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.
Like the Democrats would appreciate that, they'd just laugh & call the Republicans a bunch of suckers.
The one thing you have to give the Democrats credit for is that they'll advance their agenda without worrying about what the Republicans think.
You're welcome.
I have the religion, I just don't always have the will power.
LOL. Me, either :)
She's been turned out, she and the horse she rode in on.
Going back further, when RFK was assassinated Governor Rockefeller named a very liberal Republican, Charles Goodell, to replace RFK. The seat went, thereafter, to Jim Buckley, and then to Moynihan.
Going back further, when RFK was assassinated Governor Rockefeller named a very liberal Republican, Charles Goodell, to replace RFK. The seat went, thereafter, to Jim Buckley, and then to Moynihan.
A tad early for such speculation, which is a little bit sick. Granted, I'd expect the MSM to be blaring the announcements like the Angel Gabriel welcoming Christmas were it the other way around, but Republicans don't cheer that way.
Hey, I'll bet the MSM is already writing editorials and Op-Eds telling the SD gov to appoint a Democrat because that's what they people voted in and it would be "the right thing to do". (Actually, it would be the "left" thing to do.)
Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Prayers for Senator Thomas as well as Senator Johnson.
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 was called and Johnson was taken by ambulance to the George Washington Univeristy Hospital in D.C. for evaluation.
My read is that there would be no special election because Johnson's term would be up in January 2008. In a situation where his term was not near an end, there would be a special election.
I still think that this is a moot point, the man will most likely be taking his seat in the Senate in January.
She's too cute to be a Democrat. I don't get it.
And/or he accepts Christ and turns from supporting abortion etc.
One mans life is less important than the slaughter of the unborn children.
God Bless Sen Johnson.
-PJ
Have Republicans done that?
I don't think they could leave a vacancy in the senate.
Maybe by that time, Harry Reid will be implicated in the Abramoff scandal and will have to resign, and since the governor of Nevada is a Republican we can switch back again, again.
-PJ
I haven't read the entire thread but what I've seen, thankfully, is respectful.
I'll bold the important parts.
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.
Ok, so what do we know so far? Only that the Governor must, within ten days of a vacancy in either chamber, set a date for the special election.
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.
Nothing about Senators so far. The next several sections aren't relevant.
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.
Ok, so 12-11-5 is relevant. The special election for a vacant Senate seat will be during the next general election; 12-11-1 simply requires the governor to, within ten days of the vacancy, set the date of the special election to the same day as the next general election. No conflict between the sections at all. One applies to House members; the other, Senators.
Is there precedent for such a thing? I guess after Jim Jeffords pulled that stunt a few years back they can't complain.
That is true,but....If Kennedy of the US supreme court was to retire,is Johnson`s life more precious than the millions of unborn children that he votes against?
Tim Johnson is a grown man,he is responsible for the choices and the votes he has made.I pray he converts and changes his ways and lives a long long life.Maybe this experience will change him and he will accept Christ and walk across the floor to our side (Gods side).
If 1 man should stand in the way of another conservative getting on the court ??? I chose the unborn children.
God be Merciful to me a sinner and God Bless Tim Johnson!!!
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