Posted on 04/11/2007 1:01:30 PM PDT by SmithL
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Tim Johnson's Washington office is being made wheelchair-accessible in preparation for his return from rehabilitation for a brain hemorrhage.
When Johnson will come back to the Senate is still not clear. The South Dakota Democrat has been in a private, undisclosed rehabilitation facility since February, when he was released from the George Washington University Hospital in Washington. He is not able to walk and has limited use of his right side.
Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said Wednesday that the senator would be in the rehabilitation facility "for a while longer" and would undergo outpatient therapy before returning to the Senate. She would not speculate on how long that will take.
When he does return, Fisher said, Johnson is expected to use an electric scooter to get around. Staff and Capitol workers are widening aisles and doorways in his office, as well as the area around his desk, and Johnson's personal bathroom will be refurbished to make it easier for the senator to use.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Sorry to hear that he’s suffering this level of disability, but I’m sure Harry Reid will assign a permanent staffer to make his votes for him, just in case he gets “confused”.
I don't know the political make-up of S. Dakota, whether red or blue, but, if a senator becomes unable to perform in his office ... isn't it then up to the governor to appoint a senator to replace him, and isn't it usually the party of the governor?
When is Sen. Johnson's term up?
I'll go and try to answer my own questions, but FreepeRs are usually quicker and more exact than I.
I’m sorry about his condition but I sure wish he would resign.
Can’t help but wonder if his family is under
pressure to keep mum about the Senator’s
ability to face coming back to Congress.
Everyone knows if Reid can’t keep Johnson
in his seat due to inability to serve, the
SDAK governor will appoint a Republican to
replace him. The Dems have to “hold on”
until the next election when Johnson is up
for reelection. Do they actually think the
citizens will send a man incapable of
performing his duty back to the Senate
out of pity? They’re probably already
lining up his replacement on the ballots.
I hope he will do the prudent thing and not run next year.
anyway ... found this ...
Politics
Presidential elections results Year Republican Democratic
(The first number is R, the second, D ... the chart didn't copy/paste)
2004 - 59.91% - 232,584 .... 38.44% 149,244
2000 - 60.3% - 190,700 ......37.56% 118,804
1996 - 46.49% - 150,543 .... 43.03% 139,333
1992 - 40.66% - 136,718 .... 37.14% 124,888
1988 - 52.85% - 165,415 .... 46.51% 145,560
1984 - 63.0% - 200,267 ..... 36.53% 116,113
1980 - 60.53% - 198,343 .... 31.69% 103,855
1976 - 50.39% - 151,505 .... 48.91% 147,068
1972 - 54.15% - 166,467 .... 45.52% 139,945
1968 - 53.27% - 149,841 .... 41.96% 118,023
1964 - 44.39% - 130,108 .... 55.61% 163,010
1960 - 58.21% - 178,417 .... 41.79% 128,070
South Dakota politics are generally dominated by the Republican Party, and the state has not supported a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964 — especially notable when one considers that George McGovern, the Democratic nominee in 1972, was from South Dakota. In 2004, George W. Bush won the state's three electoral votes with 59.9% of the vote.[18] Additionally, a Democrat has not won the governorship since 1978. As of 2006, Republicans hold a 10% registration advantage over Democrats and hold majorities in both the state House of Representatives and Senate.[19][20][21] All but one of the current statewide elected officers are Republicans.
Despite the state's general Republican and conservative leanings, Democrats have found success in various state-wide elections, most notably in those involving South Dakota's congressional representatives in Washington. Two of the three current members of the state's congressional delegation are Democrats, and until his electoral defeat in 2004 Senator Tom Daschle served as both senator for South Dakota as well as the senate minority (briefly majority) leader.[22]
Contemporary political issues in South Dakota include the legality of the state lottery, South Dakota's relatively low rankings in education spending (particularly teacher pay), and recent legislative attempts to ban abortion in the state.[23][24][25]
You have correctly described the situation. Dirty Harry and the other Senate Dems would prop a dead body up and use and electric shock to make it vote in order to hold on to control of the Senate. This man is obviously in no way fit to return to work, let alone help determine the fate of this country. Anything he “does” once he’s back will be done by his staff, which last time I looked wasn’t elected to office. His family really needs to step in and save this poor man from more harm and humiliation.
This is absolutely 100% bullcrap.
Vegetables should be relieved of their duties.
Another scam brought to you by the American Congress.
I say, wheel him down the aisle and allow him to address the Congress ... let us see and hear this man.
Anyone can have a cerebral incident from a variety of causes. No one should imply that anyone who is physically handicapped is also cognitively handicapped. Aphasia does not imply cognitive dysfunction, either. One can hear and comprehend while being physically incapable of speaking, speaking clearly or speaking without a distinctive tone that can accompany damage to the speech centers.
Senator Johnson is likely now extremely aware of how people may react to his personal presentation. I really hope Republicans are kind and understanding. Again: this can happen to anyone, at any time and until it does happen to you or to someone you know, few people truly understand what is going on physically with the affected individual.
Are you a doctor/nurse/practitioner.
Assuming that Johnson vacated the seat or, God forbid, died, what choice would Rounds have other than to appoint a successor? Is there any mechanism he could defer to in order to avoid accusations of choosing his opponent?
Last night Brit Hume announced the days missed and missed votes of various Senators. He omitted Johnson who has missed 100 % of the meetings and the votes.
Britt erred bigtime by forgetting him.
I don’t know his politics, but I would guess that he must be something of a DINO in order to get elected in SD. So, if someone ‘helps’ him vote, they may not be voting the way he would have, otherwise.
Anyone, incuding the Senator, that has a brain vessel rupture with the severity that happened to him will never be capable of performing the duties of a U.S. Senator. Reid will continue to propogate the myth that Mr. Johnson is capable of performing those duties he was elected to perform.
Reid can only control the Senate by furthering the myth.
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