Breaking: Byrd may voluntraily step down From Appropriations Chair

[Perky]

http://www.politico.com/

It is for the best

[SteppingRazor]

1. Voluntarily should probably be in air quotes here, but...

you're right. The time had come.

[LSparkle]

2. I applaud Byrd on this ...

I'm glad that Reid isn't pushing him to resign altogether;
Byrd deserves to be able to continue to serve in the Senate
during this momentous time. It's a rare thing to see someone
in D.C. voluntarily give up power (without being shamed or
convicted to do so).

[Renew Deal]

3. Hawaii is making out well on all this news.

Akaka might get Homeland Security and Inouye may get Appropriations

ROBERT C. BYRD
West Virginia, Chairman

DANIEL K. INOUYE
Hawaii

PATRICK J. LEAHY
Vermont

TOM HARKIN
Iowa

BARBARA A. MIKULSKI
Maryland

HERB KOHL
Wisconsin

PATTY MURRAY
Washington

BYRON DORGAN
North Dakota

DIANNE FEINSTEIN
California

RICHARD J. DURBIN
Illinois

TIM JOHNSON
South Dakota

MARY L. LANDRIEU
Louisiana

JACK REED
Rhode Island

FRANK R. LAUTENBERG
New Jersey

BEN NELSON
Nebraska

[LSparkle]

5. Inouye who supported Ted Stevens? I dunno about that ...

If they want a totally NEW day, it ought to go to someone
younger (and less loyal to the old pork barrel guard).

[Renew Deal]

6. That list is in rank order.

So next is Leahy, but I think he runs judiciary. Then Harkin. I can live with either of those.

EDIT: The next in line without a current chairmanship is Mikulski.

[kwolf68]

4. Yep...a new day is coming

Byrd has been one of pork barrells biggest champions and we simply need a new way of thinking in DC.