I don't know if "The Rules" apply to a Democrat, but in this case, since there are so few attractive female Democrats....
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.
Byrd has actually been acting like a rat with a brain lately. He's the last of the old southern democrats.
Hmmmmm... I forgot about those [Native American] reservations.
I don't know if "The Rules" apply to a Democrat, but in this case, since there are so few attractive female Democrats....
Still... I can't help wondering if Rove has an alibi.
Please, I'm eating while posting. ;)
Heh. Exactly!
For some reason we have not had any pictures of Katherine Harris posted in a while.
May as well go with Stephanie now.
AKA a mini-stroke.
Not until the end of the term -- only until the next regular election -- 2008. In Johnson's case, that would also be the end of his term (he beat Thune in 2002.)
When Mrs. Carnahan was appointed to replace her dead husband after the 2000 election, she had to run for the remaining term in 2002, when she was defeated by Talent (who, of course, just lost to McCaskill for the full term starting in 2006).
Ummm, no one reads around here? The link provided in this thread to the SD statue clearly states that the special election for a vacancy in one of SD's Senate seats is to be held at the next GENERAL ELECTION. Not 90 days. The next general election is 2008. So whom ever the Governor appoints should Johnson be unable to complete his term will be serving until at least November 4, 2008. The 90 days deal is for the Representatives of SD, not the Senators.
Next, love how the MSM skews the numbers in the Senate. The correct count is 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and two Independents. The Independents (Libermann and Sanders) have choosen to vote with the Democrats to give them control. Sanders is a socialist so his vote isn't going to change. Libermann might be tempted to upset the apple cart for the party that betrayed him. Then it would be 50-50 with Cheney casting the deciding vote. Rather than hoping Johnson is unable to serve, we should be praying for Libermann to see the light.
LOL. I've spent too much time visiting cardiac wards. I got religion years ago :)
Many thanks.
I have the religion, I just don't always have the will power.
--Odd place to put a left hand, isn't it?--
The woman on the left may have put it there just to get Stephanie to smile for the photo...
12-11-1. Special election to fill congressional vacancy--Time of election of representative. If a vacancy occurs in the office of a senator or representative in the United States Congress it shall be the duty of the Governor within ten days of the occurrence, to issue a proclamation setting the date of and calling for a special election for the purpose of filling such vacancy. If either a primary or general election is to be held within six months, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of representative in the United States Congress shall be held in conjunction with that election, otherwise the election shall be held not less than eighty nor more than ninety days after the vacancy occurs.Source: CHAPTER 12-11 SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS12-11-2. Filing of election proclamation--Notice to county auditors and political parties-- Nominations. The proclamation issued pursuant to § 12-11-1 shall be filed with the secretary of state who shall, if a special election is called for, thereupon notify each county auditor and the chairman of each political party recognized pursuant to chapter 12-5 of the date and purpose thereof. The State Central Committee of each political party so recognized shall be entitled to nominate a person to fill such vacancy and independent candidates filing nominating petitions meeting the requirements of § 12-7-1 may also have their names placed on the ballot.
12-11-3. Filing of nominations--Certification--Conduct of elections. Each party nomination and independent petition shall be filed with the secretary of state not less than forty-five days preceding any election which is not combined with a primary or general election. If the election is conducted with a primary election, each party nomination and independent petition shall be filed by the first Tuesday in April. Each nomination shall be certified in a like manner as any other nomination for the purpose of a general election. The election shall be conducted, canvassed, and the results certified as in a general election. If the election is conducted with a general election, each party nomination and independent petition shall be filed by the second Tuesday in August.
12-11-4. Temporary appointment by Governor to fill vacancy in United States Senate. Pursuant to the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, the Governor may fill by temporary appointment, until a special election is held pursuant to this chapter, vacancies in the office of senator in the Senate of the United States.
12-11-5. Special election to fill senate vacancy. The special election to fill the vacancy of a senator shall be held at the same time as the next general election. The general election laws shall apply unless inconsistent with this chapter.
12-11-6. No special election if appointed senator's term expires at normal time. No special election, to fill a vacancy, may be held if the term of office of the appointed senator expires in the month of January immediately following the next general election that would occur after the vacancy.
12-11-7. Vacancy within ninety days of general election--Concurrent elections. If a vacancy occurs within ninety days of the next general election, the special election to fill the vacancy shall be held concurrently with the general election to be held two years later.
12-11-8. Nominations for specially elected senator--Vacancy near primary election. Nominations of candidates for the special election for senator shall be conducted pursuant to chapter 12-6. If a vacancy occurs within ninety days of the date of the primary election, or between the primary election and at least ninety days prior to the general election, the provisions of §§ 12-11-2 and 12-11-3 shall apply.
-PJ
I can't reconcile that with the other statute that says the election for senator is held at the next general election. Why would the statute I quoted even mention the office of senator, then?
While the governor of South Dakota is a Republican and could tip the balance in the Senate to a 50-50 tie, don't forget that Senator Thomas of Wyoming, a Republican, is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. If Thomas has to resign, the governor of Wyoming, a Democrat, would appoint his replacement and that would blow everything wide open.
--He could legally appoint himself, but it'd be the political kiss of death. He could get around this by appointing someone who agreed to not run in the special election, and then run himself.--
The only precedent was Napoleon I, who crowned himself Emperor of France after the Pope refused to do it.
bttt
Not to mention the fate of Roe v. Wade and the fate of thousands of unborn babies. When you are not able to win a wider majority than one, then you must expect that you could lose power any number of ways. Remember Jumpin' Jim Jeffords?
Prayers for his speedy recovery.
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