Next summer, Robert Byrd will become the longest serving member in the history of the United States Senate, and he's in a much better condition than Strom Thurmond at the same time in his career. The following fall, should he decide to run for reelection, Byrd will be seeking an unprecedented ninth term. Roll Call's Mark Preston reads between the lines of Byrd's latest speech to infer that Byrd will indeed run again.

Standing before 500 cheering Democratic activists Wednesday, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) began to extend his right hand to acknowledge the applause before quickly jerking it back toward his chest.

In a quick movement, Byrd's hand appeared again, this time hoisting a pocket copy of the Constitution into the air, much in the same way volunteers wave a candidate's signs on street corners in the closing days of a campaign.

The gesture prompted the already fevered audience of MoveOn.org supporters to cheer even louder, and a beaming Byrd began an energetic speech about his opposition to a Republican proposal to change the rules of the Senate.

For Byrd, who is nearing the end of his eighth term, the pocket Constitution is likely to be his campaign sign over the next two years, should he seek re-election. But the question remains, will Byrd seek a ninth term?

The octogenarian said he is "inclined to," but is quick to add that he is still weighing his options.

Still, despite growing Republican confidence in a state that went for President Bush in both 2000 and 2004, all signs indicate that Byrd is taking the necessary steps to ramp up for another campaign.

The West Virginian has scheduled a fundraiser next month in Washington, D.C., and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called on Democrats last week to begin padding Byrd's war chest, which showed only a modest $93,000 at the close of the most recent reporting period.

And the West Virginian - whose larger-than-life figure in his home state has kept serious challenges at bay for generations - said in an interview after the rally that he is prepared for a negative campaign.

Byrd's reelection bid will not be easy by any means, but if he doesn't end up running, the West Virginia seat will be one of the most difficult for the Dems to hold.

Byrd's inclination to run isn't just a short-term boon for his party as it seeks to regain the majority in 2006. Byrd, a former Majority Leader, is one of the most skilled parliamentarians in Senate history who deftly outwits his opponents on major issues. Byrd will leave some day, it's just good he's probably not leaving today.