Johnson still in critical condition, misses Senate opening

Rapid City Journal ^ | 4 January 2007 | Mary Jalonick AP Writer

[shrinkermd]

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota remained in critical condition at George Washington University Hospital today as his party took control of the Senate.

Johnson, a Democrat, is still in intensive care after suffering a brain hemorrhage Dec. 13, and his office is preparing for his extended absence. Johnson's doctors said Wednesday that his recovery will include physical therapy and is expected to last several months.

Julianne Fisher, spokeswoman for Johnson, said it is unclear when he will return to the chamber or whether some of his therapy would take place after he returns.

Johnson is on a ventilator at night and has not yet spoken.

"As his recovery progresses, we will know more and be able to do more," Fisher said. "We are waiting for direction from him on certain things."

It's possible that he would be able to do some work without being present in the office, Fisher said.

[shrinkermd]

"It's possible that he would be able to do some work without being present in the office, Fisher said.

I only posted 1/2 of this short article. Above says it all.

[John W]

"Work" does NOT equal "Vote".

[stylin19a]

not nice to add an opinion to the title that is not supported in the article.

do you have inside info ?

[Tarpon]

I assume the Senate rules spell out what is needed to vote, like present, otherwise, they could just all go home and phone in their votes whenever they wanted. Remote control dictatorship.

Why do they call the role, I wonder? Why don't all roving Senators vote, I wonder.

[spectre]

"Johnson is on a ventilator at night, and has not yet spoken".

Can he read? Can he write? Will he ever be able to?

sw

[tobyhill]

Prior to any vote there must be roll call and a quorum present. Any Senator along with a secondary motion can request for a verbal count which must accompany a yea or nae. He can do some work but the Democrats are stuck with one less vote.

[CAluvdubya]

Article says nothing about voting from home, just working from home. He's still on a ventilator!

Unless they change the rules, you have to be present to vote.

[milwguy]

Exactly right........he has to be present in the Senate chamber to vote. Just watch C-Span sometime where they show the voting and you see Senators coming and going as the electronic tally is updated on the screen. Not present=not voting

[tobyhill]

Remember Kerry surfing when some Democrat proposed legislation failed by one vote because he wasn't there? I still get a laugh out of that one.

[Condor51]

No he can't vote from home, nor can anyone vote for him (proxy). He must be present in the senate and cast his vote himself.

[Bob Buchholz]

I think we may need Terri Schiavo's doctors to render an opinion.

[FR_addict]

"Unless they change the rules, you have to be present to vote."

With Pelosi in charge, I wouldn't be surprised that this rule gets changed. I wonder what it would take to change it.

I didn't know until this week that he still couldn't talk. He's supposedly on the ventilator only at night. So unless his condition is worse than they say, he should be able to talk. It sounds like they are hiding his true condition.

Even if he is in a coma, they'd have him voting, if they could.

[shrinkermd]

Yup, you are right and I was wrong. I guess when a Senator "works" at home that is not the same as "voting" at home. My mistake. I do think his committee assignment is a step forward to his "working" at home.

[montag813]

"Mr. Johnson..."

"BEEP!"

"Mr. Johnson...AYE"

"Mr. Kennedy..."

(Whatever it takes to keep RATs in control.)

[mpackard]

This situation is simply devistating. I do wish that folks would quit giving this family false hope. My ma lingered on like this for 4 months before finally giving up the ghost. It's a tragedy and I, for one, am saddened by this. I am a highly partisan Republican but this man and his family are going through one of the worst things that I've ever been through. We should have him constantly in our prayers.

[brothers4thID]

He can work from home but he cannot VOTE from home. Senate rule says you have to be PRESENT on the floor. Certain Committees, and certain hearings in others, will allow you to vote by proxy, but there are no proxy votes allowed on the Senate floor.

[brothers4thID]

Pelosi is not in charge of the US Senate.

[Buck W.]

"May Be Able To Vote From Home"

As long as he doesn't use a Diebold machine.

[garv]

From the drips of information that have come out it certainly appears that the prognosis for a full recovery is not good. He's still critical, has not spoken and still requires a ventilator after a month?

I know it's somewhat ghoulish, but sometime soon the pressure to get some answers needs to be ratcheted up.

[TNCMAXQ]

I wonder if he will be in any shape to run for re-election next year. With campaigns now lasting over a year it could be tough. If he does not run I suppose a Repub would have a good shot at that seat. Though if Rep Stephanie Herseth runs I am guessing she would be tough to beat. Maybe they could take her House seat though.