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One big, big benefit of Byrd retiring at his age would be .... he won't be around for very long to collect that great pension senators receive (plus medical benefits).

If he were a commercial pilot he would have been FORCED to retire many many years ago. Retire and let some forward thinking person have a chance. How much more "sick" time do you have left this year from your "job" before YOUR employer terminates you like would happen to us in the same predicament. WE DON'T get unlimited time off for sickness, why should you???

If there ever was an arugment for TERM LIMITS.

This OLD COOK and Teddy (I'm sober now) Kennedy should resign or be "recalled".

Sen. Byrd is old, but he's not stupid. He was one of the few in the Senate who stood up in 2002 and said that invading Iraq is a really dumb idea. 91 is probably time to hang it up though.

I thought I saw him still in his hospital sheets

I hope we all live that long, on the other hand with Obama in charge...

There are mandatory retirement rules in nearly all industries and public service. Can't we impose the same rules on politicians that our own bosses impose on us at work?

Meh. He may be more conservative than most Democrats, but I like his enthusaism.

Besides, the GOP is simply barbaric.

I wish the man no ill will. Its sad that he won't return the favor, and resign. Ultimately, its all about whose needs are being met. Mine, or his. Clearly, he cares more about himself.

REALITY CHECK:

If Mr. Byrd were not a Senator and Obama's healthcare plan was in place, he would not be alive since there will be rationing based on age, not on contributions to society.

Retire Byrd!

It would be a pity if he has a flashback of one of the blazing "grand old parties", and I'm not speaking of the GOP.

Him and Kennedy need to just go

He lived long enough to see his boy-'hood' dream come ture courtesy of the Democrtic party and the Democrat voters who support them.

Without their division tactics, we may have been very very close to Dr. King's dream by now.

God Speed Mr. Byrd. Come on back home and enjoy the mountains for a while. You've done your part.

I like the guy. But he 91 and trying to be strong, but he has to give it up. Term limits are in order.

With all due respect...this man is TOO OLD to be in politics. I'm sorry, but too old is too old. Can't this guy retire and take up some cause besides babysitting the Senate?

Senator Byrd was elected fair and square. If he wasn't worth voting for he would be retired and by my calculations that would have put him, what – in his 80's last time around? Last time I checked we still vote in this country. People are clamoring for change all over this country but I don't see more youthful people being as dedicated to their nation as Sen. Byrd. Quit whining for someone to fix the problem and become part of the solution. Join the Army today! Sorry, little bias there.

I agree that Byrd should resign and should have a LONG time ago. He's tying up a job that someone younger could use! All of these senior citizens who don't HAVE to work should retire and give these jobs to people who NEED them!

He was in the hospital?

its nice to hear he is better, but how and why is he still serving in the senate? byrd is a good argument for why we need term limits. 50 years? even the president can only serve for 8 yrs. it is time for the senator to retire.

We have term limits...they are called ELECTIONS!

If the senator or representative is not doing a good job, then don't re-elect them. If they are doing their job, then keep them.

Obviously, we do have gerrymandered districts for the House, but Senators are elected by the whole state, conservative and liberal districts.

The people in WV can keep Sen. Byrd as long as they want. He will eventually pass away, as all humans do, but if the people of WV want to reward him by keeping him in the senate as a figurehead then let them.

Thanks!

Hey Byrd ... time to fly away ... far, far away from the Senate. Give it up, old boy!

If he were a typical 91 year old senior he would not have been allowed to be in the hospital for 6 weeks. They would have sent him to a nursing home to recover since Medicare or even the supplimental insurance some seniors can afford wouldn't allow such a long hospital stay.

With that said, I remember President Obama promising each American would get the SAME insurance that their representatives got in Congress. We shall see Mr. President will we?

50 years in the Senate is enough. He should resign if he cannot
resume his duties for the state of West Virginia. A new election is
also called for in Minn. and stop the silly marathon there. Let the
voters choose and not judges or canvassing boards!

Dinosaur.... Every highway in WV is named after this guy. This is the shining example of a career politician that has made a career out milking the tax payer. Dodd, Kennedy, Byrd, Kerry, McCain, Pelosi, Frank, Waxman and the list goes on and on regardless of party affiliation. CLEAN HOUSE IF YOU WISH ANY PORTION OF OUR COUNTRY BACK IN 2010 AND 2012!

Term limits in Congress will slow down Congress; think we're efficient now? No? Yeah, it will only get worse. It takes a long time to work out the ins and outs of Congress so for all you ignorant morons basing you're arguments off one person, please, stop voting, you're ruining it for the rest of us.

the old face of the democrat senate ,,, byrd ..the new,,, face.... al franken ...gulp...........

Term limits, anyone?

4 terms in the senate (24 years!) should be long enough for anybody.

He was released last week. Someone just told him.

grandpa should be at home cleaning his teeth not making laws and making new policy. What a joke the US system is.

EX-Perts? Pert-aining to what? Ex-comunicate. Explain???

Good. Now quit pressing your luck and retire.

At age 91 Byrd needs to stay home not only to recuperate but to sit in his rocking chair on the front porch. He can be just as much help by waving at people as they pass by than feeling a chair in the Senate. He is too old and from the way he looks and acts he is a liability. I am glad he has lived to be 91 but his time is over and he needs to stay home and smell the roses before it is too late and he is no longer able to smell from the grave. Anyone as oild as that is not good for our coun try. People his age do not always have good circulation and bklood may not be getting to his brain as well to enable him to make good decisions. Please retire him.

Se. Byrd, we've done noble for our nation; a service you loved for a nation you cherish. Please consider retiring as soon as possible. Your health and age are crying for rest.

God Bless and get well soon Senator Byrd!

Re Perry: Why would he need medicare when all leaders in congress have the best heathcare coverage paid for by the tax payers...Where have you've been lately. That's why the Repuklicans don't care if we have 45+ million people without insurance. It's us who pay for the people who have no health coverage with higher costs and less coverage. I total agree with some of the comments that there SHOULD be TERM limits. God knows that he is way too old to serve and we need fresh young blood in congress who are up with the times. Not living in the 19th or 20th century.

Without all do respect, you reah the ripe age of seventy five, it is time to go home write, rock the grands, plant a garden, advise, America's employment rate would improve

Forget term limits....they're unconstitutional...go after the idiots who keep re-electing him.

"a free thinking american" – you have some nerve calling people 'democratic hate spewers" mere sentences after starting your post with "he should die"...regardless of whether you so un-classily followed it up with 'not really' means nothing – check yourself ignoramous.

get well soon Senator Bird – West Virginians are all thinking of you.

Term and Age limit to sanitize the senate from the doldrums of the past century.I am not surprise that the senate is the bestion of what is not America.TERM LIMIT PLEEEEAAASSSSEEEE.....

Retry...America was a lot better off with him and Teddy in the hospitals.

I think the constitution is backwards...

House members should be able to serve as many terms as their constituants want, but the Senate should have the two term limits...

The Senate is were all the "bottle-necks" in regards to legislation and too many of the only 100 Senators nationwide have been in way too long and are too corrupt...

The House represents the people, they should be able to stay as long as they are still serving their people... the Senate is nothing but the billionaires club who only serve themselves... They should be subject to term limits!

Sen Byrd... glad you are OK, but please step down and give some new ideas a chance...

Is it really fair to the people of West Virginia that they be represented by someone that is not capable of being present in order to vote on all of the important bills that need to be passed at this time? This man needs to stop being so selfish and retire.

the old fool should go home.
When in the hell has he been in touch with what is going on.

He needs to retire. A 91 year old senator seems a bit out of touch if not senile.

And the democrats say McCain is too old...

get well mr. byrd.

Why is he still in the Senate? He need to retire from politics before he retire from life.

Sen Byrd it's time to retire, give it up. This is good example why the Senate and Congress need term limited

What the heck. With 99 excellent senators, this one can just fill the seat 'til he's 100!

We wish the Senator well, and we wish that he vacates his seat in the next election to let someone younger/healthier take over.

I am glad to hear that the Mr. Byrd is out of the hospital and resting, but there really should be term limits. He really should think about retiring.

Age Limit sounds like a good idea. Senator Byrd needs to retire for the sake of his family and his health. It would be good for him anyway. Let's hope he recovers very well. God Bless Him.

Hey, the guy has earned our national respect for endurance – but am I the only one who thinks he should probably call it quits and let the Gov appoint someone who can carry the torch? I doubt he'll be back on the Senate floor anytime soon and his caucus needs a fully participating member...

And I'm a Democrat! I just think it is time for CHANGE! We need fresh blood and current ideas... not a dotering old man helping to run our country! I am sure there is a well qualified Democrat that can be found to take his place!

I really having nothing against an elected official serving office for mulitple terms but this guy has taken it to the exteme. Time for him to resign.

91 years old and STILL in our government? Give it a break! When will there be term limitations?! These old coots retard the movement toward change and only insure that we do not move forward politically! It's the 21st century! Do we really need the outdated ideas in philosophy of the EARLY 20th Century and a senile old man? I DON'T think SO! It is time for fresh blood in the Senate and ALL our governing offices!

Byrd is a good example of why both Houses should have term limits.
Long ago, he reached his level of incompetence!

Did he have a private room covered by medicare?

Not to be mean or anything, but shouldn't there be term limits, or age limits? I understand that he's serving our country, but 91 years old is a little much isn't it?

I am glad he will return to the Senate after the break, but he really should think of retiring.

mr. byrd you have been my sentor for a long time. due to your age and health please set down. thw Wv people thank you for your time and great help to the state. now is the time for you to look after yourself.

And this is the Health care that the Republicans say the American people like?? Heard too many stories like this.

I am glad Senator Bird will home with his family for the July 4, 2009 holidays.

Senator Bird isn't it time you think about retiring?

Term Limits.

He should die...not really, but watch the libs defend him to the death while wishing the demise of every Republican out there.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Sen Byrd. As a Republican, I wish you the best health and speedy recovery.

How's that for class you Democratic hate-spewers?

Not one of you would ever raise your level of classiness to that if a Republican was sick, would you?

Regardless of how fit an individual is, there should be an age limit on federal elected officials.

Senator Byrd is an example of why age limits should be set for members of Congress. No way can this man make good decisions. He should step down for the good of everyone.
E. Wiggin

He needs to resign – in fact, we need term limits and possibly age limits on our representatives. We seem to get stuck with people that are not up to the job, but their state keeps sending them back to rule the entire country.

He doesn't look a day over 100...

Embalm him and get it over with. Term limits, please. The people of his state - and this country - deserve better than a stuffed owl for representation.

He's a tough old ......... Byrd.

Byrd is 91 years old. It is time for WV to retire him and give someone else a chance to serve. Bryd, Kennedy and Spector have turned the US Senate in the world's most expensive nursing home. Byrd thinks he is entitled to the job for life.

Get better soon. God bless!