Word: byrds
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Only a few weeks ago Carter was vigorously defending Lance ("Bert, I'm proud of you"). But the Budget Director's position deteriorated rapidly just before, during and immediately after the long Labor Day weekend. A trio of Senators played key roles: Majority Leader Robert Byrd of West Virginia; Connecticut Democrat Abraham Ribicoff, chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee; and Charles Percy of Illinois, the committee's top Republican. They argued that prolonging Lance's travail not only would be futile, but could seriously impair the President's ability to promote such Administration priorities as the Panama Canal treaty...
...same Friday that Ribicoff hurried back to the capital, Byrd phoned and asked to see Carter. That was most unusual. Byrd is determined to be the Senate's man, not the President's, and once vowed that he would offer Carter advice only if asked to. In fact, he had never phoned the President before...
...that afternoon. Byrd told the President that the Lance case would not simply fade away, that the OMB director's effectiveness was being "seriously eroded," and that Carter's own reputation and effectiveness were in serious jeopardy. The implication of Byrd's message was that if the President was still loath to fire Lance, he should at least distance himself from his wounded friend...
...Carter repair the leaks? That could depend on how swiftly, and skillfully, he moves to cut his losses. At week's end Senate Majority Leader Byrd reiterated the advice that he had offered the President on Tuesday. Lance "should have his say before the committee and then resign," said Byrd. He added: "It is inevitable that he will resign." Carter's reply, delivered while campaigning in New Jersey for Governor Brendan Byrne, was ambiguous. "I respect the opinion of people like Senator Byrd," said the President, "but I agree with him that Bert ought to have a chance to explain...
...Senate will pose some of the sternest tests for Carter. There his major projects are most in danger of sinking. In the House he can count on the support of Speaker Tip O'Neill. He has no such ally in the upper chamber. Not only is Byrd more aloof and elusive than O'Neill, but the Senate barons who control the important committees owe nothing to Carter, and in some cases are hostile. Where the President needs the most strength, he is the weakest. John Sparkman, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is 77 and too exhausted...