Senator Byrd Will Set Another Record

Congrats to my favorite cranky Senator.

Senator Robert C. Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, who is already the longest-serving senator in United States history, is set to cross yet another milestone of longevity in the legislative branch. On Wednesday, he’ll surpass Carl Hayden as the longest-serving member of Congress in history, combining terms in both the House and Senate.

Mr. Hayden, an Arizona Democrat, served in the House from 1912 to 1927 and in the Senate from 1927 to 1969 for a total of 56 years, 319 days.

Mr. Byrd served in the House from 1953 to 1959, and has been in the Senate ever since. He served as the Democratic leader from 1977 to 1989, about half of that time as the majority leader.

Video- Arlen Specter says GOP is party of obstruction

I hope Sestak wipes the floor with this bozo.

Senate Seats Most Likely to Flip are Democratic

Let's hope things get better fast before next fall, this could be ugly. Via Taegan.

First Read's new 2010 U.S. Senate rankings find the three most likely seats to change hands are Democratic ones held by Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Harry Reid (D-NV), and appointed Michael Bennet (D-CO).

"Still, we can also see Dodd (in deep-blue Connecticut), Reid (without a top-tier challenger), and Bennet (ditto) pull these races out. In short, none is a Rick Santorum circa late '05/early '06, i.e. a dead candidate running. In addition, Republicans still have to deal with open seats in OH, MO, NH and KY -- where Democrats might hold a narrow ideological advantage or have close to a 50%-50% shot. Yet the Republicans' biggest weakness, at least as it stands right now, is how narrow its map is."

Top ten Senate seats most likely to switch parties:

1. Connecticut (D)
2. Nevada (D)
3. Colorado (D)
4. Missiouri (R)
5. New Hampshire (R)
6. Ohio (R)
7. Illinois (D)
8. Lousiana (R)
9. Pennsylvania (D)
10. Kentucky (R)

Other races worth watching: Arkansas (Blanche Lincoln running for re-election), North Carolina (Richard Burr running for re-election), Delaware (if Castle jumps in), North Dakota (if Hoeven runs), and Texas (once Hutchison resigns).

Sen. Kennedy wants state succession law changed

A selfless and aware gesture. And very, very sad.

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who is battling brain cancer, has asked his state’s governor and legislative leaders to change the succession law to ensure Massachusetts has two seats in the Senate, according to The Boston Globe.

(snip)

The letter to Gov. Deval Patrick (D) and the Massachusetts state House and Senate leaders does not mention the healthcare battle over Kennedy’s own health issues, according to the Globe, but makes it clear that Kennedy sees it as vitally important that there be a way to fill a seat more quickly than under his state’s current system.

“I strongly support that law and the principle that the people should elect their senator,’’ Kennedy writes in the letter.

“I also believe it is vital for this Commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election.’’