Kennedy's Senate Class Full of Lions

(NEWSER) - Senator Robert Byrd wants his colleagues to honor Ted Kennedy by renaming health care legislation in his honor, Politico reports. “As a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling,” said Byrd, 92, himself in poor health. "My heart and soul weeps at the loss of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend." More»

90-year-old colleague weeps on floor of Senate

(NEWSER) - Robert Byrd echoed their Senate colleagues' good wishes for Ted Kennedy as he spoke on the floor of the chamber this afternoon, then broke down as he delivered a tribute to his ailing friend, Politico reports. "Ted, Ted, my dear friend, I love you, and I miss you," the longest-serving Senator, 90, said from his wheelchair. More»

If party elites can't stop Newt, it could be disastrous for GOP: Steve Kornacki

(NEWSER) - If Newt Gingrich manages to defy party elites and score the nomination, it's pretty much "suicide" for Republicans: "Everything about Newt Gingrich screams 'general election disaster,'" writes Steve Kornacki in Salon , from his "personal and ethical baggage" to his "arrogance." Indeed, his favorability score is less than half his 60% unfavorable rating, according to three national polls. Most likely, GOP bosses will manage to get rid of him. But on the other hand, this could be another 1964, with a new Barry Goldwater getting trounced by his Democratic opponent. More»

Scott Brown and Susan Collins wavering

(NEWSER) - Robert Byrd is dead, and the financial reform bill might not be far behind. Byrd’s demise comes just days after the Senate and House had hammered out a final version of the legislation, and dashes hopes that it could be voted on this week. West Virginia’s Democratic governor will almost certainly select a Democrat to fill Byrd’s seat, but that’s unlikely to happen before the Fourth of July recess. More»

The 'astonishing arc' of Robert Byrd's life

(NEWSER) - Robert Byrd, who died today at age 92, rose from a hardscrabble childhood in the coalfields of West Virginia to become the longest-serving member of Congress in history. Those who knew the conservative Democrat remember him as a self-taught man of iron will (he remains the only congressman to have put himself through law school while in office), a fiery orator who spent his almost six decades in Congress delivering as much federal money as possible to his impoverished home state while also defending the legislative branch in the face of expanding presidential power, reports the Washington Post . More»