Posted on 12/16/2006 5:18:58 PM PST by Pontiac
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., was in critical condition Saturday and resting from brain surgery. In South Dakota, the governor said people were standing behind the stricken lawmaker and he urged patience during Johnson's recovery.
"At this point, no news is good news," said the senator's spokesman, Noah Pinegar.
GOP Gov. Mike Rounds, who would appoint a replacement if Johnson were to leave office, said, "It just happens that we have one of our friends, one of our colleagues, who is going through a tough time. When that happens, we stand by him. And that's exactly what the people of South Dakota will do," Rounds spoke to reporters before delivering the winter commencement address at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, Johnson's home town.
Rounds said Saturday it was not appropriate to talk about the Senate's balance of power changing with the possible appointment of a Republican if Johnson's seat were to become vacant.
There is ample precedent for senators to continue to hold office while incapacitated. Unless Johnson's seat is vacated by his death or resignation, Democrats would retain the majority.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
How can the Dims elected a Majority Leader if Johnson Can’t Vote?
And is there precedent for the party to gain Majority Status in a new Congress with an incapacitated Senator that is necessary to achieve that majority?
I just have to think that, if you have had brain surgery, you would certainly be resting.
51 Dems/49 Pubs. If Johnson can't vote, 50 Dems/49 Pubs. Should he be replaced with a Republican, the number would be 50/50 from each party. Given the number of RINOs, the left still holds a majority even if the party affiliation is evenly split.
He probably won’t be glad handing any lobbyist for awhile.
Or soliciting campaign contributions.
This could be bad for his reelection prospects.
good points
You're figuring the two Independents (Lieberman and Jeffords) are Donks?
" There is ample precedent for senators to continue to hold office while incapacitated .."
The media wants us to believe that all incapacitations are equal.
A brain injury possibly affecting memory and cognition is not comparable to someone bedridden with two broken legs.
As long as there is any likelihood that Tim Johnson may recover, they will probably handle his absence by pairing him with a Republican senator. That's standard procedure, I believe.
50-49
Jeffords retired. He was replaced with Socialist Bernie Sanders.
Brain injury typically takes years to recover from. How long is SD to be with out a working Senator?
It will be interesting to watch that. My guess is a RINO would help the dems out and do the right "bipartisan" thing and vote for Johnson. :-)
Doesn't 50-49 win where you live?
What do you mean "pairing him with a Republican senator"?
Are you saying that we have to give one up too? Where does he go? Does he just do nothing?
If he can't vote it's 49-49.
If a senator can't make it to the chamber, they often agree to "pair" him with a senator of the opposite party for votes. I don't think it's obligatory. It has to be agreed, for mutual convenience.
Pairing is done when two Senators intend to vote the opposite way on an issue and both will be away. It has nothing to do, and never has, with what you suggest.
Doesn't 51-1=50 where you live?
I still don't know what you mean.
Does the GOP now have to have one semator sit out whatever Johnson misses?
Why?
sounds crazy
What happened to the independents?
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