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

MSNBC

[mrsmith]

"A 50-50 Senate puts our side in control."

That can happen only if Johnson dies before the session begins.

He wouldn't resign or be expelled until after the organization votes.

Even if he is unable to attend and vote he is still one of the Senators which makes it a 50-49 vote in the Dems' favor.

[streetpreacher]

So did our "Republican" governor Mike Huckabee. Remember that when the shyster comes shilling for your vote in 2008.

[minus_273]

"Yes, bipartisanship, and stupidity. Do you think a Dem would do such a nutty thing? It's one thing to make a meaningless political gesture, but this is about political power, and who will be sitting on the Supreme Court, among many other things."


That is also the main difference between us and them. We have class. Its also the reason why someone like Ghinsberg will get near unanimous support in the senate during her confirmation and Roberts wouldnt. Just because they are scum does not mean we should be.

[STARWISE]

"And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm."

[NapkinUser]

"Chances are he would appoint a conservative Democrat - the Governor is a professional politician, and wouldn't ruin his career over this."

Tell that to ex. king rat Roy Barnes (D-GA), who appointed a democrat to replace republican Paul Coverdell after his death in 2000 or 2001.

[Churchillspirit]

Read it in the context of the sentence.

Geesh.........

.

[VastRWCon]

It would show a great deal of bipartisanship if he would appoint a democrat and not tip the balance of power as a result of a horrible tragedy. R U NUTS??? THEY WOULDN'T THINK TWICE ABOUT IT.. This is WAR take no prisoners!!!!!!

[VastRWCon]

CLASS doesn't matter during WAR. WIN or LOSE, appeasers always LOSE.

[westmichman]

God speaks, the earth melts.

[DarthVader]

"Chances are he would appoint a conservative Democrat - the Governor is a professional politician, and wouldn't ruin his career over this."

I doubt it seriously.

[LdSentinal]

South Dakota is a very Republican state.

[Phantom Lord]

But even if he had to be hospitalized or bed-ridden for the next two years, it wouldn't effect Democratic control of the Senate. The Democrats would have a 50 to 49 majority instead of 51 to 49. That's still a majority.

Your assumption here is that Johnson wouldn't be removed because of incapacitation, leaving SD with in effect, 1 senator. I highly doubt that would stand for very long.

[wireman]

Chances are he would appoint a conservative Democrat

What are you smoking?

[STARWISE]

If memory serves, it would be a traditional congressional protocol, if it came to that. A pubbie governor would typically appoint a pubbie replacement and vice versa. I believe there's plenty of precedent, and would be considered to be expected .. not a scummy action.

Am I right, experts?

[NRA2BFree]

Remember people, lets behave ourselves. He's a fellow human being and a generally unoffensive guy.

It's a good thing you told people to behave. Someone might have said something about the fact that if he died the Republican governor would appoint a Republican to replace him swinging control of the Senate back to the Republicans, because VP Cheney would cast the tie breaking vote. That would be just awful for anyone to say.

Prayers go out for his speedy recovery.

[CountryBumpkin]

I hope it is not too serious. Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

[CyberAnt]

Jed Babbin is sitting in for Hugh tonight and they had a statement from some female staffer of Johnson's and she said, "it's looks bad".

[LdSentinal]

Found this on another blog.

NBC’s David Shuster joins Keith. Shuster says Johnson’s health is “not good” and the staff has concerns. Also reports that staff won’t say if Johnson is conscious or not. This is a more dire presentation than I’ve seen or heard elsewhere."

[theDentist]

Shep Smith on Fox reports Spokesman for Senator says no Stroke or Heart attack! No details on what IS wrong with the Senator.

Taco Bell perhaps?

[qousqous]

Currently, it is 51D-49R (technically 49D-49R-2I with the 2 promising to organize with the Democrats). If Johnson were to resign and a Republican is selected, then it becomes 51R-49D and Republicans control the committees.

If Johnson were to resign and be replaced with a Republican, this would result in a net loss of 1 Democrat and net gain of 1 Republican, going from 51D-49R to a 50-50 split¹. Of course, this leads to Cheney breaking the tie in favour of the Republicans, but it's not exactly the same as a true R majority.

1. or 50-48-1-1, or 50-48-2, if you choose to look at it that way