The MSM have been basking in their glorious victory this past election cycle. Their hand-wringing reaction to Johnson's illness is glaring proof of their liberal position.
Frankly... my tinfoil might be on too tight... but losing the Senate in this manner would be a dream come true for the Democrats.
They have won their Great Victory. The American People, at least in their minds, has endorsed the Democrat Party and rejected the Wascally Wepublicans. But now they have a problem. Now they have to lead.
But if they lose the Senate over something like this, it is their Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Card. The fact that they will not be able to accomplish anything will not be their fault, but rather can be blamed on unjust fate.
If the Democrat Party actually tried to implement any of their policies, the people would judge the policies by the results. But if they are prevented from doing so by Random Chance, the policies can still be held out as untested ideals.