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.
Just having a public discussion about all this could snap americans out of the sensation that the democrats just swept the republicans out of power in an enormous wave. There was a 2-3% shift in seats. For all the glee and kumbaya'ing going on you'd think that conservatives had no power left at all in washington. Funny thing is, when the pubs took over by a few seats all they could say is "THE COUNTRY IS DEEEEPLY DIVIDED". Sigh.
-PJ
Sharon is still alive. Doubtful that the family would remove life support under any circumstances.
Can I pray for him to have a life-altering experience and recover fully? Something that would make him see things like how he would have fared with a health care system run by the Post Office. Or maybe a little dream that points out a few of his "philosophical" errors like a certain Saul.
Uhh, the Governor of Idaho is currently Jim Risch, Republican, and in a few weeks, it'll be Butch Otter, Republican.
Prayers for the Senator and family.
Chaffee was not re-elected. It was his plan to jump to the democrats if he had been re-elected.
Also, the Democrats argued to keep her on the ballot (in the name of voter fairness) at the same time that they were arguing to replace Torricelli on the ballot in NJ (in the name of voter fairness).
-PJ
Well, if Johnson went down and could not serve temporarily, the Senate could remain Democrat for comittees etc. but the votes would be closer and the VEEP vote could be very important.
Relatively young guy.
I hope that he is OK.
Screw the Drudge Report take on this.
I work sometimes with stroke victims, he could be alright in short order but it is unpredictable right off.
Hey maybe fat Uncle Ted Kennedy will kick the bucket in the next few weeks....
I know it was a state issue, but was Johnson involved in the campaign of lies that caused the SD life legislation to be annulled back in November?
No, Rosa DeLauro is much hotter.
Lots of Ghoulish speculation going on here.
First, if Sen Thomas's office becomes vacant, the Wyoming Republican Party would (by state law) pick his replacement.
Second, it appears that SD requires a special election. Democrat Stephanie Herseth would most likely win this special election and hold the seat for the foreseeable future.
--Only problem is the best GOP candidate for the seat IS the Governor.--
Is there anything in the State Constitution preventing him from appointing HIMSELF?
It's temporary anyway, they would schedule a special election -- that's how Talent got in but had to run again 4 years later and lost.
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