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.
If it was serious, wouldn't they know it was a stroke by now?
Yep, she's a "Blue Dog" and NOT gay.
Yes, it is what they would suggest. And it was a silly idea. DC has no room for real bipartisanship. I don't see any reason to play by the DNC rules.
I hope the senator recovers quickly and decides to spend quality time back in South Dakota with his friends and family giving up his position. That would seem as honorable and graceful an exit as politicians get.
In 1991, when Sen. John Heinz, R-PA, died in an airplane crash, Democratic Governor Bob Casey, Sr. replaced him with Democrat, Harris Wofford.
It was interesting that Republicans were starting to pressure Gov. Casey to appoint John Heinz's wife, Teresa Heinz (now Teresa Heinz-Kerry), but she said no.
The real question is when do governors ever appoint someone not of thier own party to fill a vacated Senatorial seat?
But every time Dick Cheney farts, it is a news event.
All's fair in love, war, and politics. This is Heinz and Coverdale in reverse; say all the nice things you want about Zell Miller, but he still caucused with the Dems and could not be persuaded to come over to the right side after Jeffords defected. I say best wishes to you Senator Johnson (D-SD) as you live the rest of your life in a convalescent home. Rounds appoints an R for two years, and Cheney breaks all ties. Sounds harsh, that's life - or the end of it.
The left will go nuts and scream that constitutional constructs dont apply here because the people have spoken!! Unfortuately they will ultimately win because our "leaders" on the right will never fight them for what would be ours.
Thoughts and prayers sent his way.
The power of a Governor to appoint an elected Senator is a hold-over from pre-17th amendment days.
It must have been an oversight by the drafters of that amendment. If they changed the Constitutional appointment of a Senator to an election of a Senator, why didn't they change the vacancy Constitutional appointment to a vacancy special election to be in line with vacancies in the House?
-PJ
If he isn't able to serve, I hope he doesn't cling to power at the possible expense of his health.
Prayers for a speedy and full recovery.
Prayers for his full recovery.
ummm no, it would not be a "win".
Prayers for Sen. Johnson and his family.
The Libs can kiss the SD Governor's butt if they start demanding jack. Johnson barely won when he was elected. As they are so fond of saying about Bush, there was no MANDATE for him. lol
Be nice, or I swear I will turn this thread around.
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