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Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) took control of his own narrative Wednesday by managing a two-hour Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the Iraq war that for the time being silenced critics who say he’s no longer fit to serve as chairman.
Byrd seemed to grasp that what was on the official agenda was not the only topic of the hearing, showing up on time in a crisp suit and displaying a broad smile while an aide wheeled him into the room.
When the hearing ended, his only words for his critics were, “Shut up.” He seemed to pass the test, convincing three Senate Democratic leaders that he’s able to continue as chairman.
Byrd knows that he is the most closely watched senator on Capitol Hill. He is aware that he’s the subject of whispers, private meetings and even a possible coup. Yet he kept his words short after chairing his first Appropriations hearing since September and twice being hospitalized this year. While many showed up to see if Byrd was up to the job, he focused his attention at the hearing on President Bush’s $108 billion supplemental spending request.
For now, his appearance seemed to staunch a flow of speculation about his ability to handle the upcoming appropriations season.
In brief comments after the meeting, Byrd told reporters he is “doing fine,” laughed off a question about his health and said those who question his capacity to lead the committee should “shut up.”
Byrd’s performance was followed by comments from Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
“Today was a good sign,” said Schumer. “Everybody wants Sen. Byrd to recover and get back to running the Appropriations Committee.”
Durbin even lashed out at reporters, calling the attention surrounding Byrd “macabre.”
“This ought to stop. This is not fair. It really isn’t,” Durbin said. “This poor man is working himself as hard as he can, and all you can do is kind of boil the pot a little.”
Prior to the hearing, Reid told reporters that he spoke recently with Byrd and that Byrd assured him that “he’s feeling strong” and will be “back to his old fighting self.”
“We’ll wait and see how that works out,” Reid said.
Afterward, Reid’s spokesman said the majority leader thought Byrd did a “commendable job.”
Behind the scenes, one Democratic source agreed the close-up view of Byrd “eases immediate concern.”
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