Much debate has swirled on Senator Robert Byrd’s chances of reelection. The staunchest Republicans swear the party has a giant killer in Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, while the Democrat faithful scoff.

As the Republicans have prepared strategy for the upcoming election, my opinion on Senator Byrd’s chances have been as inconsistent as the weather; but I have always ultimately felt he was vulnerable. It is a given that Congresswoman Capito would have a fight, but I felt she could pull off an upset.

Until today, that is.

An ad is on AM 580 that starts with General Tackett praising Senator Byrd, Governor Joe Manchin, and the rest of the Congressional Delegation for their hard work in keeping the 130th in Charleston. Then Senator Byrd comes on with an upbeat message on how he knew we could do it and it shows what happens when we all work together.

The conservatives who want to remove Senator Byrd have two central arguments: his liberalism and his age.

Without saying it, the ad proves he may be old, but he has been taking care of West Virginia for years and is not too old to do it again. As far as his liberalism, people are reticent to replace a goose that is consistently laying golden eggs with an untested — albeit more conservative — goose.

Don’t misunderstand me: I want Senator Byrd gone too. But I now believe the only one who can remove him from his position is the Grim Reaper.