Posted on 10/19/2007 11:55:56 AM PDT by SmithL
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson said Friday that he will run for re-election next year as he continues his recovery from a life-threatening brain hemorrhage.
Johnson's announcement is good news for his party, because prominent Republicans have shied away from the idea of challenging the South Dakota Democrat after his illness and long recovery were closely watched in the state.
"After months of rehabilitation and recovery, more than a month on the job in Washington and after my recent trips back to South Dakota it is clear, to my family, my doctors, and me that I am able to do the hard work required of a United States senator," Johnson said in a campaign e-mail.
Johnson is still undergoing physical speech and physical therapy to address lingering effects of his hemorrhage. His right side is weak, and he uses a motorized wheelchair to get around the Senate.
Five Republican senators have said they will retire next year, giving Democrats an opportunity to expand the narrow majority they won in the 2008 elections. No Democrats have announced plans to retire from the Senate.
Johnson was considered a top Republican target before he fell ill. He won re-election against Republican John Thune in 2002 by just 524 votes, and Thune defeated Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle in another close race two years later.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
However, from the article it appears that the GOP lacks the intestinal fortitude to take on Johnson due to his recent illness.
Illness or no, there is no reason why the GOP couldn’t run an issues-oriented campaign against Johnson and beat him on his positions alone. No reason except that they’re afraid to for fear of looking like meanies ganging up on a cripple.
Illness or no, there is no reason why the GOP couldn’t run an issues-oriented campaign against Johnson and beat him on his positions alone. No reason except that they’re afraid to for fear of looking like meanies ganging up on a cripple.
Just another arrogant, self-important congresscritter who just has to hold on to power no matter what.
Its too bad that he had a brain hemorrhage. That being said, I doubt that he can perform an effective job w/o being propped up by a bunch of staff.
Good to see the Senator is doing better.
However, from the article it appears that the GOP lacks the intestinal fortitude to take on Johnson due to his recent illness.
Yep. I don’t understand the GOP not running against him.
I don’t understand the GOP!
You just described the overwhelming majority of all senators. Congressmen too, for that matter.
Good to see that he’s recovering.
We could do with a few less “johnsons” in the Senate however.
If Terry Schiavo had been a Democrat senator, she’d still be alive and casting votes today.
Just like the Jeresy Girls were off limits.
Is that a metaphor I see?
T. Johnson is wrong on a number of very important issues. Plain and simple. That he supports the disgusting ilk of the current DEM leadership is proof he no longer should remain in office.
We must win (have pick-ups) in SD and LA to have any chance in the 08 elections of staying close in the Senate.
It appears to me that if either party felt that they could improve the American system of government and thus the American way of life they would run someone regardless of the existing situation.
This looks like a job for Ann Coulter. She'll say what others just think and sometimes type.
LOL. Where did you come up with that theory, suck it out of your thumb? Why is it necessary to run a "negative" campaign to win and what constitutes being "negative?" SD is a very Rep state. Bush won SD in 2004 60% to 38.4%. A strong Rep committed to conservative principles should be more than competitive in any statewide race.
Johnson will have to demonstrate that he is physically able to fulfill the duties of the office. He will probably run a campaign designed to elicit sympathy. As long as the Rep candidate keeps the focus on the issues and Johnson's voting record, he/she will be able to make a race of it. Johnson's physical problems will be evident to the voters and don't need to be made an explcit issue by the Rep candidate.
Johnson only won last time by a little over 500 votes. He would be considered vulnerable this time no matter what his physical condition was. Johnson's 2006 ACU rating is 12 [compared to Thune's 100] and his rating in 2005 was 13. Johnson's lifetime ACU rating is 19.6. Also, compare that with Herseth's [Dem in Congress] ACU rating of 60 in 2006 and 33 in 2005. Johnson is way out of step with most of SD when it comes to the issues. The GOP should make Johnson's seat one of its top priorities in 2008.
See my post #19. I agree with you completely. It is actually a good thing for us that Johnson is running. He will be easier to beat than if Herseth were the candidate. Johnson’s voting record is his biggest liability.
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