Senate Dems Byrd Hunting?

The Politico reports today that "A group of Senate Democrats has begun quietly exploring ways to replace the venerable Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee."

But a figure in one scenario of the alleged conspiracy, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., "denied any plan to replace Byrd, adding that she has not been approached by any colleague with such a proposal," The Associated Press reports.

The Politico article said that while "Democratic insiders caution, though, that no decision has been made," there is "is broad discontent among committee members over the way Byrd has run the panel this year and the resulting problems in completing work on the fiscal 2008 spending bills."

"His physical condition has been slowly deteriorating for years, and he cannot walk now without the assistance of aides," that article continues. "Byrd has difficultly running committee hearings, and he relies heavily on staffers for guidance."

Byrd staffers told The Politico that "they had not heard any proposals to oust the senator," and "defended the job he has done under difficult circumstances."

Murray, meanwhile, told AP, "As far as I'm concerned, there is no truth to this story. I will continue to work with Chairman Byrd and other members of leadership to pass spending bills that reflect the priorities of the American people."

Questions about Byrd's age and health circulated earlier this year.

2007 has also been marked by the senior senator's denunciation of dogfighting, his quizzing of Iraq war planners, his handling of both administration officials and hecklers at a committee hearing, and his speech before President Clinton's at a Democratic Party dinner.

He also recently celebrated his 90th birthday, as well as the unveiling of his portrait on Capitol Hill. And, he met Bo Derek.

Update: Byrd gave one of several Senate floor speeches earlier this afternoon honoring a departing Sen. Trent Lott, and the Mississippi Republican returned the favor in thanking his colleagues for their kind words.