Byrd answers critics with two words: ‘Shut up’

Even though the topic on the agenda for Wednesday’s Senate Appropriations Committee hearing was Iraq war funding, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) grasped from the moment he arrived that he was the day’s most important subject — and he was ready to make his case.

He arrived on time, wore a crisp suit and entered the room smiling. When he left, after two hours, “Shut up” were the only words he had for his critics. He seemed to pass the test, convincing three Senate Democratic leaders that he’s fit to continue as chairman.

{mosads}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 being twice hospitalized this year. While many showed up to see if Byrd was up to the job, he focused on President Bush’s $108 billion supplemental funding request for the Iraq war during the hearing.

For now, his appearance seemed to staunch a flow of speculation about his ability to handle the upcoming appropriations season. Shortly after the hearing’s completion, he received the backing of the three top Democratic leaders.

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 (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.”

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.