Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) suffers possible stroke(Update Spokesman says NO stroke)

MSNBC

[Robert A Cook PE]

Let us hope, he, like your dad can recover, and that his family does well.

[eyedigress]

Thanks for the correction, that really was one race I can hardly say I paid attention to. I still believe there are to many RINO's in the Senate for the balance of power to actually tip.

Seems like we need at least a 10 member margin just have a chance. IMHO

[Alissa]

I see nothing that would stop them from attempting to keep Johnson a Senator for 2 more years, even he never left the hospital or his home.

Do the people of South Dakota have anything to say about this or it just the politicians in Washington???

[Rakkasan1]

MY EYES! MY EYES!!! who knew Cindy Sheehan had a twin!

[zbigreddogz]

Uhh, actually, the Senate was only in the hands of the D's between the middle of 2001 till early 2002, when we retook the Senate.

[Diddle E. Squat]

This picture seems to support one of the rumors:

[mewzilla]

Since he appeared to recover so quickly, hopefully it was a TIA rather than a stroke. Thank goodness someone had the sense to get him seen by a doc. Symptoms like that should never be ignored. Get well soon, Senator.

[trumandogz]

That is very gracious of you. Would it be okay with you if I pray for the recovery of Sen. Craig Thomas (R) or WY who has been diagnosed with leukemia?

[zbigreddogz]

Ewww...

At least she's better looking then Helen Thomas.

[Gay State Conservative]

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.

I think that in "Governor's appointment" states,the appointee serves until the next even year election.

[ConservativeDude]

Moreover, Coverdell died of a hemorrhage before GWB was even elected....

[Phantom Lord]

Chaffee was not re-elected. It was his plan to jump to the democrats if he had been re-elected.

And then he wrote an op-ed in the WSJ whining and complainign about his being defeated and calling the voters stupid.

[zbigreddogz]

If so, I'm offering $1,000 for the tape.

[leadpenny]

Thanks, I hadn't thought to check Drudge. Of course that is an NBC affiliate's take on things.

[trumandogz]

Stephanie Herseth would be elected is a special election.

[longtermmemmory]

what rumor?

are you implying something based on arm location?

[sure_fine]

BREAKING NEWS NBC, MSNBC and news services Updated: 11 minutes ago NEW YORK - Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S. D., has been hospitalized with symptoms described as stroke-like. The seriousness of his illness has not been disclosed. In addition to concern about Johnson's immediate health, his illness draws political concern in that the Democrats currently hold a 51-49 advantage in seats, giving them control of the Senate. The governor of South Dakota is Republican Mike Rounds. Should there be a vacancy as a consequence of Johnson's illness and Rounds appoints a Republican to fill the term, that would make the count 50 Demorats and 50 Republicans. Under the rules of the Senate, ties votes are settled by the vote of the vice president - currently Republican Dick Cheney - effectively giving control of the Senate to the Republicans.

Story continues below « http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16191212/

yes, that is a typo found by an old FR poster

[zbigreddogz]

True, but it's still true had Coverdell not died, we'd have had a Republican controlled Senate from July (I think) 2001 till January 2003.

[dinap]

First off - prayers for Sen. Johnson and his family for a quick and complete recovery.

If he is not able to continue his duties, here is the likely scenario:

1. Special Election will be held within 90 days (after Rep appointed as replacement over Democrats cries of "foul").
2. Tom Daschle announces his candidacy
3. $10 million flow into his campaign fund
4. Daschle trails throughout election night - Precincts in Western Indian Reservation not yet reporting
5. Western Indian Reservations cast 3x as many votes as registered voters for Daschle
6. Daschle wins
7. Democrats maintain control of Senate

And I am an optomist.

[parenthetical]

You are a disgusting person, ConservativeDude.

That's just the way I see it.