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 ...
Sen. Thurmond set the standard for how healthy a senator can be to serve by living in Walter Reed the last year or two of his final term.
If Johnson can't vote, it's actually 49 Republicans, 48 Dems, 2 Independants. We would hold a one seat majority over the Dems.
Unfortunately, the two "independants" would vote for a RAT leader, and thus the party in the minority would control the Senate. I hope all the Joe Lieberman worshippers on FR are happy they donated time and money to keep his butt in office instead of Talent/Allen/Burns, etc.
Though I do think if Johnson's condition doesn't improve, the Dems would have a MINO (Majority In Name Only). They'd technically run all the committees and have all the leadership positions, but if any Dem is absent at any given time, 49-49 votes would be broken by Dick Cheney.
I would love to see Cheney poised to do the same. The Rats will feel terribly oppressed and obligated to stay close to prevent votes where Cheney might step in.
Not I. Because of the Dems' penchant for dirty fighting, we've all learned a lot about the "ins and outs" of election law in the last 6 years.
No....not if majority is required. By definition, majority is 50% + 1.
They don't have majority. They have the plurality, not majority in a 50 to 49 vote.
"No....not if majority is required. By definition, majority is 50% + 1."
The majority referred to is the majority of actual votes, not the majority of possible votes.
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