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Senator's Illness Has Dems On Edge
Bradenton Herald ^ | Thu, Dec. 14, 2006 | KATE ZERNIKE

Posted on 12/14/2006 2:59:19 AM PST by NautiNurse

Sen. Tim Johnson, a Democrat from South Dakota, was hospitalized Wednesday after what his office at first called a "possible stroke," leading to concern among Democrats that their new one-vote majority in the Senate could be in danger.

By the end of the day, after what his office called "a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team" at George Washington University Hospital here, a spokeswoman for Johnson said that he had not suffered a stroke or a heart attack. The spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher, gave no further details about Johnson's medical condition.

His office said that Johnson, who will turn 60 on Dec. 28, became disoriented during a conference call with reporters at midday. He stuttered, then seemed to recover before asking if there were more questions and then ending the call.

He walked back to his office, where he was examined by the Capitol physician, who decided that Johnson should be examined at the hospital. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance around noon.

On Capitol Hill, the news highlighted the fragility of the Democrats' new majority in the Senate. If Johnson's health problems are serious enough that he is not able to serve, his replacement would be named by South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds. Assuming that Rounds named a Republican, the 51-49 Democratic majority in the new Senate would become a 50-50 split between the two parties, allowing Vice President Dick Cheney to break the tie, effectively giving Republicans control of the chamber.

Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, rushed to the hospital Wednesday afternoon, his spokesman said, but it was not clear whether Reid had been able to visit with Johnson. Reid's office issued a statement calling Johnson "a dear friend to me and to all of us here in the Senate. Every member of the United States Senate sends our best to him and to his family at this difficult time, and we wish him a full recovery."

Johnson is up for re-election in 2008. His oldest son, Brooks, served in Afghanistan and is serving in Iraq.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: South Dakota
KEYWORDS: johnson; mediamayhem; sd; senatemajority; sentimjohnson; southdakota; timjohnson
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The potential for Senate majority change certainly has the media on edge. They have been wailing non-stop since the story broke.

Prayers for this U.S. Senator, and his son who continues to bravely fight for our freedom.

1 posted on 12/14/2006 2:59:22 AM PST by NautiNurse
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To: NautiNurse
The Drive By Media/MSM is certainly worried. Harry Reid's tenure as Senate Majority Leader could be short-lived.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

2 posted on 12/14/2006 3:04:31 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: NautiNurse

I hope he gets better. With advanced medical technology many people have improved after having a stroke. Dr. Dobson had a pretty bad stroke some years ago and has made a pretty full recovery. I don't want this to be a reason we got the Senate back. I want us to fight for it. Plus, these two years with Democrats in charge will awaken people and help us with the 2008 election. We have many Republican Senators who are up in age too and hope they will stay healthy as well. Can you imagine how horrible it would be if the Senate flips back and forth during the next few years. I swear it seems the average age of the Senate must be 100. sarc.


3 posted on 12/14/2006 3:04:45 AM PST by napscoordinator
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To: NautiNurse

Just praying that he is ok. I am saddened that even his own party seems more concerned with politics than his personal health. I hope they are being truthful when they say it was not a stroke. That would be great news for him and his family, at this time of year.


4 posted on 12/14/2006 3:06:32 AM PST by momincombatboots (Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber)
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To: napscoordinator
LOL! Yeah, it would better if the Democrats ran Congress.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

5 posted on 12/14/2006 3:06:47 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: momincombatboots
Agreed, Prayers for his full and rapid recovery.

Prayers for his family, any time is horrible for but it is particularly difficult at this time of the year.

6 posted on 12/14/2006 3:09:11 AM PST by mware (By all that you hold dear... on this good earth... I bid you stand! Men of the West!)
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To: goldstategop; momincombatboots

We really shouldn't be surprised by MSM and Dems reactions to Johnson's sudden illness (e.g. Wellstone funerally). Yet it is still disturbing to witness.


7 posted on 12/14/2006 3:10:12 AM PST by NautiNurse (Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.)
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To: mware

Fox mentioned he had surgery last night but does not have details of it.


8 posted on 12/14/2006 3:11:08 AM PST by mware (By all that you hold dear... on this good earth... I bid you stand! Men of the West!)
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To: napscoordinator

Currently, all reports are veering away from a stroke as the cause of Johnson's illness. Hopefully, we'll have more information shortly.


9 posted on 12/14/2006 3:11:58 AM PST by NautiNurse (Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.)
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To: NautiNurse

He is fortunate to have the medical answers today that did not exist widely even 10 years ago.

He very well could be just fine. Prayers for his family, especially his son. It would be very difficult to be so far away during such a time.


10 posted on 12/14/2006 3:12:10 AM PST by HonestConservative (Snowflake, Levinite and eeevildooer, not necessarily in that order.)
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To: NautiNurse

You have it exactly right. For the media, it's all about power and the state never the individual.


11 posted on 12/14/2006 3:13:03 AM PST by Jimmy Valentine's brother (For DemocRATs, being an American is all about rights, not duties.)
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To: mware
Prayers for his family, any time is horrible for but it is particularly difficult at this time of the year.

Deserves emphasis that Johnson is one of precious few in Congress with a son serving active duty in our military. He is currently in Iraq, after completing a tour in Afghanistan.

12 posted on 12/14/2006 3:14:32 AM PST by NautiNurse (Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.)
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To: NautiNurse

It's a little disturbing we're not even sure what's wrong with the man and some in the MSM are already digging his grave. I wonder if the conspiracy theorists are active on the Dem blogs.


13 posted on 12/14/2006 3:18:08 AM PST by edpc (Violence is ALWAYS a solution. Maybe not the right one....but a solution nonetheless)
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To: NautiNurse

If a 'Pubbie replaced this senator, one of our North East Rinos would bolt in a heart-beat, and we would be right back where we started. Jumpin' Jim Jeffords Redux.


14 posted on 12/14/2006 3:18:31 AM PST by gridlock (We just got dumped. McCain and Rudy are Rebound Guys. Let's not marry the Rebound Guy.)
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To: Jimmy Valentine's brother
For the media, it's all about power and the state never the individual.

The MSM have been basking in their glorious victory this past election cycle. Their hand-wringing reaction to Johnson's illness is glaring proof of their liberal position.

15 posted on 12/14/2006 3:22:22 AM PST by NautiNurse (Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.)
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To: NautiNurse

One thing I know...if he's still alive the Dems will prop him up in his seat whether he can function or not rather than let an R pick his replacement.


16 posted on 12/14/2006 3:22:33 AM PST by ez ("Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is." - Milton)
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To: gridlock

No, I don't think Collins or Snowe would leave. Spector might, but they would have to offer him Judiciary, and I am not sure he would have the nerve to do it.


17 posted on 12/14/2006 3:22:58 AM PST by Miss Marple (Lord, thank you for Mozart Lover's son's safe return, and look after Jemian's son, please!)
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To: NautiNurse

I'll speculate that he popped an aneurism and they clipped it during surgery.


18 posted on 12/14/2006 3:25:05 AM PST by generalhammond
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To: goldstategop
I have forgotten just how it works. Will Harry and Trent share the Majority position. If so, what a circus with those two clowns in charge!
19 posted on 12/14/2006 3:26:59 AM PST by Coldwater Creek (The TERRORIST are the ones who won the midterm elections!)
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To: generalhammond

If the reports of cranial surgery are correct, the two most likely causes would be blood vessel (e.g. aneurysm/AVM) or a tumor.


20 posted on 12/14/2006 3:28:25 AM PST by NautiNurse (Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.)
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