A grounded Byrd still packs clout

by: Carnacki

Mon Sep 28, 2009 at 08:50:09 AM EDT

Paul Nyden at the Charleston Gazette sees through the concern trolling of the Wall Street Journal:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Some political commentaries, including a recent Wall Street Journal analysis, question how effective Sen. Robert C. Byrd can be after suffering recent health problems, especially in helping pass health-care reform legislation.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told the Charleston Gazette, "As long as Byrd is able to be there, he has enormous influence because of his seniority and stature.

"Living in West Virginia, you know how much he has contributed to the state's economy. Byrd may not be at his peak, but he can deliver more than anybody who could be put in there instead."

Sabato mentioned Paul Kirk, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee chairman, who was just named to succeed Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.

"Paul Kirk is a nice guy. But is he going to deliver anything? Or will the new senator elected [from Massachusetts] in January deliver anything? You can't replace seniority and institutional memory," Sabato said.