau Biden and I don't think he could wait another cycle to run unlike Biden. Manchin is 62, Biden is only 41. If Manchin passed on the Senate race it would mean he is retiring from politics altogether, but I don't think that is likely to happen.  

Also even if Manchin doesn't run and Capitio does, Democrats have such a strong bench (and Capitio not so overwhelmingly strong) that they would be competitive, not like in Delaware in which Castle is the overwhelming favorite.

Byrd's succession
First of course, condolences to R Byrd's family.

The more prominent democrats from West Virginia (without J Rockefeller):

GOVERNORS:

1.- Joe Manchin: (1947) Governor 2005- . Secretary of State 2001-05.
2.- Hulett Smith: (1918) Governor 1965-69. More than 90 years old.
3.- Gaston Caperton: (1940) Governor 1989-97. Living in NY?
4.- Robert Wise: (1948) Governor 2001-05. US House 1983-01. Scandals.

US HOUSE:

5.- Nick Rahall: (1949) US House 1977- .
6.- Alan Mollohan: (1943) US House 1983-11. Lost for the US House against Oliverio.
7.- Harley Staggers: (1951) USH House 1983-93. Lost for the US House against Mollohan.
8.- Ken Hechler: (1914) US House 1959-77. WV Secretary of State 1985-01. Lost for Governor against J Rockefeller. Lost for the US House against Rahall and Capito (R). More than 90 years old.
9.- John Hutchinson: (1935) US House 1980-81. Lost for the US House against Staton (R).

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS AND PRESIDENTS OF THE STATE SENATE:

10.- Earl Tomblin: (1952) Lieutenant Governor 2000- . President of WV Senate 1995- .
11.- Keith Burdette (1955) President WV State Senate 1989-95.
12.- Ralph Bean: (1912) President WV State Senate 1953-61. More than 90 years old. Living?.
13.- Lloyd Jackson: (1918) President WV Setate Senate 1969-71. More than 90 years old.
14.- Warren McGraw: (1939) President WV State Senate 1981-85. Lost for lower level offices.

OTHER STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICES:

15.- Glen Gainer: (1960) WV State Auditor 1993- .
16.- Natalie Tennant: (19??) WV Secretary of State 2009- .
17.- John Perdue: (1950) WV State Treasurer 1996- .
18.- Darrel McGraw: (1936) WV Attorney General 1993- .
19.- Gus Douglass: (19??) WV Commissioner of Agriculture 1964-89 1993- . Lost for Governor against Carpeton.

I'm wrong in some data, tell me please.

After see find and see that, I think J Manchin should appoint himself as the successor of R Byrd.

I think would be understandable because he is by large the strongest candidate. I would support, despite he is more conservative than me by decent margin.

I like not placeholders. I wish not more problems with the appointment of low level politicians for the vacant seats in the senate.

West Virginia would have fast the strongest democratic senator and a new incumbent governor for 2012 what is so strong too (E Tomblin). This would be the easier, fast and effective way of solve the succession.

Manchin's Said He Won't Appoint Himself
So it will definitely be a placeholder.

I don't understand why you'd cross out Gaston Caperton. He'd make lots of sense as an appointee (though I don't know that he's close to Manchin), and he has a residence in WV. Tomblin might be a possibility. Perdue is going to run for governor so it's unlikely to be him. Tennant might run for governor too, and besides, Manchin likely wouldn't take the chance on appointing a potential political competitor. If I was betting on who it will be I might instead look to a current or former Manchin staffer (Carte Goodwin?) or someone who's similarly close to the governor.  

[ Parent ]
I read Caperton lives in New York.

Just I put the "?" because I know not exactly if he can be appointed, and if he can run for senate living in New York. After read some things about I have tendency to think he can not be appointed, but like I tell I'm not totally sure.

[ Parent ]
The trouble here

The trouble here is find the person what can defeat Moore Capito (R) in the next election (for senate and for governor).

I think Manchin can.
Caperton seems out West Virginia.
Rahall seems not enough strong after his last primary for defeat Moore-Capito.
Tomblin can have a chance if run as incumbent governor.

The easiest, fast and more effective way for keep Moore-Capito out of the senate and the governors office what will be open in 2012 if nothing change, seemms to have Manchin as incumbent senator and Tomblin as incumbent governor.

If Manchin would appoint himself we can have both things in one week. And trouble solved. I would support that. No problem for me with a self-appointment.

[ Parent ]
They tried that
in Minnesota. The DFL governor arranged for his lt. gov to take his place when he appointed himself to the senate. It blew up in his face when election time rolled around, the DFL lost the governor's seat, and both senate seats over outrage over that deal. It sounds good on paper, but its sleazy to the public.

19, Male, Independent, CA-12
[ Parent ]
I think that would be well explained
If the people want to have J Manchin as senator a self-appointment can be not bad.

I think was not obvious like now in West Virginia what the governor Wendell Anderson was the strongest democrat in Minnesota in 1976. At least Wendell Anderson select himself over:

1.- Orville Freeman: (1918-2003) Secretary of Agriculture 1961-69. Governor 1955-61. (58 years old in 1976)
2.- Eugene McCarthy: (1916-2005) Senator 1959-71. US House 1949-59. (60 years old in 1976)
3.- Karl Rolvaag: (1913-1990) Governor 1963-67. MN Lieutenant Governor 1955-63. Personal troubles. (63 years old in 1976)

When they are more politicians in the same or higher level is not elegant appoint himself, giving himself this advantage, but I think this is not the case now in West Virginia. If you add to this, the first election of Wendell Anderson as incumbent senator was in 1978, the mid-term elections under Carter administration, is not difficult understand the results of this wrong shelf-appointment. I would be opposed too.

It would be more difficult for Manchin explain a self-appointment if Caperton can be appointed, but if he can not be appointed, and the people want to have J Manchin as senator, he would can self-appoint without appear as a person without enough ethic level. I would understand. Better to have Manchin than a low level placeholder.

[ Parent ]
Holy crap
there are so many of them that are 90+ years old!

This state must be doing something right...

party: Democratic, ideology: moderate, district: CT-01

[ Parent ]
Given this is West Virginia....
...is it really fair to exclude those over 90? ;)

NY-13, Democrat. Blog @ http://infinitefunction.wordpr...
[ Parent ]
You can think I doubt very much about it while I was making the list

A 90+ years old person like the former governor Hulett Smith can be the perfect placeholder, but I know not about his health (and the health of the other 90+ years old politicians).

I would wish not take the risk of signal as appointable a person with Alzheimer or something like that.

[ Parent ]
Rest in peace, Senator
and this time you can rest with the assurance that your party will do what it can to avoid screwing up the way we did with your late colleague's seat!

Thank you for your service to your country as a political leader.  Your personal transformation, as others have noted in this thread, often reflected the changing attitudes of the country, such as in your going from a Klan member to a strong supporter of civil rights.

As with Teddy, we cannot hope to replace you completely, but we can try our best to live up to your legacy and continue your work.

party: Democratic, ideology: moderate, district: CT-01

A really fascinating guy.
I remarked back when Jesse Helms died that he and Byrd make for an interesting case study in opposites.  Byrd represented to a remarkable degree the old USA (and the South in particular) coming to terms with the past and trying to work for a better future.  Would anyone have imagined that the man who tried to filibuster the 1964 Civil Rights Act would earn a 100% from the NAACP, or endorse a black man for president?
How about
Endorsing a black man almost immediately after his state voted 2-1 against him in the primary?

Politics and Other Random Topics

24, Male, Democrat, NM-01, Chairman of the Atheist Caucus, and Majority Leader of the "Going to Hell" caucus!

[ Parent ]
That's Not a Profile In Courage
Endorsing the certain-to-be presidential nominee of your party isn't courageous, especially not when no one would even notice it since your state had already voted in its primary. Now if he'd joined the state's other senior-citizen white guy and endorsed him in strong Clinton country before the primary, that would have been courageous.
[ Parent ]
RIP
To a great Senator and American legend.
Anne Barth?
Just throwing her name into the mix of possible appointees. True she lost by a lot to Rep. Capito in '08, but she was a longtime Byrd staffer so she might make sense as the placeholder. Plus it might set her up for a stronger run in '12 when Rep. Capito might well be vacating her seat to run for either governor or senator.
Good shout

[ Parent ]
She is considered a strong candidate
The names mentioned if the election were held this year and Manchin didn't run were her and Rahall, so she is part of the discussion I assume.  
[ Parent ]
Or:
How about Rep. Alan Mollohan? Do you think there's a chance Manchin would appoint him to be the placeholder, then have the 1st congressional district vacant for a few months?
[ Parent ]
I thought
that too, but Mollohan has the taint of corruption surrounding them. Then again Rolland Burris is in the senate so...

19, Male, Independent, CA-12
[ Parent ]
I dont think thatd happen
From what I read here in the last 2 days, Manchin and Mollohan don't have a very good relationship.  
[ Parent ]
enough strong for defeat Moore-Capito?

I doubt.
[ Parent ]
No
I think only Manchin and maybe Rahall can beat her. Rahall's advantage would be his money. Capito has already beaten her.  
[ Parent ]
To
be fair she kept it closer than most people thought. I would agree that she would probably stand no chance though but she would be a good caretaker I think.

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  
[ Parent ]
Farewell to another very legendary Senator.


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WV-Sen: Robert Byrd Passes Away | 45 comments

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