Sen. Johnson Resting, Remains Critical

Washington Post ^ | December 16, 2006 | MARY CLARE JALONICK

[trumandogz]

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.

[BillyBoy]

>> 51 Dems/49 Pubs. If Johnson can't vote, 50 Dems/49 Pubs <<

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.

[Myrddin]

Do you recall the days when Gerry Brown was governor of California? Every time he went out of town, the Lt Gov Mike Curb would jump in and get some good legislation passed. It was most entertaining.

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.

[syriacus]

Do any of us think they would do the same if the roles were reversed?

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.

[Heff]

Doesn't 50-49 win where you live?

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.

[lawdude]

"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.