Posted on 12/13/2006 12:46:10 PM PST by leadpenny
Edited on 12/13/2006 2:04:33 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
http://capwiz.com/c-span/bio/?id=537&lvl=C&chamber=S
Sen. Johnson suffers possible stroke
12/13/2006, 4:53 p.m. ET
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota suffered a possible stroke Wednesday and was taken to a Washington hospital, his office said.
Johnson became disoriented during a call with reporters at midday, stuttering in response to a question. He appeared to recover, asking if there were any additional questions before ending the call.
If he should be unable to continue to serve, it could halt the scheduled Democratic takeover of the Senate. Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the November election. South Dakota's governor, who would appoint any temporary replacement, is a Republican.
Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he had walked back to his Capitol office after the call with reporters but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician came to his office and examined him, and it decided he needed to go to the hospital.
He was taken by ambulance to George Washington University Hospital around noon, Fisher said.
"It was caught very early," she said.
Johnson's office released a statement saying he had suffered a possible stroke.
"At this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team," the statement read.
The White House issued a statement wishing him a speedy recovery.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Johnson and his family," said spokesman Alex Conant.
If the two-term senator, 59, is unable to serve when the 110th Congress convenes Jan. 4, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds would appoint a replacement. Johnson had surgery for prostate cancer in 2004. He is up for re-election in 2008.
South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson said there are no special restrictions on such an appointment and a replacement would not have to be from the same political party.
Johnson turns 60 on Dec. 28. The centrist Democrat was elected to the Senate in 1996 and has been one of the more reserved members of the chamber, rarely taking center stage at news conferences.
He served in the House for 10 years from 1987 to 1997. His focus has been on committee assignments important to his state's interests — Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources — as well as a spot on Appropriations. The latter allows him to direct funds to South Dakota.
Johnson has worked as a lawyer and county prosecutor and served several years in the 1970s and 1980s in the South Dakota state Legislature.
Except for the fact that she's had so many facelifts you can see through her skull, I think Pelosi is hotter.
I agree that a Democrat wouldn't do such a nutty thing. In 2000, Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-GA) had a stroke and died, at 61. Georgia's governor was a Democrat, and he appointed a Democrat, Zell Miller.
Where's the ACLU, we need a lawsuit....Demand Ms. Herseth step down.!
Don't even bother to think about replacing Johnson, unless of course, he dies. As long as he can breathe on his own, the Democrats will stap him to a chair if necessary and wheel him in to the Senate like it's "Week-end at Bernie's".
I'd rather see him recover.
Prayers for a speedy and full recovery, and best wishes for a medical retirement.
What are they implying there, that they'd rather keep an incapacitated Johnson and the Senate, rather than replace him and lose the Senate?
-PJ
CHAPTER 12-11 - SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS
-PJ
Correctomundo
I smell an afternoon version of DUmmie FUnnies.
If I remember correctly, Gov. Rounds got like 65% of the vote in his last election. Which was a month ago! I don't think he will be worried about the people of SD revolting against him. And that would be his concern, not the NY Times.
Ya, dingy harry reid had one of those (TIA) what was it, summer before last?
He has my prayers for his personal recovery, but that doesn't mean I have to pray for his political recovery. In case people forget, he stole the election in the first place. My first reaction was a bit Pat Robertsonian--maybe this is a bit of divine providence.
So, I pray for his welfare and that of his family, but I don't mind a bit if he is replaced in the Senate by someone with greater integrity, common sense, and dedication to the survival of our country and our civilization.
LOL. You'll notice that she didn't specify who or what to pray to though.
What, do they want Johnson tested for Polonium or something?
-PJ
I pray he is well, and he likely will be. Strokes happen all the time and people recover and lead normal lives. Even serious strokes victims can return to work after a few months. If you start he hearing the word "massive", then start wondering.
I agree, I wouldn't wish this on anyone, even a Dem. Hope he will be ok!
And as a party, they have a lot of old people in the Senate, more so than the GOP. So a death watch on members in the Senate would primarily focus on the Rats.
prayer for the senator, strokes are no joke.
(and yet, I wonder to what extreme democrats will go in the envent of the worst. Will he be allowed to remain in office during an extensive rehabilitation?)
Yeah - isn't Sharon still alive?
Prayers for both Sen. Johnson and Sen. Thomas.
Two years of Weekend at Pelosi's?
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