Robert Byrd Taken To Hospital After Fall At Home

WASHINGTON — Robert Byrd, the longest serving senator in history, was admitted to a Washington-area hospital Tuesday after a fall at his home in northern Virginia.

The 91-year-old West Virginia Democrat was admitted to the hospital after blood tests showed his white-blood cell count was high, which raised the possibility of an early-stage infection.

"His doctors have determined that Byrd should remain in the hospital for antibiotic treatment and observation," said a statement from Byrd's office.

Byrd had been transported to the hospital after a minor fall at his home, spokesman Jesse Jacobs said. He suffered no broken bones or bruises.

Byrd has been in frail health in recent years and was hospitalized in May and June with dangerous infections. But he returned to the Senate in July to vote and earlier this month gave his first floor speech in months, where he talked about the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy.

The statement said Byrd is in good spirits but that he was disappointed he was unable to come to the Senate for its official photo.

Comments

[RealityBaseCamp]

I ask again, do the far righteous expect us to throw out Byrd because he USED to be a Conservative?

[reader110]

Guess it's a good thing he has insurance.

[ladyvoter]

Senator Byrd is a true statesman. Thank goodness he has a public option healthcare plan. I will pray for him. He is one of the few honest people in the United States Senate.

[behindEnemyLines]

Maybe he tripped propping up a burning cross?

[Louisknyc]

Why doesnt this guy retire? He's doing his constituents a disservice. I mean at 91, his faculties have to have slipped...normal human function.

[addg]

Sure, he's old but he was the only senator who stood up and delivered an impassioned speech in March 2003 against the war in Iraq:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxWfawiufK0

As someone who was raised in WV I was very proud that day.

[marirose]

I'm not from WV but that was a proud moment for me as an American. The deafening silence of the other senators was shameful though, eh? A true leader. Heal well, Senator.

[Forester]

Sen Byrd is a living link to our history, and a fine example of how an elected politician can actually evolve with the times. As to whether there should be an age limit for senators, I would favor a performance evaluation, also known as an election to determine that. I would also favor massive campaign finance reform and my own personal island with 100 young female attendants, but that is just as likely.

[FidelNegro]

Why do we have politicians this old?

[Weirdwriter]

Because people keep re-electing them.

[BlueZoo]

This man has dug into every one of your taxpayer pockets every chance he got! He isn't known as "Mr. Pork" for nothing! West Virginia receives more tax dollars than any other state because of Byrd! He is a known avowed racist and never met a taxpayer dollar he didn't like! He no longer reads the bills put before him and doesn't understand them. He votes the way he is told to vote and he no longer belongs in the Senate, if indeed he ever did! At 91, NO politician belongs in any capacity representing the people!

[Weirdwriter]

1) Sen. Byrd long ago vigorously disavowed his earlier racist associations.
2) West Virginia is a poor state. The man has made no bones about getting as much for it as he can
3) He has been in office a long time because the majority of his constituents want him there.

The rest of your charges need evidence before they can be credible enough for answers.

[JakeMontero]

tripped on his white rope

[aramos]

Next stop, a private meeting with Ted.

[judesuper]

I KNOW, I KNOW he's a dem and we need his vote to pass health care reform. I wish him a speedy recovery. But....

can't these guys ever retire? Come on, give someone else a chance to serve your state. There are just too many "lifers" in both houses of congress.

If you have served more than three terms, you need to go. This country needs some new young bold ideas. No wonder nothing ever gets accomplished. These folks are living in the past.

[Weirdwriter]

His constituents keep electing him and not younger opponents so he must be doing something they like.

[AtheistUS]

I wish him very well.

From 2002, Senator Byrd: "Let us stop, look and listen. Let us not give this president or any president unchecked power. Remember the Constitution."

He was one of 23 senators that voted against Authorization of force resolution - simply speaking, against Iraq war. Not so many of democratic establishment passed that test.

[AnalyzeIT]

Aaaaaaaaaaah, what a good man. Mend fast ad well 'old byrd' we need you.

[fallingsky]

The real reason he fell was he was watching Letterman and saw that the POTUS is black

[primeelite]

Would be funny if Byrd didn't endorse Obama over Hilary in the primary and also have a 100% rating with the NAACP.

[SantaFeConservative]

Because he still says colored people?