Kelly O'Donnell
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
A statement from his office:
Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., was released from the hospital early this afternoon following a brief 48-hour stay to monitor and treat a spike in his white-blood cell count, a symptom that is usually an early sign of an infection. Byrd was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, following a precautionary trip to the hospital after he fell at his home. While being examined, doctors found an increase in Byrd's white-blood cell count and then admitted the West Virginia Senator to the hospital for antibiotic treatment and observation.
Byrd will continue his antibiotic treatment at his home and convalesce over the coming days. Byrd indicated that he "is looking forward to engaging in the upcoming debate and votes on health care reform - one of the most critical issues facing this Congress."
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Senior aides to the Sen. Robert Byrd say the senator "has been admitted to the hospital and is expected to remain there for a few days."
Byrd was taken to the hospital this morning as a precautionary measure following a fall at his home which aides say "was likely caused by standing up too quickly."
While having no broken bones or bruises, upon examination, doctors found an elevated white-blood cell count which can be an early sign of an infection. Therefore, his doctors have determined that Byrd should remain in the hospital for antibiotic treatment and observation.
Aides say, "Senator Byrd is in good spirits and expressed his disappointment that he was unable to join all his Senate colleagues this afternoon for the biennial Senate photo."
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell and Ken Strickland
Sen. Robert Byrd was taken to the hospital this morning after he "apparently stood up too fast this morning in his home and fell down," senior Byrd aides tell NBC.
"To err on the side of caution, his caregiver called an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital where he is currently being checked out. At this point in time there is no indication that he will be admitted."
Byrd, the West Virginia Democrat, is the longest-serving senator in U.S. history. In his ninth term, he was elected to the Senate in 1958. He is 91.
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell and Domenico MontanaroAl Franken, the newest United States senator, will meet with Supreme Court nominee
Sonia Sotomayor today at 2. The meeting will take place in Franken's office. Expect pictures shortly afterward.
From NBC's Carrie Dann
In an interview with NBC's Kelly O'Donnell today, McCain took a step back from blaming Obama for infusing politics into the bailout negotiations, and he previewed fellow "underdog" Palin's debate appearance later this week.
Asked if he still believes that Obama and his Democratic colleagues fueled a partisan atmosphere on the Hill as lawmakers struggled over the economic recovery bill, McCain responded that he wants to "put that aside now."
"I believe that politics has played too great a role in this. I think that Speaker Pelosi's speech was very unnecessary and inflammatory," he said, "But that's not a reason for us not to work together and come up with a solution. I think it's time now not to fix the blame but to fix the problem."
CONTINUED >>
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Palin worked until about midnight last night practicing her speech and resumed again this morning at 5 a.m., according to McCain advisors who have been with the Alaska governor day and night.
The chief speechwriter on this address is Matthew Scully, who is one of McCain's speechwriters and also wrote President Bush.
Palin has been involved in the drafting of her remarks and describe the process as a "total collaboration," aides said, adding Palin is professional and "not rattled" by the attention and scrutiny of this night.
The governor was in "prompter practice" from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. today, aides said. Last night at about 10:30 p.m., aides added, they did a full run-through at a practice podium in an effort to create the feeling of performing at the hour she will appear tonight.
CONTINUED >>
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Reporting on the road with the McCain campaign...
The "Biden" ad: Advisors say that spot has been ready for "a couple days." The McCain team says they assessed that Kaine "utterly disqualified himself" on the basis of the experience question and asserted that Obama does not particularly like Evan Bayh. "Who did that leave?" So they had the Biden spot ready to go.
"Passed Over" ad: McCain advisors say they assesd the 3 a.m. Obama text as an "avoidable" slight to Sen. Clinton and a belated elbow for the primary season 3 a.m. call spot. As First Read mentioned in First Thoughts, the campaign featured Hillary Clinton's words as an attack on Obama in the latest "Passed Over" ad.
Reaction to Biden selection: McCain advisors say Biden's career has not been covered in the Pennsylvania media market. They acknowledge his Scranton, blue-collar roots, but suggest Delaware, with a very small media market, does not have the kind of bleed over seen in New Jersey where NY politicians/issues are saturated. Biden "will fire up conservatives," they claim, because of his positions and conduct on the Judiciary Committee. "That gives us license there," advisors say. Think Roberts, Alito and Clarence Thomas.
The JUDGMENT question: McCain advisors say Obama has waged his candidacy on his "superior judgment" and they point out that Biden supported the Iraq war vote, then advocated partitioning of Iraq which McCain folks call "a terrible idea." Obviously, they will press on the readiness factor, saying Biden has "strongly and consistently" criticized Obama's readiness to be president while Biden "spoke glowingly about McCain on a number of issues."
CONTINUED >>
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Huckabee will drop out now, according to sources.
From NBC's Ron Allen and Kelly O'Donnell
A police motorcycle officer died after a crash escorting Clinton's motorcade in Dallas today. In a statement afterwards, Clinton called the accident is "devastating" news -- she feels "heart-sick" and expressed her condolences to the family and to the Dallas police department. Clinton placed a call to the chief, and she added that this reminds us of what people in law enforcement do everyday. "We respect their service."
VIDEO: A Dallas police officer was killed in a motor accident while escorting Sen. Hillary Clinton to a campaign rally. NBC's Peter Alexander reports. Clinton looked profoundly upset by what had happened -- a routine police operation she's probably been part of countless times as first lady, senator and now presidential candidate.
It's also worth noting that at least two officers have died in accidents while working in motorcades for President Bush in the last few years. The incidents occurred in Honolulu and Albuquerque.
As of this writing, the Clinton motorcade is rolling slowly down a highway. We're heading to another event. It's such a contrast to the way motorcades usually race through cities and towns....with crowds catching a glimpse of dignitaries. The press bus is silent. I think everyone is just stunned. Such an unexpected tragedy.
*** UPDATE *** Per NBC's Christina Jamison, what was supposed to be a rally in Fort Worth is now being cut short. Senator Clinton will make brief remarks here in Fort Worth -- she spoke with the Dallas police chief on the drive over here, and then she is going to go visit the officer's family while the traveling press is taken to the airport.
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
In an unusual expression of faith at a political party headquarters, supporters are standing in circles, holding hands and offering prayers in the middle of the Huckabee ballroom. They appear to be families with adults and children standing together. This is happening amid the piped in rock music, media standups and giant screen coverage.
We are shooting tape. Lots of still cameras buzzing around the group too.
We'll find out who they are when they're finished praying.
