Oldest US Senator hospitalized after fall

[Ed Mahmoud]

Robert Byrd, third in line of succession for the US Presidency, and at age 90, oldest man in the Senate, is in Walter Reed hospital after complaining of back pain following a fall.


Byrd has been in either the House or Senate since 1952, making his the second longest term of service in Congress. Byrd began his public life while working as a shipyard welder in 1942 by joining the Ku Klux Klan as an organizer, and eventually became both Exalted Cyclops and Klan Kleagle. In 1946 he won a seat in the West Virginia House of Delegates, and by 1947 was no longer an active member of the Klan

By 1997, however, Byrd said his service in the Klan had been a mistake, and advised all young people to avoid the group.


If Byrd serves until November 19, 2009, he will be the longest serving Congressman in US history, and is already the last Congressman to vote on statehood bills (for Alaska and Hawaii).


Byrd is not the only Senator in the hospital. John Warner (R-VA) is being tested for an irregular heartbeat.

[Ed Mahmoud]

I know what you're thinking- two politicians in the hospital- political thread. No, not at all. Not even with a Klan connection, as the pillow case wearers have not been associated with a political party in six decades. Yes, about 25 years ago David Duke sought (and won, because there wasn't a primary challenger) the Republican nomination for Governor of Florida, but despite Edwin Edward's reputation for being less than 100% honest, Louisiana voters realized electing a guy in sheets would make them a laughing stock, and rejected Duke.


I think Duke is off in la-la land, giving speeches to European "White Power" losers.


Anyway, be cool to see if Byrd can recover and serve another year and a half and break a record. He still has a way to go to match Strom Thurmond's age record in the Senate. Of course, I'm not sure Strom Thurmond knew where he was at the end.


Senator Warner is retiring at the end of his current term. No records for him.

[southerngale]

Keep it to news regarding his health and it's fine. If it turns into a political debate, it's not. It's pretty simple.

[Ed Mahmoud]

Keep it to news regarding his health and it's fine. If it turns into a political debate, it's not. It's pretty simple.

Oh, and I confused Florida with Louisiana. Must have something to do with alligators.

[Ed Mahmoud]

Technically, Texas has alligators as well, especially near Beaumont, but I don't think there has ever been a report of an alligator attack in Texas.


Our alligators are friendly.

[Tstormwatcher]

You know, it's amazing that some people are forced to retire in their 60's but if you work for the government, you can stay there until you die.