Spokesman says Sen. Robert C. Byrd hospitalized

WASHINGTON — Sen. Robert C. Byrd was hospitalized Monday night at his doctor's urging after suffering from lethargy and sluggishness at the Capitol and, later, at his home, a spokesman for the 90-year-old Democrat said.

Press secretary Jesse L. Jacobs said the West Virginia senator would be in the hospital overnight for observation.

Byrd, who is the longest-serving senator in history, voted during a 5:30 p.m. roll call Monday, then went home. Jacobs said the senator began to feel ill less than an hour later.

He was found to have a fever, and at his doctor's request he was taken to a nearby hospital.

Jacobs added that he didn't know which hospital Byrd was taken to.

Byrd was hospitalized March 5 for tests after a reaction to antibiotics. A week earlier he was hospitalized at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after a fall at home.

Last month, Byrd gave an emotional speech on the Senate floor after hearing the news that Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., had a malignant brain tumor. Kennedy, 76, underwent 3 1/2 hours of risky brain surgery at Duke University Medical Center on Monday, an operation his surgeon pronounced a success.

Byrd has become significantly more frail _ and sometimes prone to emotional outbursts _ since Erma, his wife of almost 69 years, died two years ago. Earlier this year, rumors swirled that fellow Democrats thought Byrd was too feeble to remain at the helm of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Byrd silenced the whispering campaign with a strong performance at a hearing in April.

Comments

[AnnArky]

The only Man in Congress who can truly be called a Hero and a Patriot. The only Man . . . . .

[lakat]

I would nominate Russ Feingold and Dennis Kucinich as well as Senator Byrd. There are a few others but these stand out as vocal defenders of the constitution. Among the hundreds there, pretty slim pickins. (Kucinich carries the constitution in his pocket too, fyi)

[springsm]

Oh I am sorry about this. I hope he lasts til the end of this session. I don't worry about his age except for health. He is alert enough to do what he has to do...and with the exception of Ted Kennedy's illness speech, he is still very eloquent on the floor. His speech offering on the Constitution months ago was worthy of greatness. At his age, nothing is minor but I do hope this is.

[cultkicker]

I worry this is Bushco's last gasp.... offing all those who oppose his evil. General Odom just passed yesterday, and he was against Bush's immoral war for oil and corporate profits, now Senator Byrd is sick. I hope I'm just being paranoid and this won't turn out to be a pattern. God Bless you Senator, and may you get well soon. Humanity needs you and dozens more just like you desperately.

[research]

Yup, Get out the old microwave CIA covert weapons...

Then Again, he is 90.

Good health, senator.

[lorla]

Senator Byrd may want to resume work if he can, in light of the fact his wife passed away, and he might be more lonely without work.
Senator Kennedy, on the other hand, should be encouraged to spend the rest of his time with his family. His condition is serious. He and his brothers have given their lives to us as public servants.
Let his family enjoy him and take care of him.
Best wishes to both.

[paganmist]

Wow.

To see the transformation a human being can make from someone devoted to hate, to someone full of love, is the most brilliant thing we can witness. To maintain that transformation throughout one's life is even more beautiful. I have so much respect for this man.

All my love, Senator.

Get well soon.

[Krikkit]

Senator Byrd was NEVER devoted to hate. Stop that slander right now.

Check your history books. When Byrd joined the kkk as a young man, he didn't adhere to its principles. It was a damn political social club and the only way into the political network of the time. Byrd has always worked tirelessly for the benefit of all for his entire career.

[paganmist]

Uhm.

This isn't really the thread to go into this. I don't really want to dredge up in detail his past, and was focusing on how he changed his life.

But I also don't like being told that I'm spreading slander. Google the letter that he wrote to Sen. Bilbo, and also a letter he wrote to a Grand Wizard.

With all of that - he changed. People make mistakes - wrong choices - hold wrong beliefs. Most people do not change. Only those who are truly spiritually advanced are capable of turning their lives around in such a manner.

Even he acknowledges his intolerance from back then. Don't belittle the nature of his transformation, which is the mark of a great man.

[chinaskee]

So basically you're saying is if it wasn't for a bunch of racists Robert Byrd wouldn't be in the Senate today.

[steamboat]

Krikkit, I got a bridge to sell you.

[RTIII]

As a boy growing up in the south, of Kindergarten age through about third grade or thereabouts, I was the subject of repeated attempts at recruitment on the school playground to join the KKK. The recruitment ploy was to have you go visit some other kids family for a night or weekend sleep-over - "go camping" - and therein they'd indoctrinate you. I heard about it from other kids, who usually encouraged me to join them. I politely declined, MLK having been assassinated somewhere through those years and having afforded my parents a great opportunity to educate me. Eventually, they figured I wasn't joining up and instead I was ostracized and picked on, beaten up a few times...

So, yeah, I can buy that Byrd went through something similar and succumbed to the peer pressure - this was WELL before the civil rights movement, etc, I'm sure.

[DHGallegos]

God Bless . What an amazing man. Best wishes to you and all of your family. The democrats WILL WIN this year

[unity08]

God Bless you Senator Byrd. Rest up now, we need you!

[MissT]

Dear Senator Byrd,
Yours has been a brave voice that we can not afford to lose. Please get well and return to the Senate ASAP.

[nellie]

A man brave enough to admit he's wrong, and strong enough to show his sadness at a friend's illness.

Best wishes. Come back to the senate soon.

[wiseapple]

Get well soon, Senator Byrd. I'll be looking forward to your next 'Friday Lunchtime Chat'.

[rzan]

Please get well, Senator Byrd. We need you.

[MsLiz]

Tough old Byrd.

The good news is no one has put up any rude comments and gotten the comments shut down.

[daddyG56]

Come on "Big Daddy", we need you to get better. Without you, the people of this country would still think West Virginia was still "western Virginia." We WV lovers laugh because 1/2 of the buildings in the state are named after Robert C Byrd, but we know it's because he deserves it. It would be difficult to name a Senator who has fought so hard for his state.

Besides, we need you to fight the latest attack on WV by none other than the VP himself.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/06/dick_cheneys_incest_joke_irks.html

[saun8934]

Hope everything is alright.

[CocteausTwin]

I hope you are able to get a good nights rest, and that all will be well. Anyone that carries a copy of the Constitution in their pocket, is all right in my book.

[GayGrandpa]

God's speed Senator...­don't worry about the Senate, don't worry period. Our prayers, and love are with you. We lift you up! You are a hero, our hero and you deserve your rest. So please rest and recoup, all will be well. God will stand in your stead and all will be well. Don't worry just get well, get well soon! We lift you up! You and Teddy have been beacons...­you both deserve you R and R. Our prayers are with you both!