Robert Byrd, Marking 50 Years in Senate, Has Advice for Obama

It wasn't quite like the night at Camden Yards when Cal Ripken became baseball's Iron Man with his consecutive-games streak, but West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd nonetheless reached a similarly untouchable milestone today when he marked his 50th consecutive year serving in the Senate.

Byrd, now 91, busted out with some of his trademark throwback eloquence, referring to the Senate, whose constitutionally protected autonomy he has long fought to preserve, as "the morning and evening star in the American constitutional constellation," and adding, "I look forward -- yes, I look forward -- to the next 50 years. Amen. Amen."

This week marked another milestone for Byrd -- the paperback publication of his book, "Letter to the New President," in which he set down what he hoped would be timeless advice for whomever would succeed George W. Bush, drawing on his decades in Washington and personal relationships with 11 different presidents.

The book was published in hardcover last year, but was based on a series of conversations I had with Byrd (as co-author) the year before -- well in advance of Obama's historic path through the primaries and general-election calendar. What's fascinating, then, is how often the book tracks with themes Obama has been hitting in recent weeks.

For example, Obama impressed many with his Election Night speech, widely hailed as one of the best ever by a victorious U.S. presidential candidate. That night, Obama declared, "(W)hile the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, 'We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.' And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -- I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too."

To readers of the Byrd book, published in hardcover last June and excerpted at Huffington Post, this passage would have held pleasant echoes of Byrd's advice in the book, in which he wrote, "One of George W. Bush's most grievous failings was the extent to which he acted as if he were the president of only that small portion of the country that voted for him, and that everyone else was somehow un-American and rude if they declined to give him unconditional love and support. You, dear president, are the president of every single American."

Obama clearly would have struck his graceful note of inclusion on Election Night with or without suggestions from Senator Byrd or anyone else, but as we as a nation hold our breaths, waiting at long last for this interminable interregnum to be over, for Obama to be in and Bush to be out, it's worth mulling over one Washington veteran's views of the challenges Obama will face -- not only this month, but for years to come.

Given the multiple crises awaiting President Obama, he will inevitably fall short on some promises. There is also room for great optimism based on Obama's strong handling of the transition so far and the sense that he is growing in stature before our eyes. Still, the White House pressure-cooker, once he enters it, can force a thoughtful man -- or woman -- to obsess on the current news cycle, at the expense of long-range thinking, let alone vision.

So here's hoping that Obama keeps in mind Senator Byrd's advice in his short chapters on "LET THE PRESS DO ITS JOB, EVEN WHEN THAT MIGHT STING," 'WE CAN DO BETTER THAN PHOTO-OP DIPLOMACY," AND "DON'T FORGET THE BASICS: HAVE THE PATIENCE TO REFLECT," the last chapter of the book, in which Byrd advises:

"One has to guard against the acceleration of everything in our culture, including thought itself. America has become a place obsessed with speed. We rush to eat, we rush to work, we rush to sleep, we rush to get from one place to another. No one wants to hear an old man complaining about being out of step with the latest technologies, but we can and should ask ourselves about the price we pay for this constant acceleration. My idea of reading involves marking my progress through a good book by feeling the pages against my fingertips. It should take some time to read or to engage in meaningful conversation, and in both cases, if we are in a rush, thinking we have all the answers, we will be deaf to a capacity for surprise. Nothing could be more damaging to the soul."

Comments

[carolt71]

My sincere congratulations to Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia and everything he has done for both the state and the people. As a parent of an adult with autism I would like to say thank you on behalf of individuals with autism, their parents, educators, and caregivers for the continued support he has given to them over the years. His door was always open and his understanding and sensitivity to the needs of individuals with special needs was a given. Again, thank you for your concern and support over the years.

[bowebb]

Byrd has brought a lot of needed federal highway funds to WV, but that's about it. He continues to support the most destructive mining practice known to man in the form of mountain top removal. After a citizen of the Coal River Valley walked all the way from Chas. WV to Byrd's office in DC to ask him for his help in building a new school for the kids at Marsh Fork Elementary located in Sundial, WV, Byrd prayed, cried, and promised to "leave no stone unturned". The kids and staff at this school are being forced to attend a school that is surrounded by a mountain top removal mine, a coal processing prep plant and 2.8 billion gallon toxic sludge dam. After Byrd shed his tears for the cameras he did a disappearing act and hasn't been heard from since. Repeated phone calls to his office are ignored.
Here is a link to what Byrd turned his back on.
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/569546785WpgIBU
I have very little respect if any at all for this man.

[stringbead]

I will never ever forget Senator Byrd's comments in the Senate on the eve of the war in Iraq. He calls it his "We Stand Passively Mute" speech. He stood up for our men and women in the service. He stood up for America. And he stood up for the world when he cautioned against the Bush doctrine. Senator Byrd delved into a few things in his younger years that are viewed today as distasteful, as they should be. I have delved into a few things in my younger years that are viewed today as distasteful, as they should be. Senator Byrd has more than made up for the follies of his early years. I only wish I could say the same thing about myself.

[monman]

I'll never forget the TV interview that one of our local reporters did with Sen. Byrd when the Senate was involved in the "nuclear option" an attempt by the presiding officer of the Senate to end a filibuster by majority vote, as opposed to 60 senators voting to end it. Byrd had gotten into hot water by saying this reminded him of the Nazis in the 1930 taking over the political system in Germany. The reporter asked if Byrd wanted to apologize. His response was a great moment in Senate history: With a look of sheer disdain and disgust on his face, he looked at the reporter and said, "Apologize? Certainly not. I meant every word of that!" (Or something similar, I can't recall exactly). Many politicians would have back paddled, claimed they'd been taken out of context, or otherwise tried to smooth things over. Not Robert C. Byrd, our senator! Huzzah!

[WindyW]

Senator Byrd is such an eloquent man, and he is such an compelling personality with many diverse interests. Somewhere, I actually have an old LP of his fiddle playing, released in 1978 (Robert Byrd: Mountain Fiddler).

He has been wonderful for our state. I have written to his office numerous times to share my opinion as a constituent, and once for assistance. He was the only elected official to respond not only to my initial query, but also to follow up with me to let me know what he'd done on my behalf.

I'll look forward to reading his book.

[kycol]

Senator Byrd appointed my father, The Rev. Carol B. Smith of Charles Town W.V., as Honorary Chaplin of the United States Senate. As part of the process, my father opened a session of the Senate with a prayer. His family, including myself, were invited to attend the session and have a tour of the Capitol and dinner with the Senator. The morning of the prayer, Senator Byrd had to chair a very important meeting of the Appropriations Committee and asked Senator Inoway to introduce my father to the Senate. We were in the visitor"s balcony. After delivering the prayer, my father was escorted from the floor. We were escorted from the balcony down to the lobby behind the senate hall. As we arrived there, Senator Byrd also arrived. He shook my father"s hand and said, "You thought I missed your prayer but I was listening to it on the TV." He then repeated every word of my father"s prayer. Each state is allowed two statues in Statuary Hall outside the Senate Chambers. Only one statue now represents west Virginia. Senator Byrd should be the second one represented there. There has never been a better champion of the state.

[JaneyB]

I am a loyal West Virginian and I missed by 5 months being able to vote for Senator Byrd the first time he ran for Congress. I have been impressed by his knowledge of the Constitution and his service to this country through all these years. Both my children and their spouses work at the F. B. I. center in Clarksburg and I fear they wouldn't have been able to stay in WV if the F. B. I. hadn't come here.
I wish there were a requirement for all the people in Congress and the courts to take a course on the Constitution of the US. It might put a stop to some of the idiotic interpretations of issues that come before the courts and the Congress.
I voted for Barack Obama and look forward to the next eight years and hopefully, the return of this country to past glories!!

[napapjd]

Much here on how the new president should conduct himself, and it's all good stuff. But I'm wondering how CONGRESS should act, especially in the crucial final days of the president-electency (is that what it's called?) and the early days of the Obama presidency. It's vital that Congress not fall into its old ways here of delaying, turf-protecting and dithering. I understand there are institutional prerogatives, but this is a dire situation. If Congress could wink, nod and pull out the ol" rubber stamp for Bush"s various assaults on the Constitution in the wake of September 11, surely it can be accommodating to the new president and get legislation on his desk promptly to deal with the economic crisis.

[Steve Kettmann - Huffpost Blogger]

Good point. Byrd does talk in the Letter to the New President about the role of Congress, especially the Senate, but not at great length. It would be nice to see a former President (Jimmy Carter perhaps?) writing a book of advice to members of Congress. Go ahead and take the idea, Mr. President ...

[VillagesNancy]

I've been impressed by Barack Obama and the way he clearly thinks through problems, rather than just reacting (like someone else we know who lives in the White House!). Senator Byrd's advice to be thoughtful and contemplative even in the glare of the White House is well taken. I read and admired his book, Letter to a New President, and would recommend it to anyone. It's an excellent read, thoughtful and full of historical knowledge.

[BBackSoon]

I have not read the book but I may just have to pick it up. But from reading the excerpts it looks like it might have been written about Obama. Now I know I am counting chickens but from what we have seen in the Primaries and the Election when a predicament would arise the Obama team would take the time to actually examine the situation, develop a plan and then follow that plan. If that meant that they didn"t act until the next day or days then so be it.

In our 24 hours news cycle world this seemed like an interminable wait but when we heard the statement or the plan it was usually a good measured response.

My biggest fear is not of Obama making bad decisions but of lesser people sabotaging his plans.

[Steve Kettmann - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for the comment - and I share your fear. That's why it's such good news that he has (for the most part) surrounded himself with excellent people. I think Rahm, for example, will do an excellent job.

[ReaganDem]

It's a sad thing - no one wants to hear advice from a 91-year-old. That's the culture in which we live. We can be bombarded day and night with insipid quotes from vapid fake celebrities, but ... if someone has actually developed some wisdom about matters of state, you can rest assured that will be considered boring, boring, boring by the big thinkers at CNN and other cable news outlets. Here's hoping a few people will pause to consider Byrd's advice.

[BobGee]

What a wonderful reference to a man who is the epitome of honesty and integrity, Senator Byrd. His wisdom as accumulated in fifty years of service in the Senate might be instilled in that one word: integrity. I think the most pervasive illness in our land for the past few years is the failure of integrity, the breakdown of a moral code where men would once "do the right thing" and now anything goes, as long as you don"t get caught. Thank you, Steve, for reminding us that there is still greatness among us, still honor to be found among men of principle. And I believe that President Obama will be the leader with integrity, doing the "right thing" for all of us, those that have less as well as the have-mores.