Robert Byrd to President Bush: We Can Impeach You

In a speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday, former Ku Klux Klansman, Sen. Robert Byrd, pledged to put President Bush on trial in the Senate if the House impeaches him.

Addressing the president in absentia, Sen. Byrd began by warning that Congress retains all its original powers under the Constitution.

"You better read that again in the Constitution," Byrd said, declaring that the Senate's powers include "serving as a court of impeachment.

"You better believe it, Mr. President," Byrd continued. "The Senate can send you home. You better believe that."

The ex-Klansman then added: "If the House impeaches you, the Senate will try you. The Senate, don't forget it, serves as a court of impeachment and has an equal say with the House on legislation."

Over at Democrats.com, where a transcript of Byrd's remarks turned up, the outburst was greeted enthusiastically.

Reacting to the West Virginia Democrat's impeachment threat, one poster declared, "Man, I like the sound of that . . . you've got to like whatever gumption some of these guys found while they were on their congressional break."