Who is the most powerful Senator?

[CultureKing]

I would go with Byrd.  As Chairman of Appropriations, he controls where all the money goes, as the people of West Virginia know quite well.

Isn't his position in de facto control by Murray right now? I remember reading that while he technically has not lost control of the seat they had basically given control over to her because of Bryd's age and health.

[CultureKing]

I would go with Byrd.  As Chairman of Appropriations, he controls where all the money goes, as the people of West Virginia know quite well.

No; I don't even know which Murray you're talking about.

My hunch is that he's probably talking about the only Murray in the Senate.

Right, right...In that case, the answer is no.  If anyone would take over from Byrd, it would be Daniel Inouye, since he is second in seniority.  Murray is fairly low on the list; she probably won't become Chairman for another 10-15 years.

This is what I was thinking of, I knew that I had read something about it somewhere:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7446.html
Isn't his position in de facto control by Murray right now? I remember reading that while he technically has not lost control of the seat they had basically given control over to her because of Bryd's age and health.